MovieChat Forums > My 600-lb Life (2012) Discussion > Why is the show always the same Dr/locat...

Why is the show always the same Dr/location?

posted 8 years ago by dhendo
23 replies | jump to latest

Has anyone else wondered this? Why is every episode centered around the same "Dr. Now" in Houston? Seems like a weird way to produce the show in my opinion. There are probably hundreds of bariatric physicians around the country who do these types of procedures. You would think they would just follow each particular case and use a gastric bypass surgeon in their own specific area. It looks like these people go through hell when they have to make that road trip to Houston which takes them 3, 4, or 5+ days a lot of the time. That puts way more strain on their bodies and just continues to hurt their well-being even more with all of the travel and stress. TLC probably couldn't care less as long as they have decent ratings and are making a quick buck off the show. I just don't get why they would set it up this way instead of using local physicians for each individual. I mean.. there are obese people all over the U.S. that would qualify for the show, why make them travel to YOUR preferred destination when it's a reality show about THEM?

[–] Leisha_Camden 8 years ago

Most bariatric surgeons don't want to perform these procedures on people as massively overweight as 600lbs. At least when the show started, Dr Now was one of extremely few, if not the only, surgeon in the US willing to operate on patients that heavy.

[–] CrazyCatLadySandyShore 8 years ago

Yes, I think that is correct. I think there was/is fascination, interest, curiosity with people so large, so TLC decided it might draw viewers in and get good ratings because of the unusual nature of the show. In general, that seems to be a formula they use to decide whether to try a show or not.

[–] disinter 8 years ago

Has anyone else wondered this? Why is every episode centered around the same "Dr. Now" in Houston? Seems like a weird way to produce the show in my opinion.

Dr. Now is a producer as well.

[–] LadyBugKaye 8 years ago

I believe that's his son, not him, who is the producer.

[–] disinter 8 years ago

I believe that's his son, not him, who is the producer.

You are correct ma'am. I just watched the credits.

[–] CrazyCatLadySandyShore 8 years ago

I mean.. there are obese people all over the U.S. that would qualify for the show, why make them travel to YOUR preferred destination, when it's a reality show about THEM?

Actually, I think it is more a reality show about Dr. Now. I think his son is also involved in the production of the series as a producer or executive producer or something. I imagine TLC approached Dr. Now since he is a doctor who will perform surgery on 600+ pound people and most others will not. Or, Dr. Nowzaradan's son pitched the show to TLC directly and they decided to go with it. It follows a certain formula, script, outline, whatever you wish to call it, with few exceptions (Pauline, Penny) and little variation. The car ride to Houston seems to be part of the script with a stop at some fast food window(s)somewhere along the way.

[–] pondlass1 8 years ago

It follows a certain formula

I wish they'd shake up the formula a bit because it's all becoming the same no matter who's depicted. And the patient's narration - while we see scenes of rivers and trees - sounds so fake and scripted.

[–] Maya55555 8 years ago

pondlass1

That is the part that really grinds my gears. That faux prose over a landscape. UGH!!!!!!!

IT'S SOOOOOO HARD!!!!!!!!!!

"A stitch in time, saves your embarrassment." (RIP Ms. Penny LoBello)

[–] Heygirl215 8 years ago

Lol I hate that with the cheesy quote to repeat

[–] Heygirl215 8 years ago

Don't forget the mandatory grocery shopping trip where they throw in the whole junk food isle in their cart and cry in the car about how this isn't fair

[–] minkysmom82 8 years ago

He's one of the only doctors willing to operate on people that bug so the show is kinda about him

[–] dhendo 8 years ago

Thanks for the replies, that certainly clarifies things. I didn't realize his Bariatric practice were the ones who pitched the show to the network or that he was a producer.

[–] Leisha_Camden 8 years ago

I think it's his son who's the producer.

[–] mojo2004 8 years ago

Has anyone else wondered this? Why is every episode centered around the same "Dr. Now" in Houston? Seems like a weird way to produce the show in my opinion.

I don't know why the show isn't named for the doctor. As others have said his son Jonathan Nowzaradan is the creator, director & producer of the show. This show is a spin off of another series of episodes with 8 or 12 people they followed for 7 years? and did updates on all through those years. All of the people were patients at a nursing care facility that had a bunch of very obese people and Dr Now was the doctor to all. I don't know what happened with that place. They never show it on this show or speak of it. Now they follow people for 1 year.

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[–] BugisStreetAnnie 8 years ago

This show is a spin off of another series of episodes with 8 or 12 people they followed for 7 years? and did updates on all through those years. All of the people were patients at a nursing care facility that had a bunch of very obese people and Dr Now was the doctor to all. I don't know what happened with that place. They never show it on this show or speak of it. Now they follow people for 1 year.

That's interesting. I wasn't aware of that. I wonder why they only follow these people around for one year? I tried to find info of the older show on the internet but I couldn't find anything.

[–] mojo2004 8 years ago

That's interesting. I wasn't aware of that. I wonder why they only follow these people around for one year? I tried to find info of the older show on the internet but I couldn't find anything.

I think they only do it for a year because being a reality series that can include more people over the seasons. The other show was like documentary style or like a wellness project that the son ended up selling as a series. They used to show episodes that were current that included one of the success stories from that nursing facility. She maintained her weight loss and got a job working/talking to people who had the surgery or were hoping to get it. Those adjusting to life after surgery could talk to her at meetings and she told them what it would be like, the problems , the good days the bad. Once in a blue moon they will go back and show some of those stories from the 7 year group.

I looked up one of the patient's names from that group. It was Henry Foot. There is an update show for 'My 600 lb Life' on people from the group they followed a long time. It originally aired March 26th 2012 (Season 1, Episode 6). Maybe you can find it on youtube. Henry weighed 750 pounds at age 47 and maintained his weight loss after the gastric bypass. He got a job as a shuttlebus driver and he married his girlfriend. Sadly he still had health issues and passed in 2013.His update show is dedicated to his memory.

I also found the woman's name I talked about above who was in the group with Henry. Her name is Melissa. She lost 500 lbs. I found a link that has a 5 min video clip of her on 'Good Morning America'. She's still helping people.

http://smallscreen.monstersandcritics.com/melissa-and-ashley-still-struggle-in-my-600-lb-life-where-are-they-now/

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[–] geezwhatnext 8 years ago

There have been two different Ashleys on this show. Strangely, the article shows pictures of both, and reads like they think it's the same person.

[–] mojo2004 8 years ago

I had to correct my earlier post. That's Melissa who appeared on GMA and lost the 500 lbs then became a mentor to some. Ashley whose picture is at the top of the article, her episode came on while I was posting. I must have had her on the brain. (lol)

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[–] geezwhatnext 8 years ago

Melissa was amazing, although she struggled again with weight after 2-3 pregnancies. She just seemed like such a sweet person and I was really happy for her.

[–] Maya55555 8 years ago

IT IS DR. NOW'S SHOW. GET IT?

"A stitch in time, saves your embarrassment." (RIP Ms. Penny LoBello)

[–] dhendo 8 years ago

IT IS DR. NOW'S SHOW. GET IT?

Yeah that's been well documented by now, I guess you failed to read the thread and missed the part where I thanked people for those answers before you spouted off. I haven't been an avid watcher of the show, I just started catching glimpses of it this season. You know, it's important to think before posting, you might wanna try that sometime. I'm not sure why you're yelling or upset.. maybe you should cry about it some more.

Still butthurt about me calling you out on the "big fat fab life" board for being a hypocrite I see. Thanks for the rude and unintelligent input though! 

[–] pgooden 8 years ago

Show is produced by the DR and a relative - and by the way he has the bedside manner of a stick

[–] MisterFranks 8 years ago

I wonder how many of his pig patients have died after surgery?