[LeighHop]

Hello Everyone -

I've been pretty fascinated with Big Medicine on TLC. It follows people though various stages of gastric bypass surgery. The commercials for tonight's episode show a 30 year old woman who is really having a tough time coping with seeing herself as she is, after her weight loss. I thought it might be interesting to watch for those of us who struggle with body image issues.

It is on a 9/8 central.

[Jpye]

Hey thanks so much! I have caught a couple of the Big Medicine shows recently and I really like them. Is this a new show or has it been around a while? Because I am just now discovering it. I will definitely watch it. Is there anything online about the progress of the patients on the show after it's taped? I would like to know how Allen's progress is going! (The 600 or 700 pound guy who had been stuck in a bed for like 7 years).

[shrinkingchica]

I find the show interesting for the plastic surgeries issues as well. That comprises nearly 1/3 of the entire show!!
It is really interesting to see how the patients grapple with their weight problems and make this very drastic decision.
I like the show also because I can (obviously) relate to those who are dealing with a weight problem, lose weight and then deal with the after effects (plastic surgery, postive/negative body image, ect.).
I never had any weight loss surgery (though I am sure some of my neighbors, ect. think I have) but nevertheless I find this programme interesting because there is more too it than that.

[LeighHop]

Originally Posted by Jpye

Hey thanks so much! I have caught a couple of the Big Medicine shows recently and I really like them. Is this a new show or has it been around a while? Because I am just now discovering it. I will definitely watch it. Is there anything online about the progress of the patients on the show after it's taped? I would like to know how Allen's progress is going! (The 600 or 700 pound guy who had been stuck in a bed for like 7 years).

Well, I took a look around the TLC site and I couldn't find any info on the patients, but perhaps I just wasn't thorough enough. They did have a link looking for potential cases for Season 2. I thought is was a little strange, it seems like they would have enough cases of their own to make for good TV. I'd hate for the show to turn into some kind of Extreme Makeover type thing.

I think the show has maybe been on about 6 times. The first one was at the end of May.

The only thing that sort of worries me about the show is how the docs don't really seem to put enough emphasis on what the psychologist is saying. I think she really has some good points, but their answer (I suppose predictably) is just to go ahead with surgery. I am starting to hear more and more about people who have had it done only to gain the weight back again. I hope they show that part of this issue as well or else this can continue to seem like a magic bullet for some folks.