I AM A PATIENT OF DR GARTH DAVIS' AND I WAS IN HIS OFFICE LAST WEEK AND HE DID CONFIRM THAT NEW EPISODES WILL BE COMING OUT FOR APRIL SWEEPS LATER THIS MONTH. BIG MEDICINE IS A HUGE HIT AND IT TRULY IS HELPING PEOPLE. I'VE PUT MY LIFE IN HIS HANDS TWICE NOW. AND I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO AGAIN, BUT IF SOMETHING COMES UP, I WOULDN'T HESITATE TO COME TO HIM FOR HELP IN A HEARTBEAT. I TRUST HIM WITH MY LIFE...LITERALLY! HE, HIS STAFF AND THE TEAM AT THE WEIGHT MGMT CENTER ARE ALL SPECTACULAR AND TRULY CARE ABOUT THE TOTAL HEALTH CARE OF THEIR PATIENTS, PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. I'VE MET MANY OTHERS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME OPINION AS MYSELF. I'M CURRENTLY 6 MONTHS POST BYPASS AND HAVE LOST 128 LBS SO FAR. ALSO, I WAS SEEN IN A FEBRUARY EPISODE OF BIG MEDICINE. I AGREED TO SHARE MY STORY IN HOPES THAT OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES LIKE MINE COULD KNOW THAT THERE IS A BETTER LIFE OUT THERE. THERE IS HOPE!
YOU'RE WELCOME KEYDI. I HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM MANY PEOPLE WHO COULD RELATE TO MY STORY. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, HELPING OTHERS BY HELPING YOURSELF. TAMMY
TammyT, I think I remember seeing your episode. Congrats on your weight loss. I was wondering how much follow-up couseling you receive to help cope with any psychological issues after your surgery? I would imagine it's a rough emotional journey. I think I remember you meeting with Mary Jo in your episode, but how much do you recieve afterwards? Just curious, thanks.
Anteup, thanks for the support! Yes, I did meet w/ Mary Jo several times before and after surgery. I actually just met w/ her yesterday on my 6 month follow up. I've been seeing a private therapist for several years now, and that's been my primary source of support. However, my therapist recently retired, so I'm going to be seeing Mary Jo for a few private visits until the next post surgical group she runs starts up in a couple of months. Actually, the first few months after surgery weren't that difficult. I had more issues w/ nutrition than I did emotions. It's only recently that the emotions have started playing a big issue in my recovery. You loose 30-40 lbs, not so big of a deal...loose 130, BIG DEAL! Everything changes, your relationships w/ family and friends and just the way you are viewed and treated by total strangers. I definitely think proper counseling is extremely important. I don't think I would have been this successful so far w/o all of the support you get w/i the program that Methodist offers.
Well, I forgot to mention that when I was meeting w/ Mary Jo on Monday, she did mention that the show was apparently NOT going to be coming back to TLC. She said that there are at least 4 more episodes that are finished but not going to air. Not really sure why because the show was so popular. She indicated that there is a possiblility that another network my buy the rights to the show. Let's keep our fingers crossed! The show is wonderful and truly helps a lot of people.
I am so disappointed that "Big Medicine" has not been on Wednesday nights. I don't get to watch TV much, and it is one of the few (as in like 4) shows that I actually make time to watch. I think the patient's are so wonderful, genuine and open about their struggles and intimate feelings and their triumphs. Can anyone tell me why it has not been on? Is TLC crazy? It is the one of the only shows I have ever seen where I feel like the people actually are for the most part honest about themselves and what they are doing, the doctors, Mary Jo and the patients. I'd give my left arm (so to speak) to have WLS and if I could, I would see the Drs. Davis in a heartbeat. At least I got to watch other people's successes in the weight loss struggle. PLEASE, TLC, put this show back on the air. And to everyone who has told their personal story on Big Medicine, you are wonderful people and very inspiring. KP
I don't think that TLC cancelled this program, I think it cancelled itself. The last show I saw several weeks ago, was one of the new episodes. You know how at the end they show the previews of next weeks show? Well, they did and you saw them in an operating room and all you heard was the father saying no, no, it's not going to work we won't be able to do that. Or words to that effect. It sounded like a serious problem. After that, that last of the new shows, but 2 reruns came the next 2 weeks and the show has not been heard from since. Doesn't that tell anyone that they don't have a perfect record anymore? Doesn't that tell Garth he is not the greatest doctor, as he proclaims. I know some of you have had work done by them, but you saw what you were supposed to see and heard what you were supposed to hear. You all have to admit, they are two of the most egotistical men on TV. I know some of you won't agree with my thinking, but if you don't. Where is the program? This is not life saving surgery. Ask the families of the people that have had the surgery and are no longer here. Ask the people who suffer daily because they cannot eat properly, and especially ask the people that have gained their weight back. No one knows the long term effects of this surgery. I doubt if anyone ever will, they will just finally stop doing it. Just take a look at Carnie Wilson, she started all this, and now she's a big tub of lard! I'll stop now, make up your own minds, and hopefully you make the right decision. Good Luck!
TOOTBUC - I'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS CHAT FORUM FOR MUCH LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN IT. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, YOU ARE OBESE, BUT HAVE NOT HAD SURGERY OR PLAN TO. YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT THE SURGERY ALONE IS NOT A "FIX" FOR OBESITY, IT IS A "TOOL" AS ALWAYS INDICATED IN THE TV SHOW BY BOTH DRS. DAVIS. THE SURGERY ALONG W/ THE COUNSELING AND LIFE CHANGING PATTERNS BY THE PATIENTS MAKE THE SURGERY SO SUCCESSFUL, AND YES IT DOES SAVE LIVES! I HAVE FOUND YOU TO BE A VOICE THAT SEES THINGS FROM MORE THAN ONE POINT OF VIEW, AND I APPRECIATE THAT. I TOO TRY TO VIEW THINGS THE SAME WAY. EVERY PATIENT WHO HAS SURGERY HAS CONTROL OF THEIR OWN DESTINY ON HOW SUCCESSFUL THEIR WEIGHT LOSS WILL BE. AND YES, YOU CAN GAIN WEIGHT BACK...ESPECIALLY IF YOU AREN'T EATING THE RIGHT FOODS AND NOT PRACTICING PORTION CONTROL. IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ALL PATIENTS TO CONTINUE IN A PROGRAM TO KEEP ON TRACK WITH IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. AS FAR AS THE PATIENTS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES, IT IS SO TRAGIC. I CAN ALMOST ASSURE YOU THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAD MULTIPLE CO-MORBIDITIES THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR DEATHS. BUT I HAVE TO ADMIRE THEM, AT LEAST THEY WERE TAKING CHARGE OF THE PROBLEM AND TRYING TO LIVE! TRY TO SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL AND YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT HOW LIFE CAN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
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First of all miss tammyt, I am not obese. My BMI is 30!!!!!!!!! Me pessimistic, why, because I speak the truth. Where is the program, what happened to it, where are they hiding. That is what I was talking about in my post. Judge not, lest you be judged! Your opinion is appreciated, your judgement of someone you know nothing about, is not. Respect: Expect nothing more and accept nothing less! Also, in your post, for the most part, you echo what I said. So what's the problem. BTW, I see all your posts are all capitol letters. Why do you feel you have to shout to be heard?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
Originally posted by tootbuc: Judge not, lest you be judged!
Isn't that just what you did in your post when you wrote, "Just take a look at Carnie Wilson, she started all this, and now she's a big tub of lard!"?
Regardless, Garth and Robert Davis are FAR from egotistical. They are very down to earth, very straight forward and very caring men. I've never seen a doctor who cares so much about patients or who goes so far out of their way to take care of the whole person. I am really mystified at how they could be seen as egotistical.
As far as the show not being shown due to a tragedy in the Davis practice, I do not have first hand knowledge of whether or not anything has happened to a patient. What I DO know, however, is that if something tragic were to happen in their practice, they would never try to hide it. That is not their nature.
So....I just couldn't sit around and watch the docs be bashed and see wild speculation continue to get out of hand. Garth and Robert are just amazing, kind and wonderful men who care about the people they take care of.
Kim, I think you are a terrific person, I've said that in another earlier post. However, what I said about Carnie was not judging, it was fact. She has gained almost all her weight back. As far as the doctors, what I said is my opinion of what I see on the program. I see egotism. You see them in a different light. Anyone who says he's the greatest doctor in the world, is egotistic. Garth said that, it's on tape. Again, I hope you are doing well and I admire what you have done. Anyone who helps kids has my vote. Stay healthy, be happy. This is what these forums are about, opinions. I'd like to see the program back on, I like it. I'd love to see updates. Allen, Marc, the gentleman that fired the doctors then rehired them. He was the one they wanted to lose more weight. Can't remember his name. Anyway, thanks for posting, it's nice to talk to you again. Take care.
That's terrific. I really wasn't sure if they were reruns, but when they mentioned Allen, I thought they were. Glad they are not, but why show them all in one night. Have to put on the VCR and tape them. Thanks for the info.
toothbuc: Carnie Wilson has given birth since her surgery.. and she is no where near her starting weight of 310 lbs. So in effect she is still a success.
Carnie Wilson is very courageous and she is not a tub of lard. She will always be a beautiful woman no matter what size she is. I admire her for exposing herself to all the criticism from obesity prejudiced people. And I admire her for giving hope to those of us who are morbidly obese.
For all of you who are concerned about the absence of Big Medicine and erratic scheduling. There are NO TRAGEDIES. We are pleased to report continued and wonderful success. To presume that tragedy has occurred resulting in the end of our shows is simply not true and in my opinion is quite nasty. The truth of the situation is that whoever runs TLC decided to suspend the show for no reason that I am aware of. I was not told about this until all of a sudden there was no Big Medicine on Wednesday nights. It had been replaced by marathons of repeats of other not very interesting shows. No explanation or discussion. It seems that TLC then noticed that they had several unscreened completed episodes in their possession. So apparently, they have decided to show them one after another on May 18th (see their schedule - it may change) It actually does not matter what we feel - we only appear on the show because we think that it helps patients to understand surgery and how much help it can be for those unfortunate enough to be morbidly obese. It is time that those who do not understand the plight of these people change their minds and attitudes. I draw your attention to a segment aired 2 weeks ago on "60 minutes". This was a most complimentary comment on Bariatric Surgery noting the remarkable resolution of type 2 diabetes with bypass surgery. "60 minutes" on CBS is a highly respected journalistic program that is noted more for addressing criticism rather than praise, Kudos to them. As far as TLC is concerned, I think that they have decided to suspend medical programs, however if you think that Big Medicine is a valuable resource and you would like to see more, then let them know. Best wishes to you all, Robert Davis
thank you , dr davis , for clearing up that awfull gossip out there. i for one hope they bring back your show it was great and very inspirational. your son and you are so fun to watch and what you do is wonderful keep up the good work changing and extending peoples lives.
Originally posted by robdoc: I draw your attention to a segment aired 2 weeks ago on "60 minutes". This was a most complimentary comment on Bariatric Surgery noting the remarkable resolution of type 2 diabetes with bypass surgery. "60 minutes" on CBS is a highly respected journalistic program that is noted more for addressing criticism rather than praise, Kudos to them. Best wishes to you all, Robert Davis
Dr Davis, thanks for clearing this up - I appreciate it.
With regards to the 60 minutes show on gastric bypass, there were several misleading statements. For example, the Swedish Obesity study found that at the 10 year point, only 35 percent of diabetics were "disease free" so "60 minutes" declaring it's a cure using new op patients could be misleading.
Furthermore, even the AMA in JAMA did not commit themselves to long term "cures" for diabetes. to wit:
**** >>>>" Short-term outcomes are impressive-patients undergoing bariatric surgery maintain more weight loss compared with diet and exercise. Comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes can be reversed. But long-term consequences remain uncertain. Issues such as whether weight loss is maintained and the long-term effects of altering nutrient absorption remain unresolved."<<<<<<
1762-JAMA, April 9, 2003-VoL 289, No. 14
And it's a known fact that ANY fast such as gastric bypass patients do the first few months after surgery, will greatly reduce the blood sugar levels especially in diabetics diagnosed less than 10 years ago. In fact, in Weight Watchers, they have observed that even on a very "sensible diet" like that, most diabetics experience a great reduction in blood sugar levels.
The next thing I felt misleading about the show is that NO complications were discussed. No reactive hypogylcemia, no anemia requiring iron infusions etc. The patients appeared to be less than 1 year post op and that could be misleading about the real amount of weight re-gain with the gastric bypass. The following study in 2006 found that at the 10 year point, 34 percent of patients had regained all or most of the weight:
***Annals of Surgery. 244(5):734-740, November 2006. Christou, Nicolas V. MD, PhD; Look, Didier MD; MacLean, Lloyd D. MD, PhD Abstract: Objective: To complete a long-term (>10 years) follow-up of patients undergoing isolated roux-en-Y gastric bypass for severe obesity.****
The Swedish Obesity study found at the 10 year point that the average weight loss retention among the patients was 16 percent of the original weight.
Many patients objected to the "60 minutes" show because they felt it did not give a balanced picture of gastric bypass.
That's what I liked about your show... you folks DID give a very balanced picture of the surgery and I thought that was wonderful. Now that your show is not on the air, I worry about how patients are going to get that balanced picture. I have already met people who had chosen the bypass based on the 60 minutes show...
I will be sure to let TLC know that they should not cancel "BIG MEDICINE"... I thought the show was wonderful...
I was just on ObesityHelp.com and people are saying that after tonights episodes of BIG MEDICINE that it is being taken off the Air!!! Is this true?? I love this show and it is so helpful to us Weight Loss surgery people.. I had an Open RNY on 2/6/07 and my total weight loss is almost up to 200 lbs and i still need to lose about 55 more or so.. My name is Susie Smith and I live in PA.. If this rumor is true that Big Medicine is not coming back on--What can we do to get it back on the air?? We NEED this kind of show and the surgeons are so excellent on here.. I see that someone on here said that its Sweeps that why they are on a few times with new episodes.. Does it depend on how they do with the ratings--This show has to be sky rocketing in the Ratings tho--there are so many of us people who have had the surgery.. I do Tibo it tho--i wonder if this is hurting the ratings... Lets not let this show go off the air and if you are a patien of the Surgeons PLZ tell them we need Them on TV to help us--I still need to watch the show as I learn something new everytime i watch an episode! So what does everyone else say about this and do you know whats going on with the show???????????
God Bless you All in your weight loss journeys SUSIEQ from PA
I agree, I don't understand why a program that is so obviously a hit is being treated like it's in the way. Loved the 4 episodes tonight. Have to admit, I truly loved seeing Allen taking his first steps in 7 years. Hope he continues doing well. One thing that I saw after the fourth episode, the previews featured a whole family that needed the surgery, someone from last year and someone that needed the skin removed. Yet, the next episode was one of the ones they already showed. I'm hoping they have more shows and will be back. I have seen them on Discovery Health channel. Maybe they can come back there. I wish we could get some facts that can enlighten us about what will happen.
