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00:00:00Food is the only thing I have left to look forward to.
00:00:11I can feel my body breaking down.
00:00:15I have to change.
00:00:22These surgeries represent freedom.
00:00:25I'm risking everything for a chance to have a future.
00:00:30I have a lot of lost time to make up for.
00:00:39I can breathe so much better now.
00:00:43I never would have believed I'd be capable of this.
00:00:48You only lost four pounds? What's going on with that?
00:00:51I don't know.
00:00:52You ready for your big surgery?
00:00:54Both boys are terrified that Michael's not going to wake up again.
00:00:57Starting the first incision.
00:01:00I dread waking up in his body every morning.
00:01:09And the stuff I have to go through just to have a normal day is painful on every level.
00:01:14At the size that I'm at now, I can still get around.
00:01:17But it's difficult.
00:01:21My family has a compound here in Condor, Texas.
00:01:24I mostly help out with the family by babysitting and teaching my sister's kids.
00:01:29What does this mean?
00:01:31Patty Pig picks peppers to sell at the market.
00:01:34Help Patty track her peppers.
00:01:36Okay.
00:01:37Okay.
00:01:38Good.
00:01:39Every day they have the tables and have their breakfast.
00:01:41Food is a highlight of my day.
00:01:45I make a lot of it because I have to feed my sister's kids.
00:01:48But also because food is my happy place and kind of always has been.
00:01:53God is great.
00:01:54God is great.
00:01:55God is great.
00:01:56You guys thank you for our food.
00:01:57For our food.
00:01:57Amen.
00:01:58And I know that my weight is contributing to my depression.
00:02:01And I still can't stop eating.
00:02:11I'm really, I'm still nervous, so.
00:02:14You can do this.
00:02:15I've seen you drop enormous amount of weight for football.
00:02:18You know, this is for your life.
00:02:46Lucas?
00:02:48It's almost been five years since I stepped on the scale.
00:02:53I'm hoping that I'm still somewhere in the mid-500s.
00:02:55And that I'm not worse off than I've been thinking this whole time.
00:03:06Your weight is 619.
00:03:09Hello.
00:03:10How y'all doing?
00:03:11Okay.
00:03:12All right, sir.
00:03:12How you doing?
00:03:13Good.
00:03:14So you've been overweight for a while.
00:03:16What is going on with your eating habits?
00:03:18When I feel stressed or anxiety, I tend to eat.
00:03:22What are you willing to do to change all that?
00:03:24I'm willing to change everything, sir.
00:03:33We're going to have P.E.
00:03:34Y'all ready for P.E.?
00:03:35Okay.
00:03:36I'll meet you guys outside, okay?
00:03:38Today's when I have to watch the kids.
00:03:40I'm trying to get some exercise as part of their P.E. class.
00:03:43Come on, we're going to do jebby jacks like that.
00:03:46Okay.
00:03:47That's really hard for me.
00:03:48We're going to do 10 of those, all right?
00:03:49One, two, three, four, five, six.
00:03:55And it's going good.
00:03:56Eight, nine, ten.
00:03:59Okay.
00:04:00Can one of y'all give me the chair over there?
00:04:03Are you okay?
00:04:05I'll be fine, man.
00:04:07All right, who's ready for lunch?
00:04:08Me!
00:04:09I've been counting calories the way Dr. Nau said to in his book.
00:04:134.5 ounces for nine pieces of chicken.
00:04:17So how many calories is that?
00:04:19That's 167 calories.
00:04:21Are you good with that?
00:04:22That should be pretty good.
00:04:23You can afford that?
00:04:24Yeah.
00:04:25Lucas, you can step on the scale.
00:04:29Okay.
00:04:31Dr. Nau told me to lose 30 pounds.
00:04:34So if I did that, I should be under 589 right now.
00:04:38And I really hope that I am because I can't take a big failure right now.
00:04:46Yes.
00:04:47Way to go.
00:04:49All right, I see that you lost some weight.
00:04:52Yes, sir.
00:04:53And as happy as I am to see your progress,
00:04:56the reality is you haven't been sticking to just 1200 calories
00:05:00because you would have lost three times what you did if you had.
00:05:05So what I want you to do is show me that you're going to at least stick
00:05:09with what you're doing now.
00:05:11You think you can do that?
00:05:12Oh, I can do that, sir.
00:05:21Today I'm meeting with a trainer at a gym.
00:05:23Hey, Kimberly.
00:05:24Are you ready to get some of that weight off?
00:05:25Mm-hmm.
00:05:26Okay.
00:05:27So we're going to try to get your arms out in front of you, so we'll see.
00:05:29There you go.
00:05:30Kind of a little bit far forward.
00:05:31Two.
00:05:32Okay.
00:05:33Three.
00:05:33Let's go to that right here and keep tension.
00:05:35Four.
00:05:37Five.
00:05:37Feel a burn yet?
00:05:40Very good.
00:05:40Good stuff.
00:05:45There you go.
00:05:46Yep.
00:05:48You feeling a burn?
00:05:49My first workout in a couple years, it was tough, but I managed to push through.
00:05:54I know scales don't lie according to Dr. Now, but I worked really hard to lose the weight,
00:06:02and I don't want to disappoint him.
00:06:03I don't want to get a yelling from him, so hopefully I lost enough.
00:06:09Go ahead and step on the scale when you're ready.
00:06:11At my last appointment, I weighed 590 pounds, and Dr. Now told me to lose 60 pounds, so if
00:06:17I did that, then I should weigh 530 or less today, and I'm just praying that I did that
00:06:22so I can get approved for weight loss surgery.
00:06:24So now that you've lost weight and you stay focused, I'm going to approve you for weight
00:06:34loss surgery.
00:06:42I see him later.
00:06:44Yeah.
00:06:49Put that on the table over there.
00:06:52It's a huge, long stomach.
00:06:54Okay, we can switch your room up.
00:06:57Lucas is going to be able to lose weight much easier with this operation.
00:07:12Hey, John, I'm here, man.
00:07:13Hey, good morning.
00:07:15It hasn't even been a year yet, and it's awesome to see how much my life has changed.
00:07:20My sister has been hiring a babysitter, and that has freed me up to get my own real job,
00:07:26and I haven't been feeling depressed nearly as much.
00:07:29I struggle some, but it's a lot better now.
00:07:32I've got to remember that this is a process.
00:07:34I'm going to have to work at it.
00:07:39So, Lucas, how are you getting along?
00:07:42Doing pretty good, sir.
00:07:44Good.
00:07:44You're doing good.
00:07:45And if you stay on track, in about three months, probably getting 300, and that time,
00:07:51we're going to take a look and see what is the potential for getting some extra skin on.
00:07:55Can't wait.
00:07:56I really can't wait.
00:07:56A month ago, I got really close to being in the 300s.
00:08:21But in my last appointment, I gained a little, just about six pounds.
00:08:25But it was the first time, since surgery, I've gained.
00:08:29And I think it's because I started skipping workouts and snacking a little at work.
00:08:34I was hoping to get skin removal, but Dr. Now told me I need to start going to therapy.
00:08:41But I haven't had the chance to do that yet because of work.
00:08:55I've lost over 200 pounds so far, and I want to keep doing what I have to, to lose all the weight.
00:09:01And I'm working hard to get down to the 300s by my next appointment.
00:09:05Seeing that I can lose the weight when I follow Dr. Now's plan has made me determine not to mess things up
00:09:16and get all the skin removals I need.
00:09:19And Dr. Now said I need to be in a low 300s for that.
00:09:22So that's what I'm going to work hard to get down to.
00:09:25I'm determined to do what I need.
00:09:27Because I'm not going back like I was ever again.
00:09:32Just basic things are so hard for me now because of my size.
00:10:02It is an extremely painful way to go through life.
00:10:05I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, having to carry this much weight on them.
00:10:10And my wife has to help me out most of the time.
00:10:14You know, powder me up like a baby on the bed.
00:10:17Oh, oh baby.
00:10:20Michael is my soulmate.
00:10:21I would do anything for him.
00:10:23Michael gets very self-conscious, and I tell him that he can be a caregiver sometimes,
00:10:28and I can be a caregiver sometimes.
00:10:32I love eating, but I hate how it's basically destroyed my life already.
00:10:40And I still don't want to stop because of how food makes me feel.
00:10:43So what are you thinking?
00:10:54Today's my judgment day.
00:10:56This is it.
00:10:57I'm going with Michael to see Dr. Now, and I'm hoping that my husband will get his life back.
00:11:03This is a chance for me to save my life.
00:11:06I just hope that Dr. Now says he can help me.
00:11:08Michael?
00:11:16It's been a really long time since I've gotten my weight checked.
00:11:19But I know I have to be at or over 600.
00:11:24I'm just hoping it's not up to anything like the 700s, because that'll devastate me if I see that.
00:11:29So, Michael, you're over 600 pounds.
00:11:40So what seems to be the biggest challenge with your eating habit?
00:11:44At some point, I think maybe it became a defense mechanism.
00:11:47I'm going to set you to see a therapist and see if they can help you.
00:11:52And this is the only way we can get you out of this situation.
00:12:02So welcome.
00:12:03So, Michael, tell me a little bit about yourself.
00:12:06What was your childhood like?
00:12:07Any major experiences?
00:12:09When I was about 10 or 11, camp leader, like to indulge in young boys.
00:12:14I think that's when I started really hating people in general.
00:12:17I want to find a way for you to communicate with that group leader.
00:12:23And the letter might say something like, you know, you've kept me down too long, and I'm done with that.
00:12:29And then what do you do with that letter?
00:12:32Burn it.
00:12:33And the act of burning it is symbolic, right?
00:12:36Claim your power, right?
00:12:37Mm-hmm.
00:12:38Do you feel like staying out here for this hatred?
00:12:46You know what?
00:12:47I think that you need someone just to say it to.
00:12:51Dear you, you know who you are.
00:12:55You tormented me.
00:12:56You have done your damage and left your mark.
00:13:00Now you are banished to the flames.
00:13:04Normally we do this endoscopy when everybody's approved for surgery.
00:13:19But in your case, we're going to do it now to see how the things are.
00:13:23Okay.
00:13:23That's a good stomach, huh?
00:13:41Well, he does have a hydrohoney, huh?
00:13:43Okay, we can remove the endoscope.
00:13:46The bad news is that with all surgery may not be enough.
00:13:49With all the scar tissue and the honey you have,
00:13:51what the good news is we may be able to fix the hernia.
00:13:55Then we will have opportunity to make weight loss surgery possible for you.
00:14:00Okay.
00:14:00But before any of this is possible,
00:14:03you need to lose 100 pounds over three months.
00:14:05You think you can do that?
00:14:07I have no choice.
00:14:08I have to.
00:14:10Great.
00:14:10We'll get you there.
00:14:12All right.
00:14:12I appreciate it.
00:14:13Can you grab my chair, please?
00:14:27I'm ready to make some big changes in my life.
00:14:30I decided to take all the bad food in this house and burn it down.
00:14:35You know, doing that is long overdue.
00:14:37Can I throw something in?
00:14:39Of course.
00:14:42Pull them out and burn them.
00:14:44Which forces me to find other ways to get comfort
00:14:46because it can't be food anymore.
00:14:51It's all burning away.
00:14:58How you doing?
00:14:59Good.
00:15:00And you're?
00:15:01Michael.
00:15:01Michael.
00:15:02Nice to meet you, Michael.
00:15:03How long has it been since you trained?
00:15:0420 years.
00:15:0420 years.
00:15:05Mm-hmm.
00:15:06Okay.
00:15:06Well, believe it or not,
00:15:07you're going to get to where you want to get.
00:15:09Have a chance to get back to martial arts?
00:15:11I find balance.
00:15:12I find my center.
00:15:15Two, one, time.
00:15:18I'm walking out of here just with a rekindled sense of purpose.
00:15:27Michael?
00:15:28Kimberly and I are at Dr. Now's for another appointment.
00:15:31And I'm hoping I'm close to that 150-pound overall goal
00:15:34the doctor now gave me.
00:15:36And I'm about to see if I did that.
00:15:44Because of you, babe.
00:15:46I knew you could do it.
00:15:49All right.
00:15:49So, Michael, up to this point,
00:15:51you have lost about 135 pounds.
00:15:54So I think that's close enough
00:15:55to what you need to lose for us to go ahead.
00:15:57We're doing an endoscopy,
00:15:59see if it's going to be possible to fix the hernia
00:16:01and do preparation for weight loss surgery.
00:16:05That sounds good?
00:16:06That sounds incredible.
00:16:08Yes, thank you.
00:16:09We have an appointment today.
00:16:33What's that?
00:16:34This is Michael.
00:16:34Nice to meet you.
00:16:36Nice to meet you.
00:16:36Can't wait to get in.
00:16:37Okay.
00:16:38All right.
00:16:39So does he just need to change?
00:16:40He just needs to change.
00:16:41Okay.
00:16:44Kimberly is taking me swimming
00:16:45so I can get a workout in.
00:16:47She suggested that I start going to a pool
00:16:50a few times a week
00:16:50so I could get water therapy with a coach
00:16:52to help me build up some strength in my legs.
00:16:55You know, once Dr. Now told me
00:16:56that there was a slight chance
00:16:58that maybe something could happen.
00:17:00You know, I really buckled down,
00:17:03just got on it,
00:17:04started doing the recommended exercises.
00:17:07All right.
00:17:08Yes.
00:17:09Do this.
00:17:10I feel good physically
00:17:12and it's paying off.
00:17:15So first we're going to just roll
00:17:16your shoulders behind you.
00:17:17Okay.
00:17:17Good.
00:17:18Keep your chest up.
00:17:18If your feet can touch the pool bottom,
00:17:20make sure you press your entire feet down.
00:17:21Yep.
00:17:22Set them nice and tall.
00:17:22You're good.
00:17:23Nice.
00:17:23Give me four more.
00:17:24This has been a great idea
00:17:26and Kim's been right by my side,
00:17:29rooting for me
00:17:29and pushing me to work as hard as I can.
00:17:31Now bring those on forward.
00:17:33Give me four.
00:17:34Nice.
00:17:34Give me three.
00:17:36Good.
00:17:36I'm very proud of Michael.
00:17:37He's doing so well
00:17:39and it's just,
00:17:40it's amazing to me
00:17:42to see this,
00:17:43this growth with him.
00:17:44It's like I got my husband back.
00:17:47I've never been able
00:17:48to do anything like this before
00:17:50because of my agoraphobia.
00:17:52So it feels good going out regularly.
00:17:54My shoulders on as forward
00:17:55as you jump.
00:17:55You got it.
00:17:56Come on.
00:17:56Let's go.
00:17:58I wish I could get back
00:17:59to doing more martial arts
00:18:00for my workouts.
00:18:02I'm still at a point
00:18:03where it's too hard on my joints
00:18:04because of my size.
00:18:06But my goal right now
00:18:07is getting back to doing that
00:18:08more consistently
00:18:09after I lose the weight.
00:18:13But you know,
00:18:14I might be able to do that
00:18:15faster than I thought.
00:18:16So give me a side kick and a punch.
00:18:18Come back down to center.
00:18:19Switch.
00:18:19Nice.
00:18:20Okay, you're ready.
00:18:20Let's go.
00:18:21The plan was to have my hernia fixed
00:18:23then get weight loss surgery.
00:18:25But after going over
00:18:26the results of the test
00:18:27in more detail,
00:18:28Dr. Now said it would be better
00:18:30to do the weight loss surgery first
00:18:31as long as I lose
00:18:33another 30 pounds.
00:18:34So I was ecstatic
00:18:35when he told me that.
00:18:36And right now,
00:18:37I'm working my butt off
00:18:38to get to my goal next month.
00:18:40Good job.
00:18:41Very good.
00:18:42Because I know a better life
00:18:44isn't too far ahead for me now
00:18:45if I just keep working
00:18:47to do better
00:18:48and lose the weight.
00:18:49And I'm really excited about it.
00:18:51It was awesome.
00:18:52I talked to Dr. Now about
00:19:07the goals I want to go.
00:19:08I talked about the weight goal
00:19:09that he wants.
00:19:10He said,
00:19:11just to reconfirm,
00:19:12he did say that he expects
00:19:1420 to 30 pounds a month.
00:19:16I think as long as I'm showing
00:19:17that I'm still on the diet
00:19:18and I'm still pushing it,
00:19:19everything will be fine.
00:19:22They got stuff
00:19:22that you can walk on?
00:19:24Treadmills?
00:19:24I don't think they have
00:19:25treadmills at the...
00:19:26It's 375 weight limit
00:19:28at this time,
00:19:29so we're working on it.
00:19:30So,
00:19:31did you do lightweights?
00:19:33Yes, I can do lightweights.
00:19:34Curls and stuff like that.
00:19:36I've been working
00:19:36to do better this past month,
00:19:38but I'm working all day long.
00:19:40And the problem is
00:19:41that I feel like I'm just sitting
00:19:42most of the time now.
00:19:43Stay focused over.
00:19:45That's what you're at, girl.
00:19:47Yes, sir.
00:19:47All right.
00:19:48So,
00:19:49I'm probably gonna go
00:19:50wash up
00:19:51and get ready for bed.
00:19:52Okay.
00:19:53Go ahead and do that.
00:19:54Okay.
00:19:54Good night, man.
00:19:55Good night, Dad.
00:19:56My parents have been
00:19:58trying to give me advice.
00:20:00They know how important it is
00:20:01that I keep moving forward.
00:20:03And I'm trying my hardest to.
00:20:06So when I go back
00:20:07to see Dr. Now next month,
00:20:09I'll be back on track
00:20:10to where I need to be.
00:20:11You haven't given up.
00:20:26You know, you're persevering.
00:20:27It's almost fun now
00:20:28counting every single calorie
00:20:30of every day
00:20:31down to literally
00:20:33the five calories
00:20:35per packet of flavor
00:20:37I add to water.
00:20:37you know.
00:20:39Once you count
00:20:40every single calorie,
00:20:41you start realizing
00:20:42just how many you had.
00:20:43Oh, my gosh.
00:20:45Kim and I are on our way
00:20:46to Dr. Now's.
00:20:47Today's the day
00:20:48I find out
00:20:48if I'm finally getting
00:20:49weight loss surgery or not.
00:20:51And I'm hoping I am.
00:20:53I know it's probably
00:20:54gonna come down
00:20:54to my weigh-in
00:20:55as the main factor
00:20:56for if Dr. Now
00:20:57moves me ahead or not.
00:20:59So I've been working
00:20:59as much as I can
00:21:00to hit my goal for today.
00:21:02Thank you, sir.
00:21:12Yeah, yeah.
00:21:29Michael Blair?
00:21:32I was at 474
00:21:34when Dr. Now told me
00:21:35I needed to lose
00:21:36another 30 pounds.
00:21:38So that means
00:21:39I have to be down
00:21:40under about 450.
00:21:44And I've worked
00:21:44my hardest to do that.
00:21:46We're gonna weigh you.
00:21:47Just hold on one sec.
00:21:48Let me zero out the machine.
00:21:50You can step up
00:21:51on the scale.
00:21:51Okay.
00:22:02I think that's
00:22:12gonna be good enough
00:22:13because it's only
00:22:14a few pounds off.
00:22:16I know Dr. Now
00:22:17gives a little grace
00:22:18if he knows
00:22:18you've tried hard
00:22:19and get close.
00:22:20And so that's what
00:22:21I'm hoping he does
00:22:22with me today.
00:22:22Hello.
00:22:36Hi, Dr. Now.
00:22:38How y'all doing?
00:22:39Good.
00:22:39Wonderful.
00:22:41All right.
00:22:41How you getting along?
00:22:43Good.
00:22:43Still just staying
00:22:44on the, you know,
00:22:46straight and narrow.
00:22:47Staying at 800
00:22:48to 1,000 calories a day?
00:22:50Well, super.
00:22:51You've done good.
00:22:52So I think
00:22:52that will give us
00:22:53opportunity
00:22:54that we can do
00:22:56surgery on you.
00:22:58Awesome.
00:22:59So we get everything
00:23:01prepared to do
00:23:02a same gastectomy.
00:23:04Hopefully we get
00:23:04all the scar tissue
00:23:05out the way.
00:23:06Yeah.
00:23:07And once you lose
00:23:08a lot of that weight,
00:23:09we can fix your hernia
00:23:10and take care
00:23:11of all the extra skin
00:23:12and that loose abdomen
00:23:14that has been stretched
00:23:16out for many years.
00:23:17Yes.
00:23:18Awesome.
00:23:18Awesome.
00:23:20So we schedule you
00:23:22for surgery.
00:23:23In the meantime,
00:23:23you keep up
00:23:24working with your diet
00:23:26and stay focused
00:23:28with it.
00:23:28Then we schedule you
00:23:30for next month
00:23:31and then we go
00:23:32from there, okay?
00:23:33Okay.
00:23:34For the surgery
00:23:34for next month?
00:23:36Surgery for next month.
00:23:37Awesome.
00:23:37All right.
00:23:38Okay.
00:23:39Any questions
00:23:39regarding the surgery?
00:23:41No.
00:23:42No, I think
00:23:42you explained it
00:23:43perfectly.
00:23:44Yeah.
00:23:45All right.
00:23:45So we're going
00:23:47to do some
00:23:48pre-op today
00:23:49which means
00:23:49we get a chest
00:23:51EKG
00:23:52and a blood work.
00:23:54Okay.
00:23:54We'll get you
00:23:55fixed up, okay?
00:23:56Perfect.
00:23:56Awesome.
00:23:57Thank you so much.
00:23:57Okay.
00:23:58Great.
00:24:00Oh my goodness.
00:24:01That's crazy.
00:24:04You might even
00:24:04try to do sleep.
00:24:06I wasn't even
00:24:07expecting that at all
00:24:08because you lost
00:24:08so much weight.
00:24:09I wasn't expecting it.
00:24:10Wow.
00:24:10That's awesome.
00:24:12I was very impressed
00:24:13with Michael's effort.
00:24:15He has done
00:24:15a very good job
00:24:16so I proved him
00:24:18for surgery.
00:24:19From history
00:24:20we know that
00:24:21Michael is going
00:24:21to have a very
00:24:22difficult operation
00:24:23because of two
00:24:24surgeries in the past
00:24:26and the amount
00:24:27of scar tissue
00:24:27he has
00:24:28and he has a hernia too.
00:24:29We're going to plan
00:24:30on doing a surgery
00:24:31hoping that we're
00:24:32going to be able
00:24:33to take some
00:24:34adhesion down
00:24:35and get a sleeve
00:24:37gastrectomy on him
00:24:38and eventually
00:24:39his hernia fixed.
00:24:40There may be
00:24:40two operations
00:24:41to get him
00:24:42to that point
00:24:43but I think
00:24:44he's ready
00:24:45for the operation
00:24:46at this point.
00:24:50I've waited
00:24:51to hear the words
00:24:51Dr. Now just said
00:24:52about getting
00:24:53weight loss surgery
00:24:54for years.
00:24:55So this is
00:24:56a big moment
00:24:57in my life
00:24:57because it means
00:24:58I'm getting a chance
00:24:59to make things better
00:25:00so me and my family
00:25:01can have a better life
00:25:02so I'm not doing
00:25:04anything to mess it up
00:25:05or waste it
00:25:06so that in one month
00:25:07there's nothing
00:25:08stopping me
00:25:08from finally
00:25:09getting my weight loss
00:25:10surgery.
00:25:11Yeah.
00:25:12Okay, maybe.
00:25:37I love you.
00:25:41Love you.
00:25:47Hello.
00:25:48Hello.
00:25:49How y'all doing?
00:25:49Good.
00:25:50Wonderful, thank you.
00:25:53You feeling okay, Mike?
00:25:55Fantastic.
00:25:56You ready for surgery?
00:25:57I am.
00:25:58All right, so today
00:25:59we're going to make
00:26:00big progress, okay?
00:26:01Awesome.
00:26:02This may take
00:26:03three hours
00:26:05it may take six hours
00:26:06so we don't know
00:26:07how long we're going
00:26:08to be there.
00:26:09Okay.
00:26:09We're going to work
00:26:10them to retire
00:26:11then we quit.
00:26:12Perfect.
00:26:13I like it.
00:26:15All right,
00:26:16and we'll get you
00:26:17fixed up, okay?
00:26:17Okay, great.
00:26:18Thanks so much, doc.
00:26:19All right, you're welcome.
00:26:20We're excited.
00:26:22All right,
00:26:23see you shortly.
00:26:24All right, thank you.
00:26:24Good job.
00:26:33I like that.
00:26:34We're going to work
00:26:34until we fall out.
00:26:38I am so ready
00:26:39for this to just be over
00:26:41and wake up in post-op
00:26:42just so I know
00:26:46what happens next.
00:26:49I'm hoping that
00:26:50whatever the doctor
00:26:51wants to get accomplished
00:26:53this surgery,
00:26:53he'll be able
00:26:54to get accomplished.
00:26:55That's really the only
00:26:56fear I have is,
00:26:57you know, waking up
00:26:58to an oops, we tried.
00:27:04Today we're going
00:27:05to do a surgery on Michael
00:27:06but I think
00:27:08this operation
00:27:09is going to be
00:27:10very challenging
00:27:10because many years ago
00:27:13he had a ruptured spleen
00:27:15and he had emergency
00:27:16surgery and they took
00:27:17his spleen out
00:27:18through a big incision
00:27:20and later on
00:27:21when he was 380 pounds
00:27:23he had the attempt
00:27:25to have weight loss surgery
00:27:27but they aborted
00:27:28the operation
00:27:29because he had
00:27:30so much adhesion
00:27:31and on his abdominal
00:27:33examination
00:27:34I know that
00:27:35he got large hernia
00:27:37and he's going to have
00:27:38a lot of adhesion
00:27:39so I'm not sure
00:27:41how much we can do today.
00:27:43I'm hoping that
00:27:43we're going to be able
00:27:44to take some adhesion down
00:27:45so this is going to be
00:27:47unpredictable.
00:27:48It could be a long surgery
00:27:49so I'm hoping
00:27:50everything will go
00:27:52very well today
00:27:52for him.
00:27:55Okay, starting
00:27:55the first incision.
00:27:58Incision.
00:27:59Okay, thank you.
00:28:05And then
00:28:05turn the room light off.
00:28:12You turn the room light off
00:28:13please.
00:28:16Turn the room light off
00:28:17a little bit toward me.
00:28:18But this surgery
00:28:22is high risk
00:28:23because of his weight
00:28:24and any number of issues
00:28:26can lead to a medical
00:28:28emergency with him
00:28:29where his body
00:28:30gets pushed
00:28:31over the limit
00:28:32and starts to shut down.
00:28:34So if there is
00:28:35any concern
00:28:36we may have to
00:28:37stop the surgery
00:28:38but obviously
00:28:40we hope
00:28:40that won't be necessary.
00:28:44Because this operation
00:28:46is an important step
00:28:48because we're going to
00:28:49take almost about
00:28:5080% of the stomach count
00:28:51and leave him
00:28:52with a small
00:28:53narrow 20%
00:28:55stomach volume
00:28:56that is going to
00:28:56help him to eat less
00:28:57and be able
00:28:58to lose more weight.
00:28:59Without it
00:29:00I don't think
00:29:01he will be able
00:29:02to stay on track
00:29:03so this should be
00:29:04a big help for him.
00:29:06I'm a little bit nervous
00:29:20while I'm waiting
00:29:21for Michael.
00:29:22I'm not quite sure
00:29:24what's going to happen
00:29:25today
00:29:25so I'm excited
00:29:26and nervous.
00:29:27Both boys are terrified
00:29:29that Michael's not going
00:29:30to wake up again
00:29:30right now
00:29:31and so
00:29:32they are
00:29:33they are handling
00:29:35it the worst
00:29:36because they just
00:29:36don't know
00:29:37what's going on.
00:29:42All right
00:29:43we can do
00:29:44with the stomach
00:29:44you've got
00:29:48a very long
00:29:51stomach
00:29:52that's a
00:29:54very long
00:29:55stomach
00:29:56and so
00:29:59put that
00:30:00near close
00:30:01over there
00:30:02huh
00:30:02you can turn
00:30:06the room light on
00:30:07light
00:30:07lights on
00:30:08okay
00:30:27all finished
00:30:28all right
00:30:37Michael's surgery
00:30:38went very well
00:30:39and you know
00:30:40it was challenging
00:30:41and very difficult
00:30:42everything was plastered
00:30:44over his
00:30:45inside of abdomen
00:30:48so we have to
00:30:49map up everything
00:30:52and get the stomach
00:30:53out
00:30:54but we're able
00:30:54to do
00:30:55sleep gastrectomy
00:30:56which the main
00:30:57object is
00:30:58so he's doing
00:30:59well
00:30:59so we're going
00:31:01to get him
00:31:02to recover him
00:31:02and see how
00:31:03is he doing
00:31:03I've seen
00:31:06in past year
00:31:07tremendous
00:31:09transformation
00:31:10of Michael
00:31:11from being
00:31:12a very
00:31:14isolated person
00:31:16with agoraphobia
00:31:18to become
00:31:19more open
00:31:20and receptive
00:31:21to be
00:31:22out of the house
00:31:23and see people
00:31:24and make improvement
00:31:25and I think
00:31:30he's going to be able
00:31:31to get to his
00:31:32ideal body weight
00:31:33his goal weight
00:31:34in less than a year
00:31:35so he's
00:31:58he's going to be
00:32:00skinny
00:32:00you are amazing
00:32:02so we'll see
00:32:03how he does
00:32:04with that
00:32:05and after
00:32:05he loses
00:32:06all that weight
00:32:07we get his
00:32:08hernia fixed
00:32:09and get all
00:32:09that extra skin
00:32:11off
00:32:11he'll be happy
00:32:12you are amazing
00:32:14so you're doing
00:32:16good
00:32:16thank you
00:32:17excellent
00:32:20thank you so much
00:32:22you're welcome
00:32:22oh my gosh
00:32:23alright
00:32:25we'll take care
00:32:26of him
00:32:26and get him
00:32:27home in a couple
00:32:28days
00:32:28excellent
00:32:29thank you so much
00:32:30you're welcome
00:32:30alright
00:32:31have a wonderful
00:32:32rest of your day sir
00:32:33you too
00:32:33Michael's body contour
00:32:44is going to be
00:32:45totally different
00:32:45and he's going to be
00:32:46more self confident
00:32:48to be in the public
00:32:49so I think
00:32:50this is going to help him
00:32:51not only physically
00:32:52but mentally as well
00:32:54okay
00:32:59in the meantime
00:33:03he has a lot
00:33:03of extra skin
00:33:04and dragging
00:33:05in the lower abdomen
00:33:06and pulling everything
00:33:08down
00:33:08and that needs to be
00:33:10addressed in the future
00:33:11here
00:33:14so
00:33:18so
00:33:22so
00:33:26I don't know.
00:33:56It's been a hard year for me, just like it's probably been for a lot of people, but I've really struggled a lot.
00:34:03The stress of everything got to me at times, and I kind of got off track when it happened.
00:34:13I haven't been able to work, and I've just gotten a job again after all that time not being able to have one.
00:34:21So I've struggled about that, and financially.
00:34:24And that's led to some moments where I've tripped up.
00:34:28But overall, I've made some progress and lost more weight.
00:34:32So since surgery, it's been difficult adjusting to better eating habits than what I was used to.
00:34:39I found that sustaining a diet is probably the hardest thing to do.
00:34:42I've been mostly making healthy meals for myself.
00:34:48And I think I'm down to around the mid-300s, maybe lower.
00:34:52I feel like I've lost two human beings off my body, mainly because of all the excess skin I have.
00:34:58It's getting to be a lot, and it's bothering me.
00:35:00It hangs really low now, and it pulls on me, and it gets painful.
00:35:07So because of that, I've been doing exercises in my pool, because that's the only thing that alleviates the pressure when I move around a lot.
00:35:13I've had some telemed appointments with Dr. Now and shown it to him.
00:35:19And Dr. Now says there's a good amount of fat in the hanging skin.
00:35:24And he thinks I need to get down to the low 300s to be ready for that.
00:35:29So that's been my goal, and I've been doing all I can to work toward that.
00:35:32But now that everything is starting to open up again, I've been able to schedule an appointment with Dr. Now in a few weeks.
00:35:38Until then, I'm going to try and make as much progress as I can.
00:35:55My goal is to get to my target weight in at least the next six months.
00:36:00And so I'm going to work hard to do that.
00:36:08This past year has been hard in a lot of ways.
00:36:28But it's also been good, because I've managed to make it within range of my target weight.
00:36:32I've been waiting until I can go back to see Dr. Now and get my skin surgery and the rest of my hernia repair.
00:36:42Because Dr. Now thinks taking all the extra skin off me could get me to my target.
00:36:46So I'm excited about that, but I'm not sure if that'll be the case until I get back to Dr. Now.
00:36:52I have a lot of excess skin, so I'm really hoping he can get it off soon.
00:36:55But I'm going to set an appointment soon, now that I can again.
00:37:02Hey, honey.
00:37:05What do you got planned for today?
00:37:06Uh, I think I'm going to go out and work out for a few minutes just before I cook breakfast.
00:37:11Okay, I'll see you in a few minutes.
00:37:13All right, have a good workout.
00:37:15My life has changed in so many good ways this past year, and I'm so thankful for that.
00:37:19With all the weight loss, I can do so much more now.
00:37:22I have so much more energy.
00:37:24And so I've mostly spent a lot of time gardening and doing lawn work so I could exercise almost every day.
00:37:29Any time I can get an exercise, I feel good now.
00:37:33Just being able to get out here.
00:37:35Each day I get a little better.
00:37:36You know, so for my workouts, I try to get in boxing for cardio.
00:37:53I try to get in some stick work.
00:37:55Which really is just getting back used to working the stick and, you know, feeling it in your hands.
00:38:06I'm not big into just raw weight training.
00:38:10In fact, I'm not looking to bulk up.
00:38:12I'm looking to be more quick, wiry.
00:38:15So I'm looking to focus on a different type of muscle mass.
00:38:19I love the feeling of being able to be back in the martial arts.
00:38:23I mean, the whole fact that I'm in better condition now than I've ever been.
00:38:29Even before, when I thought I was in the best shape of my life, I wasn't.
00:38:33And it's, you know, I mean, I'm older now.
00:38:35So there's, you know, definitely more creaks and snaps.
00:38:40But compared to just being on the couch and being in a hospital bed, yeah, it's...
00:38:46There aren't words to describe that feeling.
00:38:50It's like literally having been transplanted into a new body.
00:38:55It's like getting a new car when your old car didn't work, when it was constantly broke down.
00:38:59The feeling of going from a busted, useless car to having a car that's actually street legal.
00:39:07It's amazing.
00:39:09Just absolutely amazing.
00:39:16How beautiful.
00:39:17Back to see Dr. Now for my first in-person appointment in over a year.
00:39:35And I'm nervous.
00:39:38I've struggled the past year, so I don't think my progress is going to impress Dr. Now.
00:39:42But I'm hoping it's enough to where he feels like I was trying.
00:39:47I'm going to check your weight.
00:40:15Which means I need to be in a low 300.
00:40:17Please step on the scale.
00:40:37Go to room five.
00:40:38I'm happy I'm at least not in the upper 300s.
00:40:45But I'm not sure this is going to be enough for Dr. Now to move me forward.
00:40:49Hello.
00:40:50Hi, Dr. Now.
00:40:51Hi, Lucas.
00:40:52How are you?
00:40:53Doing good.
00:40:54How are you doing?
00:40:55I'm doing well.
00:40:56How about you?
00:40:57I'm doing really good.
00:40:58How about you?
00:40:59I'm doing really good.
00:41:00How's your diet coming along and eating habit?
00:41:01My eating habits have been, there's been some ups and downs, but at the same time I've been keeping
00:41:14myself on track.
00:41:15So basically small amount of meat, small amount of vegetables and making sure it's all within
00:41:21about 10 ounces.
00:41:22Well, you lost almost 270 pounds, but the reality is you should be less than 100 pounds from
00:41:30your goal.
00:41:31But you doubled that, so what's going on with that?
00:41:33I have no other, I don't really have an excuse.
00:41:38So you need to reduce your calorie intake and cut all the carb out of your diet so you
00:41:44can lose that weight and get to the point that skin surgery is going to be a good option
00:41:48for you.
00:41:49Okay, gotcha.
00:41:50Okay?
00:41:51Understood.
00:41:52Alright, well, let's take a look at the extra skin you've got around your belly.
00:41:56Okay.
00:41:57Let's see here.
00:41:58So, you set up.
00:42:05Yep.
00:42:06And that's a lot of actually hanging skin around your belly, but still you've got some
00:42:12fat around it, so if you lose some more weight, this will be more productive to do skin surgery
00:42:21and take that extra skin off of your abdomen.
00:42:25This is going to be a harder operation to heal because it's a very long incision, so the
00:42:31more weight you lose, the easier it's going to be to heal.
00:42:35Okay.
00:42:36So, you know, let's get your weight under 300 and that will be then protective for that.
00:42:43Okay?
00:42:44Okay.
00:42:45So, now to stick a little bit harder with your eating habit and get your weight down.
00:42:52Yes, sir.
00:42:53You lost a lot of weight, but another 200 pounds is going to be the hardest one.
00:42:58So, let's give you another two months and see how we do and be able to get your weight
00:43:04under 300.
00:43:06Okay.
00:43:07I think skin surgery would be a good option for you.
00:43:10Okay.
00:43:11I'll work at it.
00:43:12All right.
00:43:13If you need anything, you may call.
00:43:15Nice to see you again.
00:43:16Nice to see you again.
00:43:17Lucas has done a great job so far, but he's still got ways to go.
00:43:31He has a lot of extra skin that needs to come out, but if he loses more weight and get his
00:43:36weight under 300, this operation is going to be very helpful for him.
00:43:40He's still struggling from time to time with his eating habit, but I think if he stays focused,
00:43:46we can get him to his going weight within next year.
00:43:51I was happy to finally get my weight and know where I'm at.
00:43:55I know I've struggled.
00:43:57I just didn't realize how far I was off from where I should be.
00:44:00So, I'm going to pick up the pace because I really want skin removal and I'm close.
00:44:04So, I'll do what I need to get below 300 and make that happen.
00:44:08Because I'm ready to do whatever it takes.
00:44:16I'm headed to therapy.
00:44:34I'm not sure how I feel about it.
00:44:37But I do know I haven't done as well as I thought I was doing.
00:44:42And the last few months have been a struggle.
00:44:45So, hopefully this will be the missing link to carry me through to my skin removal surgery.
00:44:50Hi, Lucas.
00:44:51Hi, Dr. Perez.
00:44:52Come on in.
00:44:53Hi, Dr. Perez.
00:44:54Come on in.
00:44:55It's good to see you.
00:44:56Welcome.
00:44:57You can have a seat right over there.
00:44:59All right.
00:45:00Gotcha.
00:45:05So, tell me a little bit about yourself.
00:45:07Well, I started my journey about a couple years ago.
00:45:11Okay.
00:45:12I was weighed at 620 pounds.
00:45:14That was your peak weight?
00:45:15That was my peak.
00:45:16Okay.
00:45:17I was basically, I couldn't hold the job.
00:45:20Okay.
00:45:21I was struggling trying to get disability.
00:45:23And I was basically just looking for all kind of help.
00:45:26Okay.
00:45:27At the end of your rope, it sounds like.
00:45:28Let's talk about growing up.
00:45:29Did you grow up in Conroe?
00:45:30I did grow up in Conroe.
00:45:32Mom, Dad, both in the house the whole time growing up?
00:45:35No.
00:45:36So, there was a moment when I was younger.
00:45:39My dad and mom separated for a little bit, a divorce.
00:45:42And that lasted about a year and a half.
00:45:45Okay.
00:45:46And that's probably where it affected me the most.
00:45:48How did it hit you when they got divorced?
00:45:50That was when I felt like I wasn't loved.
00:45:54I felt like.
00:45:55Sure.
00:45:56Yeah.
00:45:57I felt like my dad didn't care about me.
00:45:58And there were.
00:45:59Did your dad leave?
00:46:00Is that what happened?
00:46:01He was the one who left the house?
00:46:02He's the one that left the house.
00:46:03What was your weight like then?
00:46:04It was, that was when it started to spiral out of control.
00:46:08Yeah, that, you know, I can only imagine, Lucas, that some part of that situation made you feel like your parents had abandoned you.
00:46:16It kind of felt like that.
00:46:18What did you do with your life after high school?
00:46:20I moved back with my family again, back in Conroe.
00:46:23I went into video game design.
00:46:25Well, that would be a natural fit for you, right?
00:46:27Right.
00:46:28During college, I had a girlfriend and we were really close.
00:46:33And I remember her asking the question, it was like, when was the last time we had sex?
00:46:39She asked you that?
00:46:40Yes.
00:46:41I asked her, I was like, are you pregnant?
00:46:43But she's like, oh, I don't know.
00:46:44I was like, I didn't ask her, it's like, I guess it's not mine, is it?
00:46:47And she says, no, it's not yours.
00:46:50Oh, so in that whole transaction, it became apparent she was sleeping with somebody else.
00:46:55How did that hit you?
00:46:56That's when my world crashed.
00:47:00That's what I...
00:47:01Yeah, yeah, that's huge.
00:47:02Did the eating just explode after the whole girlfriend situation?
00:47:05Yes, it did.
00:47:06I was weighing close to 500 pounds.
00:47:10I basically just stored myself away in my bedroom and ate and played video games.
00:47:16Quit school?
00:47:17I had to quit school, yes.
00:47:19Okay.
00:47:20So everything fell apart.
00:47:21And you crawl back in your cave, right?
00:47:24Mm-hmm.
00:47:25So how long did you stay in the cave?
00:47:27Four or five years.
00:47:29And that's when you got up to 625?
00:47:31Yes.
00:47:32Okay.
00:47:33Lucas, what can we do to get you back on track?
00:47:35I feel like I need an enforcer.
00:47:38That's a strong word.
00:47:40How do we internalize that enforcer for you?
00:47:43Can you be your own enforcer?
00:47:44That's a good question.
00:47:46Do you need like a whiteboard or something where you have a daily schedule that includes game time,
00:47:53your diet?
00:47:54I do have a whiteboard and I was using it because my trainer had me use it.
00:47:58Sure.
00:47:59Yeah.
00:48:00You could call the board the enforcer, right?
00:48:01Right.
00:48:02What's going to be on that board if you had an enforcer board?
00:48:05What's it going to have on there?
00:48:06It's going to have a list of daily things for me to do.
00:48:09So my common to-do list and then my ultimate goals.
00:48:12Okay.
00:48:13Like long-term stuff.
00:48:14Long-term, yeah.
00:48:15Can you put like even like a meal planner on there?
00:48:18Like this breakfast, lunch and dinner kind of thing?
00:48:21I never thought about that before, but I will have to start doing that.
00:48:25And on that board, you're going to have a to-do list.
00:48:27You're going to have your meal plans.
00:48:29What else might we put on there?
00:48:31Exercise routines.
00:48:33Sure.
00:48:34You know, the important thing about this board is it's self-generated.
00:48:37It's going to be designed by you.
00:48:39I want it in your handwriting.
00:48:41I want you to pick the categories.
00:48:43I want you to structure it in a way that works for you.
00:48:46And the nice thing about that is you're not depending on another person.
00:48:49This should be entirely your design, your execution.
00:48:52Okay?
00:48:53Right.
00:48:54Okay.
00:48:55Lucas, thanks for coming.
00:48:56Thank you, Dr. Paradise.
00:48:57Good to meet you.
00:48:58Good to meet you.
00:49:00Take care, man.
00:49:02Good night.
00:49:05I'm glad I did it.
00:49:06Dr. Paradise gave me some homework to do.
00:49:08I don't know how it's going to go, but I'm still going to do it.
00:49:11I'm hoping it's going to help me get to the goal I need to get to,
00:49:14to see if I can go back to Dr. Now and get the skin surgery.
00:49:38I'm headed to Dr. Now's and I'm excited to see where my weight's at today.
00:49:43And to show Dr. Now how far I've come in person.
00:49:46I know I've lost a lot.
00:49:48I still haven't gotten a scale at home just because I've never liked having one in the house.
00:49:52And it's going to take a long time to change that.
00:50:05And I feel good about the fact that I'm getting around on my own without Kim to drive me a lot of the time now.
00:50:10I've let go of needing the security of having anyone with me because I feel completely confident in myself.
00:50:16And so I feel like I've conquered my agoraphobia.
00:50:19I think a lot of the fear I had was with people judging me.
00:50:22And I don't fear that as much.
00:50:24And that's been really freeing for me.
00:50:29Michael?
00:50:31The only thing I start to feel insecure about is my hanging skin.
00:50:37But I'm always worried sometimes people can see it.
00:50:41And so getting it off is the last step in a long journey to getting healthy and having a new life.
00:50:46We've got to weigh you today.
00:50:48Do we have to?
00:50:49Yeah, we have to.
00:50:50And so I want to take that step right now.
00:50:52But I know it's going to depend on what the scale says right now.
00:50:55Okay, step up.
00:51:22I'm back at Dr. Now's to find out my progress.
00:51:26And to see if I can get approved for my first skin removal.
00:51:32Your weight is 271.
00:51:35That is amazing.
00:51:37I've never been that weight in my adult life.
00:51:40We're going to be going to room five.
00:51:42Okay.
00:51:43I can't believe I've been afraid of the scale this whole time with my weight so low.
00:51:50I'm even a little bit impressed with myself.
00:51:54And I probably have a lot of extra skin adding to my weight.
00:51:58So with that weight off, I may even be under 250 pounds.
00:52:01Hello.
00:52:02How are you doing?
00:52:03Fantastic.
00:52:04How are you doing today?
00:52:05I'm doing good.
00:52:06Well, nice to see you again.
00:52:08Michael, you're down to 271.
00:52:09Mm-hmm.
00:52:10And that's two adult person you lost.
00:52:11Exactly.
00:52:12And you got a little more to lose with your skin surgery.
00:52:14Oh, excellent.
00:52:15So how are you getting along and how is everything going?
00:52:30Everything is going great.
00:52:32You know, getting in a lot of exercise now, getting more mobile.
00:52:37Blood pressure is normalized.
00:52:40Let's see how the stomach is doing.
00:52:43Well, you got a lot of extra skin.
00:52:55Yeah.
00:52:56Yeah.
00:52:57There's a lot there.
00:52:58You got a hernia in here too.
00:52:59Yeah.
00:53:00Two of them, I think now.
00:53:01Yeah.
00:53:02Over here.
00:53:03Yeah.
00:53:04You can really feel them when you push in.
00:53:07Well, you need to have extra skin off and the hernia fix.
00:53:12And that will be really all you need to do.
00:53:17You're probably going to lose another 15, 20 pounds over there.
00:53:21You're going to be down to 250.
00:53:23Perfect.
00:53:24And for your height, that will be ideal weight.
00:53:26Yeah.
00:53:27That's perfect.
00:53:28All right.
00:53:29So we can set you up for that.
00:53:31Excellent.
00:53:32And that will be an operation that's going to take you a little while to heal.
00:53:37Maybe two months for the fascia to heal.
00:53:39Okay.
00:53:40Well, I'm glad you changed your life.
00:53:42That was a really big struggle for you to get around.
00:53:45Oh, yeah.
00:53:46I couldn't walk more than 30 feet without having to sit.
00:53:51And now I can walk for miles.
00:53:53And that's a great, great, great success.
00:53:56So how is your wife doing?
00:53:57She's doing great.
00:53:58Yeah.
00:53:59She's loving it because we can get out more.
00:54:01We can do things, you know, as a couple now.
00:54:04Well, you're doing great.
00:54:06I'm proud of your progress.
00:54:07Not everybody make that kind of progress.
00:54:09So I'm going to take care of that extra skin and the hernia.
00:54:13And you will be done with the progress.
00:54:15Awesome.
00:54:16Thank you so much.
00:54:17I'm so happy.
00:54:18So we'll get you set up for the surgery and then we go from there.
00:54:23Great.
00:54:24Thank you again so much.
00:54:25Oh, you're quite welcome.
00:54:26And you have done a great job on sticking with the program.
00:54:31That is wonderful.
00:54:32All right.
00:54:33I'll sit you for that and then we go from there.
00:54:36Great.
00:54:37Thank you again.
00:54:38Okay.
00:54:39Well, I'm proud of Michael for all the progress that he has made.
00:54:48So we're going to go ahead and remove that extra skin around his abdomen.
00:54:52And also he has a large abdominal hernia that we're going to repair that.
00:54:58So Michael has come a long way.
00:55:00He had a really uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure.
00:55:04And he was very short of breath with severe respiratory distress.
00:55:11And all those symptoms have subsided with loss of 335 pounds of extra weight.
00:55:18And he's going to lose another 10 to 15 pounds and will be around 350 pound weight loss.
00:55:24And he will be under 250 pounds, which is ideal weight for his height.
00:55:29So he has been a success story and he worked very hard.
00:55:33And I'm proud of his progress.
00:55:40Dr. Now told me that I'm where I need to be.
00:55:43I can get my hernia surgery.
00:55:44I can get the skin removal.
00:55:46It's all clear sailing from here.
00:55:48Then once those two are done, that's it.
00:55:50The program's completed.
00:55:52He's happy with my progress.
00:55:54It's an amazing feeling.
00:55:56It's hard to explain just how different I feel.
00:56:00Knowing that because having all the bad luck I've had.
00:56:03Where it's every doctor's told me no, can't happen, won't happen.
00:56:06It's impossible.
00:56:07I've been told for the past 25, 30 years that could never happen is happening.
00:56:12I feel amazing.
00:56:13I'm sorry.
00:56:14I feel so I'm going to help.
00:56:15I'm sorry.
00:56:16I feel so I'm just getting away from this.
00:56:19I'm sorry.
00:56:20I know.
00:56:21You're so sorry.
00:56:22I could be still there, but I'm scared.
00:56:24I can't wait for you or my God.
00:56:26I can't wait for you.
00:56:27I can't wait for you.
00:56:28It's impossible to stay.
00:56:29I can't wait for you.
00:56:30I can't wait for you.
00:56:31I can't wait for you.
00:56:32I can't wait for you.
00:56:33Back to Dr. Nows.
00:56:49And I hope I worked hard enough to get below 300.
00:56:54I feel like I did, but I'm not going to know until I see the number on a scale.
00:57:00So I'm just hoping it's going to be good.
00:57:03Lucas?
00:57:13Hey, Rosie.
00:57:14Hey, how are you?
00:57:15I'm doing okay.
00:57:16Great, you look good.
00:57:17Oh, thank you.
00:57:23Okay, you can step up on the scale.
00:57:25I was at 352 three months ago, and I'm really hoping I made it below 300 by today.
00:57:42Okay.
00:57:43You can step down the scale.
00:57:45Okay.
00:57:46We're going to room five.
00:57:49Five.
00:57:52My weight today was 347.
00:57:55I'm a little shocked and confused about how much I lost today.
00:57:58I figured it would be a little bit more.
00:58:00I don't understand.
00:58:01I put a lot of work into this, and I expected more from me.
00:58:05I think Dr. Now probably isn't going to be too happy with my results.
00:58:10He might see that I have made progress, but not enough.
00:58:13Hello, how are you doing?
00:58:24Doing good, Dr. Now.
00:58:25How are you doing?
00:58:26Good.
00:58:28Well, Lucas, the good news is that you are ranging because you lost a little.
00:58:33But the bad news is, it's not even enough to know that it's more than weight fluctuation.
00:58:40So what's going on?
00:58:42I'm a little bit shocked and surprised.
00:58:44I thought I'd be lost more weight.
00:58:47Okay.
00:58:48So you haven't lost as much as you should have.
00:58:51So what's going on with that?
00:58:54So I've been doing my best.
00:58:57I think I just haven't tried hard enough, I guess.
00:59:01Do you think you were trying?
00:59:03I think I was trying.
00:59:05Okay.
00:59:06And so what's going on with you?
00:59:09I don't know.
00:59:10I feel like if I just tried even harder, I just think I can do it.
00:59:14Do you think therapy is helping you?
00:59:16I'm not sure.
00:59:17I don't see it really helping me.
00:59:18So do you think you're still needing to deal with the emotional issues?
00:59:23I don't really think about it that much.
00:59:26But yes, it could be related to emotional issues, sir.
00:59:30Okay.
00:59:30And so how is your activity?
00:59:31My activity has been pretty unstable.
00:59:35I do take online classes.
00:59:37And I've just been walking between, like, three times a day.
00:59:42And the rest of the time, I'm just on the computer or helping my father out with work.
00:59:47So do you eat at home or you eat at?
00:59:49I eat at home, sir.
00:59:50Who prepare the meal?
00:59:52I do.
00:59:53Do you have time to prepare your meals?
00:59:55Yes, sir.
00:59:57I do have time to prepare my meals.
00:59:59Okay.
00:59:59So do you snack between the meals?
01:00:02I have caught myself snacking between meals, sir.
01:00:05Well, you know, that will be a drawback and will escalate.
01:00:09And if you keep doing that, you're going to lose control in your eating habit.
01:00:13So the rule is to eat two or three times a day with no snack in between the meal.
01:00:19Do you think you can do that?
01:00:21I think I can do that, sir.
01:00:23So I was hoping we're going to see you in three months and be under 300.
01:00:28Yes, sir.
01:00:29Do you think you can do that?
01:00:30I think I would do my best at doing better at doing that.
01:00:34Yes, sir.
01:00:35So the positive thing is that so far you have lost as one bigger person, huh?
01:00:43It really is.
01:00:44It's a big improvement and I can feel it.
01:00:48So once you get under 300, we can do your skin surgery.
01:00:53Yes, sir.
01:00:53Okay.
01:00:54Because you have probably about 20 to 30 pounds of extra skin that thing to come out.
01:00:59And that will be a positive thing for you.
01:01:02Okay.
01:01:03Nice to see you and I'll see you in three months.
01:01:07Yes, sir.
01:01:08Okay.
01:01:08You take care.
01:01:17I'm glad to see that it looked like Lucas hasn't been binging and it doesn't seem that he
01:01:23has stretched his stomach back out.
01:01:26But his back of progress is still an issue.
01:01:29It looked like he's not doing what he needs to address what may be driving him to eat.
01:01:34Because he's eating a little bit all day to try to numb himself.
01:01:39And so he's been in denial and isn't paying attention to how much he's actually eating.
01:01:46Hopefully the therapy will help him wake up to that.
01:01:49But regardless, whether or not Lucas get back on track is up to him.
01:01:53He has to make the choice to do what he needs.
01:01:57If not, nothing is going to change.
01:02:00Right now, it has been over a year and a half since he has made any real progress.
01:02:06That is a lot of time for him to waste.
01:02:08So he needs to do this now before it's too late.
01:02:12Today I'm just waiting to go into surgery for my hernia repair and skin removal.
01:02:16I'm hoping it all comes out for the best.
01:02:27I'm a little nervous right now.
01:02:45Kim wasn't able to get off of work today.
01:02:47So I had to kind of take this journey on my own and it's there's been a lot of minor hurdles.
01:02:53A lot of my phobias are starting to kick up again.
01:02:56So I'm just trying to do everything to stay in the right mind space before surgery.
01:03:09Morning.
01:03:09Morning.
01:03:10Well, how you feel this morning?
01:03:13I feel good.
01:03:14I'm tired, but good.
01:03:15All right, you ready for your big surgery?
01:03:18Yeah.
01:03:18All right, so we're going to go ahead and get your extra skin off.
01:03:22Okay.
01:03:23So you're going to have an incision going all the way this way and fix the muscle.
01:03:28We may have to use a mesh to reinforce that.
01:03:31Okay.
01:03:32Okay.
01:03:32All right, we get you started with this operation.
01:03:35It's going to take about maybe four to six hours or so.
01:03:38Okay, great.
01:03:39All right.
01:03:40We get you fixed up shortly.
01:03:42Okay, thanks so much, Dr.
01:03:44Okay.
01:03:46At this point, I'm just hoping that everything goes good with the surgery.
01:03:50And I just want it done and over with.
01:03:53I feel good about what the doctor said.
01:03:55We're going to do a hernia repair and skin removal.
01:03:58So I'm feeling good about it.
01:04:00I'm hoping for as little as pain as possible and a quick recovery.
01:04:03Put your arms inside.
01:04:08Yeah, I don't want you to hit your elbows.
01:04:10If you come in.
01:04:12So today is going to be final operation on Michael.
01:04:24We're going to take the extra skin from around his abdomen.
01:04:33Okay, that's good.
01:04:36Okay, starting the first incision.
01:04:38So it's just three to four point each and five eyes?
01:04:42I feel like this.
01:04:43And while she's getting it, you don't have to wait something.
01:04:45I feel like she's getting it.
01:04:46You don't have to wait something.
01:04:48I feel like you're going to go.
01:04:49You don't have to step it up.
01:04:51result and he's very active and able to do a lot of activity without getting
01:04:58short of breath or any issues. I'm hoping with this surgery he'll be at a target
01:05:03weight of 250 pounds which is the ideal target weight for him. This operation is
01:05:09going to be a major operation and it's going to take him off to heal because he
01:05:14has a lot of extra skin around his abdomen. I'm guessing probably about 20
01:05:18pounds of fractured skin around his abdomen that we're going to take off.
01:05:24Michael's in surgery right now. I'm having a lot of anxiety because I wasn't able to be there for
01:05:51him in the morning and this is the first time that has happened. So it was good for Michael
01:05:56because then he was able to have that responsibility but it was nerve-wracking on me because I wasn't
01:06:03there. I wasn't able to get off work until a half day but I was able to be here when Michael wakes up
01:06:12and so that's the most important thing.
01:06:20So now we will get him to shoot up and then see how much we got off of him today.
01:06:25Do you want to shoot up?
01:06:41Do you want to shoot up?
01:06:43Do you want to shoot up?
01:06:45This is the skin we took off from Michael's abdomen, 19 pounds.
01:07:15Michael's surgery went very well.
01:07:20We were able to take around 19 pounds of extra skin off of him.
01:07:25So this operation will take a while to heal, usually about two months.
01:07:29After this operation, Michael will be done by the program.
01:07:33He will be done around 250 pounds, which is a tremendous success for him.
01:07:39So upon completion of this operation, Michael will be approximately 400 pounds lighter than when he started this journey with us.
01:07:48And this is a very good success story.
01:07:50I'm proud of his progress.
01:07:52And Michael, I'm sure he will continue to maintain healthy weight for long term.
01:07:56What's up? It's good to see you.
01:08:09How you doing? Give me a hug.
01:08:10You ready for it?
01:08:12Yeah, I'm ready.
01:08:13Okay, well, we got a whole lot more planned today.
01:08:14So we're going to hit it, hit it hard.
01:08:17Going to push past all them limits.
01:08:19I've decided I need to push myself to work hard.
01:08:21So no matter how much it hurts, I'm back to the gym.
01:08:24Okay, okay.
01:08:25Like I showed you, you want to squat down?
01:08:28You want to breathe?
01:08:29There you go.
01:08:30Control your breathing more than anything.
01:08:35That's it. That's it.
01:08:36Let me kneel for it.
01:08:38I'm in pain, but it feels like it's a good pain.
01:08:42Let me kneel for it.
01:08:44Oh!
01:08:45Oh!
01:08:45Very good.
01:08:46Very good.
01:08:47Hey, you want to sit down?
01:08:48Sit down right there on here.
01:08:49Hang on right there.
01:08:50Check it out right now.
01:08:52I went back to therapy,
01:08:53and I'm trying to do better with my homework.
01:08:56I could see how there are things I need to deal with
01:08:59that could be behind some of my eating now.
01:09:01So I'm trying to be more open and honest about things.
01:09:04So this one's five pounds heavier,
01:09:06and then the one you normally do?
01:09:07Yeah.
01:09:08Okay, we're going to do this standing up, okay?
01:09:10It's all you.
01:09:11Good math. It's going to be easy.
01:09:12I'm going to try the first one.
01:09:13Just easy, since she ain't never done it standing up.
01:09:15Take it up. One.
01:09:16Above the head.
01:09:17And then do it.
01:09:18Ready?
01:09:19Come on.
01:09:19But it's not easy just to do that.
01:09:21After all these years of just putting my head in a seat.
01:09:24But I want to do better.
01:09:27Not just with my health.
01:09:28Very good.
01:09:29Very good.
01:09:30Very good.
01:09:30Very good.
01:09:31Yeah, check it out.
01:09:32But I'm trying to get my old job back
01:09:34and get into the habit of living life again.
01:09:38But with my weight loss,
01:09:40I'm giving this my all to get back on track.
01:09:42You want to come outside and get some fresh air?
01:09:43All right.
01:09:45Okay.
01:09:50You've got to be smiling, man.
01:09:53I've got two more months to get under 300,
01:09:55and I'm completely focused on that goal
01:09:57because I have to get the skin off.
01:10:00But I didn't do this all to come halfway.
01:10:03I'm going to go all the way.
01:10:04And a skin surgery is essential to that.
01:10:10One, two, three, six, seven, eight, nine, stop.
01:10:16Okay.
01:10:16Big breaths right now.
01:10:17It's been a couple months
01:10:27since my skin removal and hernia repair,
01:10:29and I'm fully healed, and that feels great.
01:10:32I'm able to get up and move around
01:10:34without anything pulling or causing me sharp pain.
01:10:37And I feel like I did years ago when I was much younger.
01:10:42Finally, my body isn't something I'm trapped in,
01:10:44and I'm excited about that.
01:10:45But I've only just healed.
01:10:49But I'm hoping if I keep building my strength every day,
01:10:52I'll be able to start doing all the things I've been waiting for.
01:11:10Make sure you stretch your knee out.
01:11:12Yeah.
01:11:15But I've only just fully healed.
01:11:19So I haven't worked up to doing anything much physically except jogging.
01:11:24And while I've been resting up after my surgery,
01:11:26now that I don't have all that hanging skin,
01:11:28I've been planning something for Kim
01:11:30to show her what living our best life is really going to be like
01:11:33after all we've been through to make it this far.
01:11:37And I'm excited about that.
01:11:38How are you doing?
01:11:51Oh, burning fuel.
01:11:54Doing amazing, though.
01:11:56How's your knee doing?
01:11:57I'm going back to Dr. Now's again.
01:12:08And I'm really nervous this time.
01:12:11It just feels like a lot more is depending on this weigh-in.
01:12:14And I'm scared to see where it's at
01:12:16because the goal was 50 pounds.
01:12:18I feel like I did better.
01:12:23But I also know I struggled at some points.
01:12:25Lucas?
01:12:53Lucas?
01:12:55Hello, Rosie.
01:12:59Hey, how are you?
01:13:00Doing good. How are you doing?
01:13:01I'm okay.
01:13:10Can I step up on the scale?
01:13:11Your weight is 343.
01:13:29We're going to room five.
01:13:36Okay.
01:13:37The weigh-in was actually very surprising.
01:13:40I suspected I was going to lose more.
01:13:42I feel like I have lost more,
01:13:44but a little bit is even still a win.
01:13:46But it's not the goal I wanted to reach.
01:13:48Hey, Lucas.
01:14:01Hey, Dr. Now.
01:14:02How are you?
01:14:03Doing okay.
01:14:04How are you doing?
01:14:05Doing good.
01:14:06All right.
01:14:07All right.
01:14:07So you only lost four pounds?
01:14:10Yes, sir.
01:14:11So what's going on with that?
01:14:12I put a lot of effort and put a lot of work into this.
01:14:16I don't, I can't explain why I only lost four pounds.
01:14:21It's, I wouldn't blame my eating habits
01:14:23as I'm only eating three times a day.
01:14:25And what I'm eating is under 1,200 calories.
01:14:28So I have, I can't explain what else
01:14:31other than the fact that I'm, I don't know.
01:14:35Well, you know, this is almost two years.
01:14:38So you've been having difficulty to get to your target weight.
01:14:43And it seems like your weight loss has slowed down
01:14:46to the point that you're not making any good progress
01:14:49to get the skin surgery.
01:14:51You're going to have to work on that.
01:14:54And there's no point for you coming in and checking in
01:14:57when you're losing four pounds or less than that.
01:15:01So you get your own scale and you check your weight
01:15:05and see if you can get your weight under 300.
01:15:09And if you get under 300,
01:15:11then possible serious skin surgery will be good for you.
01:15:15Yes, sir.
01:15:16Okay.
01:15:17I can do that.
01:15:18So you can monitor your weight.
01:15:20And try to do that.
01:15:22And once you get to that point,
01:15:23you can come and see us, okay?
01:15:25I understand.
01:15:26And no matter what, I'm going to do it.
01:15:28Okay.
01:15:29That'll be good.
01:15:30All right.
01:15:30You come a long way.
01:15:32And the last mile,
01:15:34you need to finish and get to the victory line.
01:15:38Okay.
01:15:38Yes, sir.
01:15:39So keep your eyes on it and do your part.
01:15:43And I'm sure you're going to do it.
01:15:45Yes, sir.
01:15:46All right.
01:15:47In the meantime,
01:15:48if you need anything,
01:15:49you may call.
01:15:49I will give you a call, yes, sir.
01:15:51All right.
01:15:51I will see you again.
01:15:52Yes, sir.
01:15:53Okay.
01:16:11I'm a bit frustrated with the results.
01:16:14I thought I put a lot more effort into this
01:16:16and the results would have shown it,
01:16:19but it just didn't.
01:16:22I feel pretty good.
01:16:23A couple pounds is still a win.
01:16:26Still, I didn't meet my goal,
01:16:27but the goal is still there.
01:16:29I will still reach it.
01:16:42I need to make sure I get under 300
01:16:44and come back and show Dr. Now
01:16:46that I'm going to succeed.
01:17:14How are you doing?
01:17:16Super awesome, terrific, fabulous,
01:17:18and it looks like you're doing the same thing.
01:17:19Give me a hug.
01:17:22Proud of you, bud.
01:17:23Proud of you.
01:17:24Well, thank you.
01:17:25Whole different person.
01:17:26Yeah.
01:17:26How does it feel like bouncing around
01:17:28with that new body?
01:17:29I'm still getting used to it.
01:17:30Still getting used to it?
01:17:31Yeah, it's weird, you know,
01:17:33having before being able to not move
01:17:35and then now being able to walk
01:17:38in a straight line.
01:17:39That's great.
01:17:39It's awesome.
01:17:40I'm loving it.
01:17:41You want to work out a little bit?
01:17:43Yeah.
01:17:43Heck yeah.
01:17:44There you go.
01:17:50All right, just facing that direction.
01:17:52Get your hands up.
01:17:52Okay, let's see you get a jab out there.
01:17:54Good, jab.
01:17:56Wait a minute, I need to hear some.
01:17:57Oh, yeah.
01:17:58I need to hear some breathing.
01:17:59There you go.
01:18:00Good.
01:18:00Good.
01:18:01Yeah.
01:18:02Nice.
01:18:04Nice.
01:18:04Let me see that heel pop out a little bit more.
01:18:07There you go.
01:18:08That's it.
01:18:09Jab punch.
01:18:10Nice.
01:18:11Again.
01:18:12Guys, nice.
01:18:12Around a little bit.
01:18:14Move around.
01:18:14There you go.
01:18:16Okay, drop down and come back up.
01:18:18I'm excited to be picking back up
01:18:19with my martial arts again.
01:18:21Nice.
01:18:21That's it.
01:18:22I tried a couple years ago
01:18:23and was really glad to do it,
01:18:25but it was hard to keep up doing what I had to.
01:18:27Stay busy.
01:18:47Turn that back heel.
01:18:48Turn that back heel.
01:18:49Turn that back heel.
01:18:50Make sure you get that rotation.
01:18:52If you don't get that rotation,
01:18:53you're losing...
01:18:54Power.
01:18:54Power.
01:18:55Okay?
01:18:55And you're not 600 pounds anymore.
01:18:57Yeah.
01:18:58And to do the damage,
01:18:59you've got to make sure you're using that weight.
01:19:00Okay, let's do it again.
01:19:02Okay?
01:19:02Boom, boom.
01:19:03That's it.
01:19:03First of all,
01:19:04I could hardly believe it was him
01:19:05when he walked in the door,
01:19:06and it's a shock,
01:19:08and it's so great to see
01:19:10that transition.
01:19:12Ready?
01:19:12Go.
01:19:13Good.
01:19:14Good.
01:19:15I'm going to move a little bit.
01:19:16Movement and body language
01:19:18and doing techniques
01:19:21and breath control
01:19:22and all that stuff
01:19:23is a whole different person.
01:19:25Wait a minute.
01:19:25Wait a minute.
01:19:25Who's this guy?
01:19:27I don't know yet.
01:19:28This is not the same guy
01:19:29that was here the last time.
01:19:30No.
01:19:31Okay, when you're ready.
01:19:32I am very, very happy to see
01:19:34that he's made that transition
01:19:35and really happy for him.
01:19:36And he up.
01:19:37Oh, there you go.
01:19:38And rotate that body.
01:19:39Pick the knee up.
01:19:40Boom.
01:19:40But I think today's really helped me see
01:19:42that this is without a doubt
01:19:44something I want to work back into my life.
01:19:46There you go.
01:19:46To have that whole juxtaposition
01:19:48There you go.
01:19:49of, you know,
01:19:50where you're an immovable object
01:19:52and then when you're an unstoppable force,
01:19:54it's nice.
01:19:55Great to see you again.
01:19:56Give me a hug.
01:19:58Appreciate it.
01:19:59You're welcome.
01:20:00Appreciate you.
01:20:06I'm wondering if
01:20:07the smothered chicken
01:20:08can be without
01:20:09the cream sauce.
01:20:10Absolutely.
01:20:11Absolutely.
01:20:12As long as they choke it,
01:20:12they don't need to smother it.
01:20:13Alrighty, folks.
01:20:15Thanks so much, Alex.
01:20:15Thank you so much.
01:20:16This is wonderful.
01:20:18I know.
01:20:18I'm like, come here.
01:20:20So having Michael want
01:20:22to go out in public
01:20:24and enjoy a meal
01:20:26is something that
01:20:27we haven't had
01:20:28in so many years.
01:20:30and so it was pretty amazing
01:20:32just to be able
01:20:33to sit down
01:20:34at a restaurant with him.
01:20:35I love you.
01:20:36I love you, baby.
01:20:38Thank you for making this journey.
01:20:41I'm serious.
01:20:42I know.
01:20:43I thought I wasn't
01:20:43going to have you anymore.
01:20:45Yeah.
01:20:46I love being able
01:20:47to spend time with Kimberly
01:20:48and finally treat her
01:20:49like she deserves to be treated.
01:20:51It's surreal.
01:20:52When I had my first
01:20:53weight loss surgery
01:20:54and it failed,
01:20:56I almost gave up,
01:20:57but I got a second chance
01:20:58and I'm so thankful for that.
01:21:00Ah, beautiful.
01:21:01Beautiful.
01:21:03All right, folks.
01:21:04Everything looking like
01:21:04it came out okay?
01:21:05Yes.
01:21:06Beautiful.
01:21:06Thank you so much.
01:21:07All right,
01:21:07and I'll be right around
01:21:08to see everything's tasting, okay?
01:21:09Wonderful.
01:21:10Absolutely.
01:21:12My world is so much better now,
01:21:14not just because of the weight
01:21:16I've lost and the hernia repair,
01:21:19but because part of it
01:21:20has been to work through
01:21:21my issues and fears
01:21:22with therapy,
01:21:23and that alone
01:21:24has been life-changing.
01:21:25So I feel freer
01:21:26than I ever have,
01:21:27and I'm just thankful
01:21:28for the life and future
01:21:29I have now,
01:21:31and I can't wait
01:21:32to see what's ahead.
01:21:33Any desserts?
01:21:34Oh, no.
01:21:35Oh, no, no, no.
01:21:35After dinner, cocktails,
01:21:36maybe some coffee?
01:21:37Oh, no.
01:21:38No, we're good.
01:21:39Okay, yeah,
01:21:39but we are fantastic.
01:21:41Kim and I just went
01:21:41to an amazing dinner
01:21:43for the first time
01:21:44in, I would say,
01:21:45a decade and a half.
01:21:47So what's on the agenda next?
01:21:49I think I got something
01:21:50we can do,
01:21:51but I'm not gonna tell you.
01:21:53And we were able
01:21:54to just enjoy each other.
01:21:56We're not going home right yet?
01:21:57No, I don't think so.
01:21:59I think I got a little
01:22:00more energy
01:22:00in this whole body.
01:22:02Okay.
01:22:02Being able to just
01:22:03go out with Kim
01:22:04and not worry
01:22:05when we have to be back
01:22:07or where we have to go,
01:22:09where the handicap-accessible
01:22:11bathrooms are
01:22:12is great.
01:22:14It's a normalcy
01:22:16that most people
01:22:17take for granted.
01:22:19Are you by chance
01:22:20available for a ride?
01:22:21Yes, sir.
01:22:22We sure are.
01:22:24Ready to go?
01:22:25Come on, guys.
01:22:31You good, babe?
01:22:36Michael and I
01:22:37have always been
01:22:37cuddly people
01:22:38and I could touch his leg
01:22:40or you put my little arm
01:22:42halfway around him,
01:22:43but now I've got
01:22:44completely,
01:22:45we can just snuggle
01:22:46and cuddle now
01:22:47and it's comfortable.
01:22:49You know,
01:22:49it feels like
01:22:51it's very natural.
01:22:54Hmm.
01:22:55I love you, babe.
01:22:56It's amazing.
01:22:58It is, it is.
01:23:03Being able to have
01:23:04a night like this
01:23:05is just perfect.
01:23:07It's definitely something
01:23:08that I see us doing
01:23:10a lot more of
01:23:10in the future.
01:23:13I got you.
01:23:15Thank you, sir.
01:23:18Mm-hmm.
01:23:18Oh, got your balance.
01:23:19I got it.
01:23:20Thanks again.
01:23:21You're very welcome.
01:23:22So nice meeting you.
01:23:23Can I say hi to Tuxedo?
01:23:24Yes.
01:23:25Very sweet and very soft.
01:23:27Hi, Tuxedo.
01:23:29Hi.