Obesity Discussion Forums

[Obesity Discussion]

Big Medicine TLC Obesity Surgery TV show: new Seriesw/ Father & Son Surgeon Team

2007-05-08 17:17:29 -


SILVER SPRING, Md., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret that America has a serious problem with obesity. According to the American Bariatric Society, approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million obese and 9 million severely obese. In TLC's new series BIG MEDICINE, a father and son physician team fight the obesity epidemic on bariatric surgery at a time.
BIG MEDICINE premieres Monday, May 28, at 9 PM (ET/PT) and follows the personal stories of severely obese patients who turn to Houston's Methodist Weight Management Center as a life-changing last resort. One of the most innovative bariatric surgery practices, Methodistadheres to a long-term, multidisciplinary approach that includes a plan for lifelong follow-up. At the heart of the operation is passionate father and son surgeon team Robert and Garth Davis, a pair who have dedicated their professional lives to raising awareness about obesity.
BIG MEDICINE offers a behind-the-scenes look into the controversial world of bariatric surgery. The series chronicles the emotional journeysand transformation of obese people who have opted to undergo weight-loss surgery in an attempt to regain their lives. Patients are captured at various stages in the process -- before and during the surgery, through recovery and post-op care and often through cosmetic procedures designed to remove sagging skin after dramatic weight loss.
The 13-part series introduces viewers to the Methodist team of experts dedicated to lifelong patient care, including a nurse coordinator, dietitian and counselor. This group works together to evaluate patients, prepare them for the physical and psychological impact of surgery and offer long-term support through post-op programs. To Robert and Garth Davis, obesity is a disease. And while weight-loss surgery is not a cure, it can be a lifesaving option for patients who are ready to commit to long-term lifestyle changes.
Some of the extraordinary stories featured in BIG MEDICINE include a 26- year-old morbidly obese man who is a prisoner in his own home and must rely on his mother for all of his daily needs; a mother and daughter duo who have huge amounts of excess skin removed after losing a combined 225 lbs; and a 32-year- old dad weighing in at almost 500 lbs who lost both his parents from the complications of obesity and is desperate not to follow in their footsteps.
Often as gripping as the patient stories is the colorful relationshipbetween this father and son team where old school meets new school head on. Dr. Robert Davis, aka "big D," is true to the old ways of medicine and sometimes finds new techniques too flashy or unnecessary, while Dr. Garth Davis, aka "little D," is eager to modernize the business. Despite these differences, the pair unites in the operating room to fight a common enemy and change lives forever.
For more than 25 years, The Methodist Hospital in Houston has led the way in helping people achieve weight loss with safe, long-term solutions. The Methodist Weight Management Center is the only comprehensive program of its kind in Houston, offering numerous weight-loss options for patients.
BIG MEDICINE is produced by The Idea Factory. Alon Orstein is the executive producer for TLC. Stephen David and Darryl Silver are executive producers for The Idea Factory.
TLC is the only televisionnetwork dedicated to lifelong learning for viewers who want to grow up, not old. Featuring programming that explores life's key transitions and turning points, TLC presents high-quality, relatable and authentic personal stories. TLC connects more than 94 million homes in North America to the human experience with life's lessons you can't learn from books. TLC is a property of Discovery Communications, Inc., the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion people in over 170 countries. Through TV and new media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Health. DCI is owned by Discovery Holding Co. , Cox Communications Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. Source: TLC


Obesity Surgery

[William Wallace]

This could be an interesting show for anyone who is considering obesity surgery. Thanks for the heads up I may pass TLC Big Medicine on to a few people.

[Merle]

You know me and TV I will be watching!

[Irving]

big medicine on TLC? this obesity surgery show should be very good I cannot wait!

[Obesity Discussion]

So I watched Big Medicine on TLC last night, and that phychologist really annoyed me! The doctors were a nice counterbalance though. I suggest you all watch if you are interested in Obesity Surgery!

[William Wallace]

I watched Big Medicine TLC and could not figure out that accent! It sounded South African similar to a buddy of mine, yet is was a little different. Not sure.

[jblack]

Originally Posted by William Wallace

I watched Big Medicine TLC and could not figure out that accent! It sounded South African similar to a buddy of mine, yet is was a little different. Not sure.

Yes he is South African. He is very nice in person the times I have met with him.

[Merle]

Originally Posted by jblack

Yes he is South African. He is very nice in person the times I have met with him.

That is amazing you have met him you lucky guy!

[William Wallace]

Originally Posted by jblack

Yes he is South African. He is very nice in person the times I have met with him.

Just curious, how did you get to meet him

[jblack]

Originally Posted by William Wallace

Just curious, how did you get to meet him

He is the surgeon that is going to do my GBP.

[odiej]

I really enjoy watching that show. I am not a big fan of that psychologist at all, I think she was almost heartless she just gave me a bad feeling.

Congrats on getting your surgeon by this doc. He seems like a great doc.

[William Wallace]

Originally Posted by odiej

I really enjoy watching that show. I am not a big fan of that psychologist at all, I think she was almost heartless she just gave me a bad feeling.

Congrats on getting your surgeon by this doc. He seems like a great doc.

We should send her a dozen dead roses

[Cathy]

Hi,
My cousin said the show was good. I will watch it also. I'm hoping to gain information from those who have had surgery.How are the people selected to be on the show? I feel like a sponge tryign to collect information & stories.

[jblack]

Originally Posted by odiej

I really enjoy watching that show. I am not a big fan of that psychologist at all, I think she was almost heartless she just gave me a bad feeling.

Congrats on getting your surgeon by this doc. He seems like a great doc.

See what's weird is I never met with her, or even knew about her untill the show. I met with another psychologist who was really nice.

[Merle]

Originally Posted by jblack

See what's weird is I never met with her, or even knew about her untill the show. I met with another psychologist who was really nice.

Wait, is that who is doing your obesity surgery?

[odiej]

Yes Jblack is one of the lucky ones who get those docts to do his surgery.

[jblack]

Oh, I just remembered something. One of my friends was in the first episode. When they show the lady in the bar after her surgery and she says something like "now I get more flirting from men" and it shows her talking to a younger guy, that guy is my friend! I saw him and was like :wtf: and emailed him the next day and he confirmed it was him. I haven't gotten the whole story out of him yet, though.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by jblack

Oh, I just remembered something. One of my friends was in the first episode. When they show the lady in the bar after her surgery and she says something like "now I get more flirting from men" and it shows her talking to a younger guy, that guy is my friend! I saw him and was like :wtf: and emailed him the next day and he confirmed it was him. I haven't gotten the whole story out of him yet, though.

Wait, so are you going to be on TV too? :eek4: I think I know who you are talking about! That's crazy! Small world!

[jblack]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Wait, so are you going to be on TV too? :eek4: I think I know who you are talking about! That's crazy! Small world!

No, I don't think I am going to be on the show.

I've had my 15 minutes of fame on TV already. :p

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by jblack

No, I don't think I am going to be on the show.

I've had my 15 minutes of fame on TV already. :p

Were you even approached about it or is it something you have to volunteer for? I still think you should do it