Back to Big Medicine

I was a little discouraged with the "reality" of the show.  A lot of focus was on the doctors.   For instance, they left the impression that the "doctors" approve the surgery over the insurance companies.  We are truly at the mercy of the insurance companies here.  2nd there was too much emphasis put on sex.  The doggone dr. that did the phych evals was a sex therapist.  What's up with that?  And then she had the nerve to say our greatest reward with this surgery  is better sex.  I tend to lean towards less PAIN and suffering, being able to go up and down stairs, personal hygiene.  And that girl Penelope, out drinking in clubs at six months out?  Bragging about sex??? And did she really look like she had lost much weight?  She looked the same to me.  And then the doctors arguing in the operating room on how to do the surgery?  Now that was scary to me.  I know it's early in the morning here and I may sound a little cynical, but my reality is a whole lot different than that show.  JMHO Blessings, Diane

I was at a dern BBQ and missed the show... I keep checking to see when it will be on again!!

Hey Jen, I believe it is every Monday night at 9 p.m. on TLC. I work 2nd.... but will tape it! Diane

I agree that the approach was a little different, I think they're trying to make it interesting for the long haul.  If they do it straight documentary style, without personalizing it, it won't last very long, imo.  She did look like she'd lost a fair bit for only 6 months out to me, she was 360 when she started and didn't have that much on her face and neck.  I thought that at her full weight, she was quite good at packaging herself to hide how big she was. Anyway, I agree that sex isn't the greatest reward, but it's a darn good one.  That was very high on my "What I'm Looking Forward To" list.  It's already better too.   We're all different and are doing this for different reasons/rewards.  I do think that the therapist was a little er... weird.  As far as her drinking alcohol six months out, was that alcohol?  She might have been drinking virgin stuff to fit in with her friends.  Whether or not it was alcoholic, she shouldn't have been drinking out of a straw. I am keeping a wait and see attitude on this show, I do hope they don't make it too cheesy or soapish.  We'll see how they do next week. Take care. Ellen

I caught only part of the show.  I agree that the story about the girl ,Penelope, was exagerated or distorted.  However, the part about the bed ridden man and his parents was really touching.  He definitely could benifit from the surgery.  And, I thought the shrink got it right that the mother was going to be the big problem. She essentially enabled her son's weight issues even though it was obvious she loved him.   

I tend to agree with Dianne.  I thought it was too light hearted.  What about all the pre-op appointments most of us had to endure not to mention the agonizing wait for insurance approval? They made it seem like one day you just decide to have WLS and voila -- the magical phone call saying "Guess what -- you are approved!"    I believe that anyone who hasn't really started researching this yet will get the wrong impression.  Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno.  I will probably watch it at least a couple more times just to see if it improves any but I have to say I wasn't very impressed with the first episode.  Just my thoughts. . . Donna