i saw allen on the show last night and i wasn't impressed with his progress. going into the house the doctor wasn't sure how much weight allen lost but how could allen be weighed in bed at home without the proper equipment?
why isn't allen walking after 7 months? the doctor blamed allen's breasts but i don't agree with that. breasts don't affect balance or withstanding weight on his feet.

i think allen should never gone home after the surgery, he should have gone into a rehab that would work with him until he was walking.
good rehabs don't allow people to sit in bed for 7 months just lamely lifting hand weights in front of the camera. a good rehab facility would have him working all the time and his diet would be strictly watched. also, his mother wouldn't be there 24/7 to cater to him.
he would be strongly encouraged to do for himself or he would not remain in rehab.
i have been in rehab several times due to problems associated with ms and i know how good rehabs operate. they would not tolerate allen's sitting in bed all the time being waited on.

there was no mention of his working with austin or a real physical therapist and his not walking or standing was blamed on his breasts.
i don't think it was fair of the doctor to equate removing allen's breasts with people who have mastectomies due to having cancer. allen's breast problems are due to his weight, probable lack of activity and they will not kill allen as cancer will.

i do not think allen has the desire or motivation to get moving and get out of that bed. he seems perfectly content to be there, not working or getting himself out into the world to work and be a productive member of society.

why should you judge?

Your post seems a bit judgmental to me. Let's look at this a bit more objectively and fairly. Allen weighed more than 1,000 lbs at his top weight He had been bedridden for many years when the docs operated on him. Which means his leg muscles hadn't lifted much weight in years. Now he's down to 500 lbs, and while people who weigh that much can usually still walk, it's not the same as trying to lift that much weight on legs that haven't borne any weight in years. Having extra weight in sacks of loose skin hanging off him has to pose a problem with balance. Give the guy a break. I was really impressed with how motivated he is. Losing 500 lbs is a HELL of an achievement. If you've never been there, then don't judge someone who's living it.

Go, Allen! I'm proud of you!

Just a few things:

Some beds have scales in them, and can weigh the patient.

Allen at 500lbs is HALF of what he used to be. That is pretty dang impressive.

I think Dr. Garth used the term masectomy (sp?) so that the general poplulation could understand exactly what he wanted to do.

I have enough back pain with DD cups, I could not begin to imagine having around 30lbs on EACH side. 30!This has to cause pain and issues with balance.

Allen working out in his bed is more than he used to do. EVERY little bit helps. I bet that bit of workout in the bed is more than some of us do, and I include myself in that statement.

We are here to observe and learn. The Dr. D's are doing this to bring awareness, not more judgement.

I agree. Allen is an individual and you can't judge one person on what someone else can do. And if someone has large breast it can throw off your balance if they are swinging in the breeze.

My experience with gastric is different then anyone else and their experience is differnt then mine. That is why Doc's can use a set of rules for each patient but then they need to factor in the actual person's makeup.

If he has allot of support at home why no let him be there? I think I remember MJ saying the family would need to go thru therapy together.

So rock on Allen and don't let other's judgement discourage you.

i wonder why everyone was so upset when tiffany was sent home to that life of people not supporting her, people feeding her and allowing her to sit in bed all the time?

tinlady,

First of all, Allen's bed does happen to be the kind with a scale in it, which is exactly how he and Dr. Davis can know just how much weight he has lost.

Second, have you had 30 - 40 pounds of breast tissue hanging down the side of your body when you try to get up out of bed after not walking for more than 5 years? No? Then you have no idea how much of an impact that has on a person's ability to move and walk and cannot address fairly or accurately how that would feel or react when you try to walk.

There was no mention of Allen working with Austin because it's not "sexy" TV. The hard work that he is doing with Austin is getting him prepared to be able to support his weight on his legs. Austin designed a special device for Allen to use to work on getting strength back in his legs. That doesn't fit with what they think viewers want to see, so it doesn't make the show.

Rehab for MS and rehab for someone with obesity issues are clearly not the same. Each individual would have his or her own rehabilitation schedule and expectations, so to say that a "good rehab" would not "tolerate" Allen "sitting in bed all the time being waited on" is ridiculous. A good rehab facility would do what is best for the patient.

The comparison made by Garth to a mastectomy was so that people would understand the concept of what is going to be happening to Allen when he has surgery. The tissue being removed is the same tissue that is removed during a mastectomy...just much more of it.

To say that Allen does not have the desire or motivation to get moving and get out of bed is cold and harsh, not to mention completely unfair. If you listened to even one thing Allen said, you would understand how wrong you are about that. I know Allen personally, and he is very interested in getting out of bed and getting a "normal" life.

Allen has more character in his little finger than many people have in their entire being. He is a kind, loving man, and he has hopes and dreams for his future. The negative energy you put on this board against him is unforgivable.

I agree. The board doesn't need negative energy. However, the producers seem to have played up keeping Allen's progress secretive because he wasn't walking yet. It would have been better to show more of him (especially if they were going to use him as "bait" for this last show) and what and how he was doing. For everyone that thought he was surely walking by now, it was a huge disappointment if they had not followed the board when kvalera got us up to date recently that Allen was indeed not walking as yet.
I don't understand the breasts thing, either, though. If the breasts are hurting him (as he mentioned "because they pull" his skin on his chest) and he isn't walking yet. Why isn't he wearing a supportive shirt or banding so that they don't fall away and throw off balance? Seems like a simple solution to get them up and balanced and out of the way. Much like a woman's bra. Shoot, my breasts, if that heavy would be a problem. It's why we wear bras!
And, finally, I think that Allen is in need of a true nurse or physical therapist to work with. He's on oxygen, he's bed bound, and although his trainer may be doing some good, Allen is absolutely a bed bound patient in need of trained medical help. I'm surprised the show doesn't make sure they are covered in this area (legally). Bed bound patients are touchy to work with and if something happened to him, I'd hold the show responsible. My background is nursing and I'm totally surprised at this and how risky it is.
I wish him only good things, but I do believe people are not being as focused as they could be in his care.

I just want to know if I can have my breast removed, mine weigh at least 10lbs each. I have the biggest ones out of about 800 people where I work. I've had them since I was a child, and when I say them I mean big brest that stick out like a sore thumb. One thing I would like to know is the history of the air tube Allen has, I thought now that he's lost all this weight he could breathe on his own. I weigh more than he does if his weight is 500lbs and I have trouble breathing. Is there other issues causing Allen to have to use the tube?

quote:

Rehab for MS and rehab for someone with obesity issues are clearly not the same. Each individual would have his or her own rehabilitation schedule and expectations, so to say that a "good rehab" would not "tolerate" Allen "sitting in bed all the time being waited on" is ridiculous. A good rehab facility would do what is best for the patient.

kvalera,
obviously you have no experience with a rehab.
a good rehab does work for the good of the patient and it is not in the best interest of any patient to be in bed 24/7 for any length of time. how could anyone benefit by being in bed all the time?
after any surgery patients are urged to get out of bed to help healing, promote muscle tone and circulation besides preventing blood clots and bedsores.

allen did not even lift his head to speak to the doctor, let alone sit up in bed so how do you think he is doing his best to get out of bed?

I enjoyed Allen's comeback last night. I can't understand why some say he has made no progress. He was 1000 lbs and is now 500 lbs, I call that progress. He will weigh less when the skin that is left over is taken off. I can't even imagine how much discomfort he must be in with his breasts weighing so heavily on him. Dr. Garth said they weigh about 30 lbs. each. That will be a trememdous relief I'm sure.If the breasts weigh that much I can't imagine what the masses on his legs weigh. When those are removed, I'm sure it will be much easier to try walking. I am proud of him and I think he's doing great. Go Allen, one day at a time. God Bless!

they showed a clip of one of the doctors' visit and bid D and little d were both there and Allen was wearing clothes and they were trying to help him stand. I think I saw that episode but I can't remember if he ever stood up or not, I don't think he did then, but that doesn't mean he has been trying to get up. Only Allen and his family know if he is in bed all the time and if he is working to better himself, because all we see is a few minutes on TV and that is not enough to judge someone. I almost did that with Maryjo, I was watching her last night and almost called her the "b" word, but then I knew from watching all the time that it had to be the way the show was edited. She was only in one scene last night.

I meant Big D and little d not "bid D".
I've got to start proof reading better.

quote:

Only Allen and his family know if he is in bed all the time and if he is working to better himself, because all we see is a few minutes on TV and that is not enough to judge someone.

robbiejones,
how would allen be out of bed if he can't stand? does he use a wheelchair?

for those of you that did not see the show last night: Allen does not stand. Allen tried once at the beginning of the season and still cannot stand. They are blaming it on his large breasts and his condition. That was the update on this week's show.
Still no one is addressing why Allen is on oxygen, bed bound (still) and not under the care of a rehab unit or at least a trained physical/pulmonary therapist. Why, also, he is not wearing supportive garments (man-bra) to hold up his breasts (binding perhaps?)if they throw him off balance because they hang off to the side and weigh so much? (and hurt him as he said last night because they pull against his chest skin) If they were bound and lifted, couldn't he have a better chance to at least get up and balance before he makes it to surgery to remove them? As I calculate, he's been in bed (and no wheelchair), and didn't notice but from comments here also, doesn't really even sit up in bed, for nearly a year even though he's lost 500 pounds.
He certainly looks like he has a heart of gold, but if it's been a full television season since Dr. Davis saw him after that first stand attempt, he's been in bed for that entire time AND on oxygen. For Allen's sake, shouldn't someone that can deal with his many health problems be working with him regularly?
Or is this good T.V.? I just don't see how TLC doesn't think that the progress and care of Allen is not in their lap since they feature him and bait the audience about his appearance and update. If TLC is going to have a medical reality show, then get the medical professionals in there. Allen is not fully benefiting from simple fitness exercises while still on oxygen and bedbound. I believe that calls for the big guns. INCLUDING wheelchairs and re-hab. Allen has been where he is for awhile now, despite losing a lot of weight. Why is he still on oxygen? No one addresses that to the audience although we see him on oxygen. Why is there not a pulmonary specialist to see him?
I believe it's dangerous and libel for a television show to profit from an individual's medical status if they do so little to change the course. Where are the other physician specialities, physical therapists, etc. for this young man? Where is TLC's position in this? Dr. Garth is a bariatric surgeon. Where are the other doctors to address all the other problems Allen is dealing with?
That is what I want to know.

quote:

Originally posted by twestward:
Still no one is addressing why Allen is on oxygen, bed bound (still) and not under the care of a rehab unit or at least a trained physical/pulmonary therapist. For Allen's sake, shouldn't someone that can deal with his many health problems be working with him regularly?
... Allen is not fully benefiting from simple fitness exercises while still on oxygen and bedbound...Why is he still on oxygen? No one addresses that to the audience although we see him on oxygen.

Dr. Davis clearly addressed why Allen is still bed-bound. He has physical issues, including the lack of use of his legs for so many years as well as the incredible excess of skin on his chest, that prevent him from being able to get out of bed. His breathing is hampered by the pull of the weight of the excess skin on his chest. Imagine having 60 - 80 pounds pulling against your chest ( 30 - 40 pounds on each side ), and tell me if you would be able to breathe well without assistance.

Allen is much stronger now than he was previously because of his dedication to his program and his work with Austin. He has been very dedicated to his workouts, and he's putting in a lot of time and effort to improve his health.

Until any of us have been in his position (nearly 1000 pounds, bed-bound and on a trach), we are in no position to judge. He has made tremendous progress, he's kept a wonderful attitude, and he's moving bravely toward the next step in his journey. He's an amazing man, and his progress cannot be discounted by anyone!

quote:

Still no one is addressing why Allen is on oxygen, bed bound (still) and not under the care of a rehab unit or at least a trained physical/pulmonary therapist.

twestward,
your questions are interesting and i have asked those myself.
i imagine allen hasn't been tested by a pulmonary specialist because there isn't one to go to the house. that kind of testing can't be done in the home, i've had it done and it requires several large machines that aren't portable.

i think the rehab portion of his care is severely lacking probably due to money but i don't know for sure. no patient in the rehab setting would be in bed 24/7 regardless of the reasons. i've known people on breathing tubes who were in pt and ot daily- in the gym, not in bed. if those lungs aren't exercised they won't work properly.
people in rehab are urged to do as much as possible for themselves at every turn including as much dressing and washing as possible. i find it hard to believe that allen is doing at least that for himself. he would also be up in a wheelchair for varying amounts of time daily according to what he could tolerate. i've seen people who are in varying degrees of coma sitting in chairs, why not allen?

i've never seen a pt there and i don't think a person who is "certified in exercise" is qualified to do what a registered, college educated physical therapist can do.
where is the ot to help allen manage every day tasks such as washing, dressing, etc.?

why are the doctors so willing to operate again without testing allen in every area? the binding of his breasts could probably make a difference but i doubt they weigh 30 pounds each. will the stomach surgery be the next reason why allen can't walk? look at how many other patients on the show bigger than allen walk.

i am very interested in seeing allen get into the normal life he has never had, i.e. education, work, dating, etc. but how will he accomplish those in bed with people making excuses for him?

i also wonder what all this is costing american taxpayers? doctors, testing, surgery, exercise, etc. are very expensive and if he's never held a job he probably doesn't pay for insurance. the expense certainly isn't the main factor when a person's health is concerned but it should come into play just as it did with tiffany and others.

Perhaps you were writing of someone else, kvalera---I have not discounted Allen's progress. But anyone with any medical knowledge can look at Allen and see that he has many combined problems. And, although he may have made progress, I think its negligent of TLC to not see to a more rigorous rally of different specialties for his care. A breathing tube for that long, bed bound for that long, and I'm sure bedsores and infections for that long deserve the care of a regular internal medicine, pulmonologist, and physical therapist if everyone is truly behind Allen moving forward. The "update" showed improvement. But Allen is many, many complications and obviously could benefit from the knowledge of others, also.
I'm sorry if you find this conversation contrary to what you see as you see Allen one on one. But regardless, he is still bed bound, still on oxygen, still suffering all that that is besides being 500 pounds lighter. And TLC is profiting. They should step up. In my humble opinion. Allen deserves more and it is evident from the many people on this board that want to see him improve and get the TOTAL help he needs.

i did not discount allen's progress but i did not see much of it. he's in the same place, wearing the same tube he wore several months ago and not walking.

i think he's probably a nice person and kvalera is defending her friend, that's admirable but it won't get allen out of bed walking into the world.

the issues we've talked about are all valid and allen isn't getting the care he should be.
i wonder if kvalera is in bed too?

no one ever knew for sure how much allen weighed to begin with but the fact remains that he's in bed because of that weight. nothing can change that, even everyone's excuse that allens's legs are weak from being in bed. allen put himself there because he overate.

why is he on oxygen now the same as he was when he weighed so much more? has the volume decreased since his weight loss?

i think the doctors are very capable but they don't know all aspects of any illness or condition as evidenced by their lack of knowledge about rehab or pulmonary function. no doctor knows everything, that's why we have specialists who can look and advise. the entire medical community involved is doing allen a great disservice by ignoring other paths he could be using. i don't think tlc is as much to blame as they are not part of the medical profession.

kvalera is not in bed and is on the show (and knows Allen).
I would not blame TLC except that they have baited this forum with "news" of Allen and used his progress as a means to draw in viewers. They sell advertising time on the show and therefore, they profit. Regardless if it is a reality show.
I agree that a certified exercise specialist is not anywhere near qualified to address the problems of Allen at this point. It is obvious he needs rehab care because he is still in bed and on oxygen. And no, each breast does not weigh 30-40 pounds. Maybe 15 to 20 and they could be bound to keep him from hurting. And the breathing tube was not addressed as far as I heard regarding the breasts. I assume the breathing tube was initiated because of the force of weight on his chest hampering his breathing. With the weight loss, a pulmonolgist should be in or Allen brought to him to determine how soon he can get rid of that trach. Rehab comes in here. Bed cardio exercises and resistance tubes are fine. But why is he not having breathing issues addressed and other means of physical therapy?
TLC is making a profit off of these people. No doubt. Can they actually sit back and feature an individual and not bring in experts to address the obvious other ailments? Or do they bait the audience for another season (using a youngs man's health!) to wait for Allen to walk?
And precisely if Allen has not worked, he is being subsidized by us all. While TLC is making a profit on his story. They should contribute to Allen's care and get the ball rolling.

A number of people have asked why aren't there other doctors working with Allen. The show is only one hour long. I don't think they can show every day with Allen. They wouldn't have time to show anything else. We only see a very small portion of Allen's life. So we don't know what else is going on off-camera. For all we know, a different doctor is at his house every day checking on him and working with him.

Been reading all these posts and I do believe Allen is in much better condition than before. He can't stand because of all the excess skin on his legs. He tried that time he got dressed and everything, but he fell back on his bed. As far as all these doctors everyone is referring to, I doubt if his insurance, and I assume he has some, it probably won't pay it. If he is on Medicare, they allow some home visits, that's fine, but if he needs constant visits, Medicare will tell them he has to go to a facility, they will not pay for daily visits to a home. Been there and done that when my Mom had her stroke, I ended up having to take her to a nursing home. I believe Dr. Garth said he was sending a P.T. over and left saying he would see him in the hospital. Once those breasts are removed and the fat on his legs, he will be probably be over 100 pounds lighter and able to become ambulatory. Also keep in mind the doting mother he has and he is a mama's boy. She hovers over him endlessly and I'm sure the doctors have had to put up with alot with her. She thinks she is the only one that can take care of him and she is the one that got him in the condition he is in. Remember when we first saw Allen, you didn't see one shot that his mother wasn't in, even when he was in the hospital. I hope they continue with him for a while, can't wait to see him walk.