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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.
00:00:13Oh God!
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.
00:00:42I never would have believed I'd be capable of this.
00:00:47Why have you lost five pounds a month?
00:00:49That is not very good progress.
00:00:51I decided I'm going to take some time off from Dr. Now's program.
00:00:54I just need to be able to give as much focus as I can to my kids.
00:00:58Yeah, that was a lot of fun, wasn't it?
00:01:00My heart is pounding.
00:01:02Oh my God!
00:01:03Oh my God!
00:01:05What?
00:01:07Life at my size has become a never-ending struggle.
00:01:14Just even breathing is a struggle.
00:01:16I have to have oxygen on all the time because my weight has put so much pressure on my lungs.
00:01:25At this point, it just feels like my whole body is falling apart.
00:01:38Some days I just want to just stay there and not move, but I still got to get up. I got two kids to raise.
00:01:51Nuna!
00:01:52Yeah?
00:01:53Can you come help me, please?
00:01:56Ivriana is 14 and Tatiana is only 12.
00:02:01They need me, so I got to make myself get up and start the day.
00:02:06I still try to do what I can to be a mom to them, but I'm very limited.
00:02:13My legs hurt. I can't walk more than like 20 feet maybe.
00:02:18I can barely go. My girls prepare our breakfast.
00:02:21Could you get that for me?
00:02:23Are you almost done making the pancake mix now?
00:02:25Is it supposed to be soft or is it supposed to be like dough?
00:02:28Really?
00:02:29And cooking and having a meal is the only activity I can do with my daughters.
00:02:36So food also means time with them.
00:02:39Food is my only escape.
00:02:41And outside of my daughters, eating is the only thing that makes any of the bad feelings that I have go away.
00:02:48And I learned that at a very young age.
00:02:51Because when I was eight, my stepdad molested me.
00:02:56That was one of the hardest times in my life.
00:02:58And to get through it, eating was the only option I had to escape the pain I was in.
00:03:04So that's when I started putting on weight.
00:03:07I never stopped or slowed down.
00:03:09And then a few years ago, it got to where I couldn't take care of myself.
00:03:13And now my mom and my brother have to help take care of me with my daughters.
00:03:17And I'm missing out on my girls growing up.
00:03:19That's what makes me the saddest.
00:03:21And I know that both of my daughters feel every bit as trapped inside this box as I do.
00:03:28Anything else on the counter that could go in this bag?
00:03:38No.
00:03:39Okay.
00:03:40Today, me and my family are packing up all my stuff to move to Houston.
00:03:45So I can try to get on Dr. Now's program to lose weight.
00:03:50I got the earliest possible date for an appointment.
00:03:54And I don't want to waste time.
00:03:55So we're just going to have to go.
00:03:57Let's go ahead and start bringing the boxes out.
00:04:00My brother's going to go with me to Houston.
00:04:02So I'm extremely thankful for him.
00:04:04Just try and get as much done as you can while I take the tubs out and put them in the trailer first.
00:04:09Okay.
00:04:10Sounds good.
00:04:12This is scary.
00:04:13But I know it's something that has to be done if I want to have a chance at a life.
00:04:18Okay.
00:04:19We're good to go.
00:04:24I met Dr. Now's for the first time and I'm nervous to meet him.
00:04:39We're here.
00:04:42I'm just a little nervous about getting my weight and how it's all going to go.
00:04:47It's been a long time since I knew exactly how much my weight was.
00:04:51So I'm worried it's higher than I think.
00:04:54So that's the only thing I don't want to find out right now.
00:04:58But I think I'm around 600.
00:05:02Maybe even a little under because I've been trying to cut back getting ready to come out here.
00:05:07Ms. Rollins?
00:05:19Step, step, and we're on.
00:05:25Well, that's a little higher than I thought.
00:05:37So I'm worried about meeting Dr. Now and what he asked to tell me.
00:05:44Hello.
00:05:45Hello.
00:05:46How are you all doing?
00:05:47Good.
00:05:48How are you, ma'am?
00:05:49All right.
00:05:50You are four foot 11.
00:05:52So that puts your BMI at 123.
00:05:56That's one of the highest BMI I have ever seen.
00:06:00So how long have you been at this weight?
00:06:02A few years I've been at least this big.
00:06:04So at what age do you notice that you're overweight?
00:06:07Since I was a little kid.
00:06:09Any trauma in childhood that drove you to overeat?
00:06:13Sorry, Josh, you don't know about this, but yes, I did.
00:06:17I was sexually abused when I was younger.
00:06:19So?
00:06:20That was the most traumatic thing that I've ever had.
00:06:23And then after that you start going to food to comfort?
00:06:27I believe so.
00:06:28I believe that's exactly what happened.
00:06:30Okay.
00:06:31So, um, we will set you up to see a therapist
00:06:35because it's gonna be important you get some help
00:06:38to talk about that trauma and see if they can help you
00:06:41with the emotional thing that drive you to eat.
00:06:44But that is something you can't ignore, okay?
00:06:47Okay.
00:06:53I'm here to see the therapist.
00:07:10The doctor now said he wanted me to go to.
00:07:13Are you Crystal?
00:07:14Hi.
00:07:15Hi Crystal, I'm Dr. Paradise.
00:07:16Hi, how you doing?
00:07:17Come on in.
00:07:18All right.
00:07:19Tell me a little about yourself.
00:07:20What were you like as an elementary school kid?
00:07:22Eh, gotta block that era.
00:07:26Okay, so tell me more about that.
00:07:28So what about, I'm suspicious.
00:07:30Okay, so, I don't know, things happen, you know?
00:07:34When you're younger, so...
00:07:37Tell me what happened when you were in that era
00:07:40that you don't want to talk about.
00:07:42Like, it's already, to me, it's already resolved.
00:07:45Like, I'm over it.
00:07:47Is there drama with the family members
00:07:48that you're worried about?
00:07:49Yeah, yeah.
00:07:50Oh, my brother's gonna be pissed.
00:07:51One of your brother's friends abused you?
00:07:53No, my brother's dad.
00:07:55I think you believe that you've moved past it,
00:07:57but I kind of don't think you have.
00:08:00Me and my brother are headed to see Dr. Paradise.
00:08:13I'm not sure what to think right now,
00:08:15because I'm a little scared to tell my brother
00:08:18about what happened to me when I was younger,
00:08:20and I don't doubt that it'll be an important step.
00:08:24It's just gonna be really hard for me.
00:08:27It's good to see you.
00:08:29Thanks again for coming.
00:08:30Hi, Josh, I'm Dr. Paradise.
00:08:31You can have a seat right next to your sister.
00:08:33Sure.
00:08:34So, welcome.
00:08:35Your sister says fantastic things about you.
00:08:37One of the things I'm working on with Crystal
00:08:41is her being honest about things that have happened to her,
00:08:46so she's protecting you from some news.
00:08:48So, she doesn't feel like she's ready,
00:08:50but I think you guys are ready.
00:08:51So, Crystal, what are we trying to tell your brother?
00:08:55Yeah.
00:08:56So, you remember when I moved in with Grandma?
00:09:02Yeah.
00:09:03And nobody knew why?
00:09:05Mm-hmm.
00:09:07Your dad molested me.
00:09:10For a very long time.
00:09:13I didn't know about that.
00:09:15I know you didn't know about any of that.
00:09:18Nobody knew about it except for Mom.
00:09:20Mom knew all about it and still stayed,
00:09:23and just stayed with him.
00:09:25Yeah, I feel like she did not do her job then.
00:09:27I think you understand her better now, don't you?
00:09:30Yeah.
00:09:32It's a lot of weight to carry those kind of secrets.
00:09:40For the past month,
00:09:41I've been working to follow Dr. Now's diet,
00:09:44and I think I've been doing well with it.
00:09:46Got some chicken up there,
00:09:47so we can, like, grill a piece of chicken, okay?
00:09:51We need some pepper, though.
00:09:52My family is doing this with me to help support me,
00:09:55so I want to find things that work for all of us,
00:09:58so I feel really good about how we're doing,
00:10:01and I feel like I'm losing weight.
00:10:03But I know the question is,
00:10:05is it enough for me to get to my goal?
00:10:07All right, I'm done.
00:10:09I'm working really hard at my exercises,
00:10:12but those have been harder,
00:10:14mostly because of my oxygen tank
00:10:16and how it gets in the way.
00:10:19You can do it.
00:10:22Eight.
00:10:23Nine.
00:10:25It's all the walking that's hard,
00:10:27but I'm still doing it and trying to lose weight
00:10:29and get to Dr. Now's goal,
00:10:31so that when I go back,
00:10:33I can get approved for my weight loss surgery,
00:10:35and all this would be for nothing if I don't.
00:10:38And go.
00:10:39And walking.
00:10:40And we're talking.
00:10:42Right here.
00:10:44I've worked really hard to make as much progress as I could
00:10:54in the last two months.
00:10:56So when I step on that scale,
00:10:58I get the number I need to get surgery.
00:11:03And to show Dr. Now and my family
00:11:05that I mean it when I say I'm going to do this.
00:11:09Ms. Rawlings?
00:11:11My hope is that this time my progress is enough
00:11:14because I know I have to make it to my goal this time.
00:11:18And if I didn't,
00:11:19things are about to get a lot harder for me.
00:11:30Your weight is $4.98.
00:11:32Wow.
00:11:33That's awesome.
00:11:35I never thought there'd be a point in my life
00:11:37where I was happy to see a number on a scale,
00:11:40but that one just made me really happy.
00:11:42Hello.
00:11:43How are you all doing?
00:11:44All right.
00:11:45How are you doing?
00:11:46Good.
00:11:49All right.
00:11:50So you started making the progress you need.
00:11:53Yes, sir.
00:11:54Great.
00:11:55So how do you feel?
00:11:57I can definitely feel a difference in my energy level.
00:12:00Well, I am proud of you for figuring out what you need to do
00:12:03and working hard.
00:12:04So Crystal, with your recent progress,
00:12:06I'm going to improve you for weight loss surgery.
00:12:09Wait.
00:12:10Are you serious?
00:12:11Yes.
00:12:12Thank you all.
00:12:13Thank you so much.
00:12:14You're welcome.
00:12:15Dr. Now said the tests and x-rays did show
00:12:25that my lungs still need to get stronger.
00:12:27So I'm working on that.
00:12:29Every chance I get to build up my energy and stamina
00:12:32so I can get off the oxygen.
00:12:34Because I'm determined to make whatever progress I have to
00:12:37to succeed and get my life back.
00:12:40Oh, there you go.
00:12:43Go, Mom!
00:12:45You can do it!
00:12:47Beautiful.
00:12:48We're going to go to this crack and then turn.
00:13:01Oh, everyone, you want to go start dinner for us?
00:13:04Sure.
00:13:05Please.
00:13:06Since my last appointment two months ago,
00:13:09I'm doing all of the things Dr. Now wanted me to.
00:13:12Okay.
00:13:13Working on my diet and doing all of my exercises.
00:13:16And with all my progress, I can start taking care of my kids again
00:13:20instead of them having to take care of me.
00:13:22And I feel like I'm so close to taking back my life like I want.
00:13:27But for the last couple of days, I've been taking a break.
00:13:31That's fast, boo-boo.
00:13:32Because I'm worried I was starting to push myself too hard.
00:13:37But I'm still trying to get around and not just sit around all day.
00:13:42I wish I could do more right now and take over all the responsibilities.
00:13:46That's my big goal.
00:13:49Aren't you supposed to hang up these?
00:13:52Those are tank tops.
00:13:53They don't go on hangers.
00:13:55You can get some.
00:13:57Go into your closet.
00:13:58You got your panties hanging up on one side.
00:14:01Floss hanging up on the other side.
00:14:03I still have work to do to get to where I need.
00:14:08But the biggest step in doing that is weight loss surgery.
00:14:11Oh, I think I dropped one.
00:14:13My bad.
00:14:15So I'm working hard to lose more weight.
00:14:17You want to help set up the table?
00:14:20Okay.
00:14:21I'll help you set the table.
00:14:23Oh, okay.
00:14:25My next Dr. Now appointment is in two months.
00:14:28And I'm going to work hard to lose enough
00:14:30to get to where I'm completely free of my oxygen dependence.
00:14:33I think it's done.
00:14:35Okay, go ahead and grab it and bring it in here.
00:14:37So I can have surgery.
00:14:39Are we ready?
00:14:40Yeah.
00:14:43It looks good, Nino.
00:14:45Yeah, good job.
00:14:46Thank you for being good children all day.
00:14:48And tomorrow night, guess what?
00:14:50I'll cook dinner.
00:14:52When I open my eyes, some days I feel like I'm living in a nightmare.
00:14:59Because with how big I am now, it's a daily struggle just to get out of bed.
00:15:17Just getting up and moving takes a lot.
00:15:27Because of my size, my wife told me that she was going to leave me.
00:15:32I called my parents up and said, I got to come home.
00:15:34And for the last few years, I've been living in my parents' basement.
00:15:38Since the divorce, I haven't been able to keep a job.
00:15:42And I lost all four kids.
00:15:43And they're everything to me.
00:15:45Because of my weight, coming out of the basement is probably the hardest thing I do all day.
00:15:51So I usually only go up once.
00:15:53I'm always starving and anxious to eat.
00:15:56My routine is to order breakfast.
00:16:00And then get cleaned up while I wait for it to be delivered.
00:16:03I'm going to get the Lumberjack Slam Pack.
00:16:05One of those ultimate omelets.
00:16:07Order the cinnamon roll pancakes.
00:16:09The double moons over my hammy sandwich.
00:16:11And then to drink, I want two chocolate milks.
00:16:15Two chocolate milks, all right.
00:16:17Thank you very much.
00:16:19Food helps me to escape the depression that I've had since I stopped playing college football.
00:16:26There's almost nothing in this world that can compare to the feeling of taking that first bite.
00:16:32He had a scholarship to college for football.
00:16:36He ended up getting two concussions and couldn't play anymore.
00:16:40Michael was devastated.
00:16:42That was how he had always identified.
00:16:45And I want Michael to realize that he doesn't need to be playing football to be the best that he can be.
00:16:52Yeah!
00:16:55Chinese tonight.
00:16:57Oh, good.
00:16:58My biggest fear is that he will be trapped in our basement.
00:17:03I get one of those ribbons or what do you call those things?
00:17:06Crab raccoons?
00:17:07Yeah.
00:17:08Yeah, I guess I'll let you have one.
00:17:10My concern is that he's getting closer.
00:17:13Being stuck in a bed all day.
00:17:15My dad's going to come to Houston with me to see Dr. Now.
00:17:18Because I need to turn my life around and I'm ready to fight to do that.
00:17:30It is hot.
00:17:31Welcome to Texas.
00:17:33You finally ready for this?
00:17:35Let's go.
00:17:36Me and my dad are in Houston and we are on time for my appointment with Dr. Now.
00:17:41And I'm hoping to get his help and weight loss surgery.
00:17:45But I know he'll want me to prove myself before he moves ahead with me.
00:17:49And I'm ready to do that.
00:17:51And step up on the scale, please.
00:17:52The only thing I'm nervous about is finding out my weight.
00:18:05I'm just hoping it's in the low 700s.
00:18:08Your weight is 745.
00:18:12Okay.
00:18:13And now we're going to room 5.
00:18:15Room 5, okay.
00:18:16So what seems to be a problem with your overheating?
00:18:20It drove me into a major depression.
00:18:22Once I stopped playing football and eating was my coping mechanism.
00:18:27Everybody in their life has bad events.
00:18:29So I couldn't play football, now I'm going to eat and kill myself for the food.
00:18:33This is a mentality that has to change.
00:18:36Or nothing we do will help you.
00:18:38It's going to be up to you to turn your life around.
00:18:41You think you can do that?
00:18:43Absolutely.
00:18:44Then I'm going to give you 2 months.
00:18:46You should be able to lose 100 pounds in 2 months.
00:18:49And if you do that, then you're going to have to move down here.
00:18:52Okay?
00:18:53Okay.
00:18:54So that's something you think you can do.
00:18:56I have to look into it.
00:18:57So if I have to, I have to.
00:19:00Well, if you want to change your life, you're going to have to do a lot of hard work.
00:19:04Yeah.
00:19:05Hopefully, Mike will take this seriously to make the progress he needs by his next appointment.
00:19:12Because he can't afford to waste any time.
00:19:15And moving here would be, I'll lose the custody of my kids.
00:19:18So I'm definitely committed to my health.
00:19:20But if it comes down to my kids or getting surgery down here, I'll choose my kids 100% of the time.
00:19:25It's been three weeks since I've seen Dr. Now from my first appointment.
00:19:30And for the past few weeks, I've made a lot of changes to my whole life.
00:19:37Changing how I eat and getting the exercise and activity I need every day.
00:19:41I want to lose more than what he told me to lose.
00:19:44Just walking is boring and I've always loved sports.
00:19:46So it's been fun to pick up a ball and shoot some hoops.
00:19:49So I'm feeling really good.
00:19:51I would say my energy is probably, I'll scale one to ten, about a fifteen.
00:19:54I don't get worn out as easy.
00:19:55I don't get worn out as easy as I've ever seen.
00:19:57It's been a lot of changes to my whole life.
00:19:58It's been a lot of changes to my whole life.
00:19:59It's been a lot of changes to my whole life.
00:20:00Changing how I eat.
00:20:01And getting the exercise and activity I need every day.
00:20:03I want to lose more than what he told me to lose.
00:20:06Just walking is boring and I've always loved sports.
00:20:09So it's been fun to pick up a ball and shoot some hoops.
00:20:12I don't get worn out as easily anymore.
00:20:15So I'm excited about that.
00:20:17And I'm also excited about my weight loss because I feel like I'm losing a lot of weight.
00:20:22Forty or fifty pounds I think I've lost over the past three weeks.
00:20:26Maybe more.
00:20:27So I know I'm going to be ready when I go back to see Dr. Now in a little over a month.
00:20:31Can I stay and listen?
00:20:32Sure.
00:20:33Hi, Mike.
00:20:34Hi, doctor.
00:20:35How are you doing?
00:20:36I'm doing okay.
00:20:37So I'm calling you because you haven't been able to come down and she has to keep your appointment.
00:20:41So why are you not back for your follow-up appointment?
00:20:43Um, I'm going to get to spend some time with the kids in a couple of days.
00:20:44So I just have to make that a priority right now.
00:20:45But I know I'll be able to come down the next month.
00:20:46I'm going to be able to come down the next month.
00:21:02Um, I'm going to get to spend some time with the kids in a couple days.
00:21:04So I just have to make that a priority right now.
00:21:06But I know I'll be able to come down the next month.
00:21:07I know I'll be able to come down the next month.
00:21:09You realize if you don't lose weight,
00:21:12then you're going to be very limited in the future with them.
00:21:15I do realize that.
00:21:16I'm working to change that, Dr. Now.
00:21:18I just need some time to focus on something that's very important to me.
00:21:20That's been an issue for me for years.
00:21:23Okay.
00:21:24Well, then I'm going to give you an extra month,
00:21:27but I want you to lose an additional 25 pounds in that time.
00:21:32So that will make your total goal 125 pounds to lose by next month.
00:21:37You think you can do that one?
00:21:38Absolutely.
00:21:40All right. Bye now.
00:21:41Bye.
00:21:45That went well.
00:21:46I thought so.
00:21:50I'm back in Houston to see Dr. Now for my next appointment.
00:21:54Oh, man. It looks like we're here.
00:21:56This time, my sister came with me to support me.
00:21:58But I'm back down a month later, just like I promised Dr. Now.
00:22:03And I'm ready to show him the progress I've made.
00:22:08Michael.
00:22:10But I still don't know the exact number of how much I've lost.
00:22:13So I'm looking forward to finding that out today.
00:22:17We can step up on the scale, please.
00:22:19At my last weight check-in, I was at 745 pounds.
00:22:23And my goal for today ended up being to lose 125 pounds total.
00:22:27So that means I need to be at 620 pounds by now.
00:22:34I love it.
00:22:37We're going to room five.
00:22:39Room five. Thank you.
00:22:40So I feel good about that.
00:22:42I see you lost just over 100 pounds.
00:22:45Yeah.
00:22:46Well, that's good.
00:22:47You didn't get to working on the 25 pounds I told you to lose for last month.
00:22:52But that's still a lot of weight off your body.
00:22:55Do you feel any better?
00:22:56I feel a lot better.
00:22:57So I'm going to prove you for weight loss surgery now.
00:23:00As long as you move down to Houston, does that sound good?
00:23:04Absolutely.
00:23:05Okay, great.
00:23:06So when do you think you'll be able to move down here?
00:23:09I have to figure that out, but hopefully soon.
00:23:11I have a video call with Dr. Now today.
00:23:23I've been putting off the follow-up with him.
00:23:26Because I know Dr. Now is going to want an update on me moving to Houston.
00:23:29And right now, it's not an option for me because of my custody situation with my kids.
00:23:35Hi, Mike.
00:23:41How are you?
00:23:42I'm good.
00:23:42How are you, Dr. Now?
00:23:44Good.
00:23:45Where are you at with moving down?
00:23:47I tried to figure it out and find an option.
00:23:49But I'm being told if I move down, I lose the chance to share custody with my kids.
00:23:52So it's just not going to work for me to move there.
00:23:54I can't sacrifice being able to see my kids and being a part of their life.
00:23:58Okay, no one expects you to give that out.
00:24:01I'll tell you what we can do.
00:24:03Okay?
00:24:04If you commit to come down for two months so we can make sure you fully return from surgery
00:24:10and you stay on track immediately afterward, we will make that work.
00:24:14Is that something you can do?
00:24:16Yes, I'll figure it out.
00:24:17Okay, you stay on track and let me know when you move down here.
00:24:21Thank you, Dr. Now.
00:24:23I think what Dr. Now offered could work.
00:24:25So I'm excited about that.
00:24:26I got your food.
00:24:29Put that inside here.
00:24:31Okay.
00:24:31It's been about a month and a half since Dr. Now told me I only needed to come down to
00:24:35Houston for a couple months.
00:24:36My dad is going to be the one who moves with me.
00:24:39So I've really been working hard so I don't get off track.
00:24:41Yep.
00:24:42I'll be coming to visit.
00:24:46Come here.
00:24:47Bye.
00:24:48Love you.
00:24:50Texas, here we come.
00:24:54Put the window down.
00:24:56Drive careful.
00:25:02Have fun.
00:25:03See ya.
00:25:03All right.
00:25:04Love you.
00:25:06Here we go.
00:25:06Here we go.
00:25:06Can't wait to get out of this car.
00:25:20We're here.
00:25:28This will get you in shape.
00:25:30Me and my dad made it to Houston this morning to our rental place where we will be staying
00:25:35at.
00:25:36It only took us a couple days to get here this time because of how much more I can handle.
00:25:41Oh, this is nice.
00:25:45This will be your room.
00:25:47No table.
00:25:49This looks like something Dr. Now would prescribe.
00:25:52No table.
00:25:53That way we don't eat.
00:25:56The place is nice.
00:25:58It'll be fine for two months.
00:25:59Can't wait to get back to Ohio.
00:26:01You ready for this?
00:26:11Yep.
00:26:11See you later.
00:26:12Well, everyone's praying for you, so I'll be here.
00:26:15I will be too.
00:26:16Okay, starting the first incision.
00:26:27Turn a bit higher.
00:26:29Okay, let's transition now.
00:26:33Mike has also continued to lose some weight over the past month, but it is clear his weight
00:26:38loss is starting to slow.
00:26:40So this surgery is going to be an important tool for Mike, but ultimately he has a lot of
00:26:46issues he needs to work on if he wants to stay on track for the long term.
00:26:53All right, we can remove the stomach.
00:26:58Keep going, keep going, keep going.
00:27:01He had a lot of fatty tissue in his stomach.
00:27:04All right.
00:27:05Okay, we can switch it in now.
00:27:10Mike will be on a liquid diet for a month, and he should be able to lose 40 pounds in the
00:27:15first month, and then after 20 to 30 pounds each month until he gets to his target weight.
00:27:21So we still have a lot of work to do to get Mike to where he will be able to maintain a
00:27:27healthy lifestyle for the long term.
00:27:29It's been about a month since my surgery, and I'm feeling good.
00:27:40But I had an appointment with Dr. Now a few days ago, and he told me I haven't lost as much
00:27:45as I should have this past month.
00:27:47And he thinks it's because of some of my emotional issues.
00:27:50I'm Dr. Paradise.
00:27:51Come on in.
00:27:52Okay.
00:27:54You can have a seat right there.
00:27:55Okay.
00:27:55So he wants me to start therapy to make sure I keep making progress.
00:27:59Welcome.
00:28:00Tell me a little bit about yourself.
00:28:02From central Ohio.
00:28:04I have four kids.
00:28:05Okay.
00:28:06With my ex-wife.
00:28:07What was childhood like for you?
00:28:09I was playing sports.
00:28:10A lot of energy?
00:28:11Yeah, tons of energy.
00:28:11You're a big guy.
00:28:12What sport do you play?
00:28:13Football, basketball, baseball.
00:28:15So being a little overweight probably wasn't a bad thing for football.
00:28:18Nope.
00:28:19I got a forward football scholarship from it and everything.
00:28:21How'd that work out?
00:28:22I started the first five games as a freshman, got two concussions, lost my memory, lost
00:28:28scholarship.
00:28:29Wow.
00:28:29Okay.
00:28:30So what happened after you lost your scholarship?
00:28:33Football was my life, and when it was taken away from me is when my depression started.
00:28:38In the first nine months, I gained 150 pounds.
00:28:42Wow.
00:28:42In just less than a year, you gained 150 pounds.
00:28:45Okay.
00:28:46So food replaces football.
00:28:48Yep.
00:28:48How long did you get divorced?
00:28:50Three years ago.
00:28:50She took the house, took the car, I wasn't allowed to have anything, couldn't see the
00:28:55kids.
00:28:56You know, Mike, I'm noticing, though, this pattern of, like, something bad happens, and
00:29:00then it, like, rolls downhill from there, that you take a setback and you turn it into
00:29:05something really, really big.
00:29:07But I want to figure out a way for you to recognize, okay, I'm having a setback, now I need to step
00:29:13up.
00:29:14What'd you do when you guys were down at a football game?
00:29:16And you didn't go sit on the sideline, right?
00:29:19Try to figure out what we need to do to win.
00:29:21So what are we going to do to make sure you're not going to sit on the sideline and wait out
00:29:26the rest of the game?
00:29:28Continue what I'm doing.
00:29:30Yeah, losing the weight, keeping your exercise up.
00:29:32What's a goal you could have with your kids?
00:29:35More physical activity.
00:29:36More physical activity.
00:29:37Go outside and shoot who would play catch.
00:29:39Okay.
00:29:40I really think you can be a huge success.
00:29:42I'm really glad you came.
00:29:44I'm looking forward to hearing all your progress.
00:29:57Milk, soup, cottage cheese, pudding, jello, tuna.
00:30:01I've been back home for about a month and I feel like I'm doing well and staying on track.
00:30:06The weight loss surgery has really cut my appetite down so I can't eat much.
00:30:10I still have some cravings every now and then, but not nearly like I did before surgery.
00:30:14And I'm exercising every day.
00:30:19And my dad helps me with my workouts and does them with me.
00:30:22You ready to take a walk?
00:30:24Yep.
00:30:26So I feel a lot better than I have in a really long time.
00:30:29Oh, man.
00:30:30Beautiful.
00:30:31Nice breeze.
00:30:32And I feel like my life is starting to come back together.
00:30:36You keeping up with me?
00:30:37I'm still fighting to have my kids and my life more.
00:30:40Okay.
00:30:40Let's turn around.
00:30:42Not enough.
00:30:43You got to touch the stop sign.
00:30:44You can turn around then.
00:30:46Touch the stop sign.
00:30:49We'll get you running here in a few months.
00:30:51I'm going to the grocery.
00:31:11It's been a couple weeks since my last appointment with Dr. Now.
00:31:14And I've been working on doing better with my diet and exercises just to keep upping my game to do better.
00:31:19I'm trying to get even healthier food options to lose more weight each month.
00:31:37I have another appointment with Dr. Now in a month and a half.
00:31:41And I'm going to try to stay on track and hit my goal by then so I can keep moving forward.
00:31:44I'm determined to get healthy enough to try and get custody of my kids back and be there for them.
00:31:51And I feel like I'm getting close to that.
00:31:53How are you doing, man?
00:31:54I'm good.
00:31:54How are you?
00:31:55Good.
00:31:55You getting me right?
00:31:56Oh, yeah.
00:31:57Difference a couple months makes.
00:31:58So I want to work harder to make everything I'm working for happen.
00:32:04As I lose more weight, it will enable me to get out on my own and get a home for my kids.
00:32:08But I know I have a lot to do and a lot to fight for to get to that point.
00:32:12And I'm focused on doing whatever it takes to make that happen.
00:32:15I am super nervous today.
00:32:36I'm super nervous.
00:32:38Hopefully he's impressed with my results and that he's happy with what I've been doing
00:32:45and that I'm hoping to get approved for surgery.
00:32:51At my last appointment, Dr. Now said he would approve me if I got off oxygen.
00:32:57I've worked so hard over the last couple of months.
00:33:00Mostly are my exercises.
00:33:03I have done them every single day.
00:33:05And a few weeks ago, I was able to go a whole day without using oxygen.
00:33:10It was the first full day in years that I haven't needed to use it.
00:33:14And now I'm completely off of it.
00:33:18So I'm really hoping that means I'm going to be able to move ahead with weight loss surgery.
00:33:30Crystal?
00:33:32Hi.
00:33:32Hi.
00:33:33Look at you.
00:33:34How are you doing?
00:33:34No oxygen.
00:33:35I know.
00:33:36And walking.
00:33:37I know, right?
00:33:38How have you been?
00:33:39I've been fine.
00:33:42At my last appointment a few months ago, I was down to 498 pounds.
00:33:46And Dr. Now told me just lose enough to get the strain off my body.
00:33:50And with how I'm doing now, I think that'll be a lot.
00:33:58Light as a feather.
00:34:07Okay.
00:34:09All right.
00:34:10It's not where I wanted to be, but okay.
00:34:12Okay.
00:34:12That wasn't as much loss as I thought I was going to have.
00:34:20But the big thing is, I'm not dependent on oxygen anymore.
00:34:24I'm really hoping that's enough for Dr. Now to tell me I can move ahead today.
00:34:36Hello.
00:34:37Hi.
00:34:37How's it going?
00:34:38Okay.
00:34:39How are you all doing?
00:34:40We're good.
00:34:40Great.
00:34:41So, Crystal, you're down to 476.
00:34:47Yes.
00:34:48That's not as much as you should have lost in three months.
00:34:51But you seem like you're doing better.
00:34:54Yeah, something like that.
00:34:55And you're off of the oxygen?
00:34:57Yes, all the way.
00:34:59And how much you can do walking before you get the short winded?
00:35:03Um, I don't know exactly how many steps it is, but I can go pretty far now.
00:35:09You're not getting short of breath?
00:35:11I still get short of breath, but not as bad.
00:35:13And I don't use my inhaler.
00:35:14I just stop, catch my breath, and then I can keep going.
00:35:18All right.
00:35:18How's the swelling of your feet?
00:35:20They're good, actually.
00:35:22They've gotten a lot better.
00:35:23Well, 135 pounds is a good weight loss.
00:35:28So, since you're off of the oxygen and you're doing so good, we're going to get some x-ray
00:35:35on you today and see how your lung is doing.
00:35:38If your lung looks healthy enough, I'm going to approve you for weight loss surgery.
00:35:42Okay.
00:35:43Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome.
00:35:45Okay.
00:35:46I'm approved, approved, approved, approved.
00:35:48Yes.
00:35:49And we're going to approve you for surgery, but you're going to do some testing on you
00:35:52to make sure you're okay.
00:35:54Okay.
00:35:54So, how long before I can get the surgery?
00:35:58Well, if your lung looks good, then one month, but you're going to have to continue to lose weight.
00:36:04Because if you don't lose weight, we're not going to do your surgery.
00:36:08Oh, no, I'm going to keep losing weight.
00:36:09That's not an issue.
00:36:11I'm going to keep losing the weight.
00:36:12Okay.
00:36:13Yes, I understand.
00:36:14Thank you so much.
00:36:15All right.
00:36:15Isn't that exciting?
00:36:16I got approved.
00:36:17Yeah.
00:36:18Yes.
00:36:19We'll see you all later.
00:36:20All right.
00:36:23All right, you ready?
00:36:24I was glad Crystal's progress in getting off of the oxygen.
00:36:29She has made significant changes in the eating habit, and she's progressing very well.
00:36:34But I'm concerned just losing 22 pounds of weight may not have been enough to reduce the strain
00:36:41for her to handle the surgery, but we'll see once we run the test and go from there.
00:36:48I am super excited because I am approved for surgery.
00:36:54It was really nice to see that Dr. Now is proud of me.
00:36:57It just means I'm one more step closer to my goal.
00:37:01I'm really hoping my lungs are healthy enough.
00:37:04But I guess that's just going to depend on what the tests say.
00:37:17There's the football field.
00:37:19Pretty excited about coming here right now.
00:37:20I'm supposed to be back at Dr. Now soon, and I've been working hard to do better and lose
00:37:27at least 40 pounds by then.
00:37:31I've been coming to my old high school track to run laps a few times a week.
00:37:35Right now, we are at Marion Harding Football Stadium, the place I spent a lot of time growing up and where I spent a lot of my time
00:37:45perfecting the game I love playing most, football.
00:37:50My parents' season tickets are row 15, the first two seats.
00:37:54They've been the season tickets for 27 years.
00:37:57Fun times.
00:37:59And it's made me think even more about my kids and how much more I need to be there for them.
00:38:05They've always been my priority, and I've been working hard to get healthier for them.
00:38:09But at this point, I have a lot more energy.
00:38:12And I'm able to do a whole lot more since I lost probably over 250 pounds at this point.
00:38:17So I've come a long way from 745 pounds.
00:38:20I think I'm ready now to do what I need to get custody of my kids.
00:38:25And I don't want to lose any more time with them.
00:38:28So I've decided I'm going to take some time off from Dr. Now's program.
00:38:32Probably a few months.
00:38:33I just need some time to prioritize my kids and what they need from me.
00:38:38And right now, what they need from me is to get a home set up for them.
00:38:41So I need to move out of my parents' basement.
00:38:45Which means I may need a better job.
00:38:46And then after that, I'll be able to go back and keep my appointments with Dr. Now.
00:38:53Okay.
00:38:54That's good.
00:38:56This place brings back a lot of memories.
00:38:58The crowd was always full of the band playing.
00:39:01Football was my life.
00:39:02It's all I did.
00:39:03The rush you get playing football, it's something different.
00:39:08Being on the field is nice.
00:39:10Because I know a couple months ago, I wouldn't even have wanted to get out of my bed and come out here and see it.
00:39:18I just, I tried to hide from what I've become as a person.
00:39:21And coming back here and seeing all the people that saw me back in high school and then seeing me now.
00:39:30Now it's like I'm on this journey and I'm just not hiding from it anymore.
00:39:37I'm feeling good.
00:39:38I have a, I feel better about myself and it just feels good to be out.
00:39:43I heard 30 days in a row makes it a habit.
00:39:46So positive results only come when you do stuff.
00:39:51I'm not taking a break from what I need to do to stay on track.
00:39:54I'm going to keep losing no matter what.
00:39:57I just need to be able to give as much focus as I can to reach those goals for my kids.
00:40:16It's super hot out here.
00:40:29I don't know.
00:40:30Yes.
00:40:31Don't put him over there.
00:40:32Because if you leave him over there, he's just going to keep getting in it.
00:40:35After my test, I was really disappointed to hear from the doctor now that I wasn't ready.
00:40:40He told me that my lungs don't look healthy enough just yet.
00:40:43So that was hard to hear.
00:40:44But the good news is he said I'm close and he could see good improvement.
00:40:49It's way too hot out here today.
00:40:51Yeah.
00:40:53So he told me I need to keep doing my exercises and losing weight and that we check again in two months.
00:41:00Erase it in the house.
00:41:02Yep.
00:41:02Just bring him back over here.
00:41:05So that's what I'm doing.
00:41:10I'm getting up and doing a lot to the stairs and back every two hours.
00:41:14So I'm active all day to keep building up my stamina and my strength.
00:41:26There's so much time in the house.
00:41:28You're going to be ready for me.
00:41:29Because you're very active and that's myМы.
00:41:30There's so much time to wake you up.
00:41:39I think she's talking about you.
00:41:44My baby, thanks for letting us know you.
00:41:45There's so much time to wake you up.
00:41:46There's so much time to wake you up.
00:41:50Can I see you?
00:41:52There's so much time to wake you up.
00:41:52There's so much time to wake you up.
00:41:53And I'm sticking to the diet religiously to make sure I lose as much weight as possible
00:42:04by the next appointment.
00:42:07I've worked so hard to keep making progress, and I'm going to keep going and do whatever
00:42:19I have to to make it to my goal.
00:42:22So I'm going to push myself to do my best.
00:42:24Hi, Brianna.
00:42:25Yes?
00:42:26Are you going to help me or just put that on there?
00:42:30Do you want me to just drop the whole bag?
00:42:32Yeah, that's fine.
00:42:33And hopefully, by next month, my test will show I'm ready for my weight loss surgery.
00:42:39Are you kidding me?
00:42:41And the dog's down there getting cucumbers.
00:42:44At least she likes them.
00:42:47Are you excited about today?
00:42:54Yes and no.
00:42:55I'm super nervous.
00:42:56Nervous about what?
00:42:58The scale.
00:42:59I need it to go down.
00:43:01So hopefully it goes down.
00:43:03You got this.
00:43:04We got this.
00:43:05My neighbor Tasha offered to drive me to Dr. Now's clinic this morning because I couldn't
00:43:18find my house keys, and that put me on a time crunch.
00:43:21I guess Tasha is the first friend I made since moving to Houston, which has been nice for
00:43:27me as I'm used to spending the time with my girls or alone.
00:43:31Let me open the door for you.
00:43:33Let me get the door.
00:43:34No, let me get the door.
00:43:35I learned at church.
00:43:36Got you.
00:43:37Got you, Thug.
00:43:38I've been pushing myself so hard to do better and to make sure I get approved for weight loss
00:43:44surgery this time because the only way to make that happen was to lose a lot more weight
00:43:49and get stronger.
00:43:51So I'm confident I've done that now.
00:43:55Crystal?
00:43:56Okay, you ready?
00:43:57Okay.
00:43:58At the last appointment two months ago, I was down to 476 pounds.
00:44:03I only lost a little over 22 pounds that time, and Dr. Now said it should have been more.
00:44:08So I worked to make sure it was this time.
00:44:11So I'm hoping to see a bigger drop than that today.
00:44:14Especially since Tasha has come with me.
00:44:17I'm super excited.
00:44:19All right.
00:44:20Here we go.
00:44:23My heart is pounding.
00:44:31Oh my God.
00:44:32Oh my God.
00:44:33What?
00:44:34You did?
00:44:35Oh my God.
00:44:36That is...
00:44:37Oh my God.
00:44:38That's like 30 pounds.
00:44:39Hey.
00:44:40Shut up.
00:44:41Give it up.
00:44:42No.
00:44:43No.
00:44:44I'm not even lying to you.
00:44:45That's like 30 pounds, huh?
00:44:47No.
00:44:48There's another one there.
00:44:49Hold on.
00:44:50Hold on.
00:44:51I'm proud of you.
00:44:52Come on.
00:44:53Yeah.
00:44:54That's what's up.
00:44:58Are you kidding me?
00:45:00This girl doesn't lie.
00:45:01That's what the doctor said or anything.
00:45:03Yeah.
00:45:06I'm so proud of you.
00:45:11I didn't think I did that, but I was very proud of myself.
00:45:13That shows that working at what I was doing was worth it.
00:45:17I feel like I'm ready.
00:45:19So hopefully my body finally is too.
00:45:23I'm trying not to feel this way, but at the same time, I'm really counting on hearing Dr. Now say, yes, you will approve me.
00:45:32I'm about to see doctor now, and I'm really hoping my 40 pound weight loss is going to be enough for me to move ahead with my weight loss surgery.
00:45:45I've worked so hard for so long, so I really need today and this appointment to be the one where I finally move ahead.
00:45:58Hello, how are you all doing?
00:45:59All right, how are you doing?
00:46:00I'm doing well.
00:46:01How about you?
00:46:02Good, everything's going good.
00:46:03So I see you lost some weight this time.
00:46:04Yes, I did.
00:46:05All right, so since you lost that weight, I'm going to approve you for weight loss surgery for next month.
00:46:28Oh, my God.
00:46:29Congratulations.
00:46:30Oh my God.
00:46:33Oh, my God.
00:46:34Oh, my God.
00:46:36But here's the deal.
00:46:37I'm going to set up for all your testing at the hospital.
00:46:40And if there is any concern about how you handle the surgery, we're not moving ahead
00:46:46now.
00:46:47And then the other thing is, if you come to hospital and you haven't lost any weight,
00:46:51we're going to cancel your surgery.
00:46:52Okay.
00:46:53Okay?
00:46:54I'm not going to do that.
00:46:55So stick with the program and we will set you up for surgery.
00:46:57Okay?
00:46:58Sounds good.
00:46:59Okay.
00:47:00Great.
00:47:01All right.
00:47:02Well, you come a long way from the first day I saw you on oxygen and you were in bad
00:47:08shape.
00:47:09You got a lot of medical condition, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure.
00:47:13It's one of the highest BMI's I have ever seen.
00:47:16And being in oxygen, sleep apnea, asthma, so you're going to have to lose weight quickly
00:47:23because you don't have a lot of time to waste.
00:47:25The next operation is going to change your life more and you're going to be in better
00:47:31shape and different person.
00:47:33And once you lose some weight and you get in the 200s, then we can take extra skin off
00:47:38of you.
00:47:40You really have, you don't understand.
00:47:43I'm okay.
00:47:44I don't want to cry, but to be honest, really just time that I've come just from the first
00:47:49time I met you till now has just knowing that when I first met you, I couldn't even take
00:47:55four or five steps without not being able to breathe to being able to walk in here.
00:47:59And I don't even actually, half the time I just walk with the cane is mostly, it's more
00:48:04like a, a security blanket.
00:48:06It's not even, I don't actually normally use the cane.
00:48:09I just have it just in case.
00:48:11Like I don't use the oxygen anymore.
00:48:13I, my wheelchair, I used to bring a wheelchair with me.
00:48:16I don't even have the wheelchair anymore, you know?
00:48:18So you've helped me so much.
00:48:19Like you're, you're a godsend.
00:48:22So I, I thank you.
00:48:23And I thank you for this opportunity.
00:48:25I, I, I just want you to know that I, I really do appreciate this.
00:48:29So thank you.
00:48:32But you did the hard work and we get your road map and you had to follow it.
00:48:36So you done very well and you had some hiccup in between, but you finally caught up and overall
00:48:44you come a long way.
00:48:45I'm proud of you for doing that.
00:48:47But we need to make sure your lungs and your body are ready to handle the surgery.
00:48:53So keep working on it and get yourself in better shape for your surgery.
00:48:58Okay.
00:48:59All right.
00:49:01All right.
00:49:02See you soon.
00:49:03Okay.
00:49:04Sounds good.
00:49:06Yay.
00:49:07I'm proud of you.
00:49:08Oh my God.
00:49:09All the tears of joy.
00:49:10I'm gonna be crying.
00:49:11I'm not supposed to be crying.
00:49:12You, you better be crying.
00:49:13You, you're happy.
00:49:14Oh my God.
00:49:15You deserve that.
00:49:16Okay.
00:49:17And you ready?
00:49:18Yes.
00:49:19Okay.
00:49:20Okay.
00:49:21Okay.
00:49:22Okay.
00:49:23Okay.
00:49:24Okay.
00:49:25Okay.
00:49:26Okay.
00:49:27Okay.
00:49:28And you ready?
00:49:29Yeah.
00:49:30I'm ecstatic.
00:49:31The fact that Dr. Now actually scheduled me for weight loss surgery makes me feel confident
00:49:36I'm gonna get it this time.
00:49:38I know I have to have all the tests run, but I think I'm going to pass them.
00:49:43And that in a month, I'll finally get my weight loss surgery I've worked so hard for.
00:49:49I am very proud of Crystal for not only continuing to make progress, but doing better and picking
00:49:56up the pace with her weight loss for the past couple of months.
00:50:01I got to open the door for you.
00:50:05I know she was disappointed that the tests last time showed that she need to make more
00:50:10progress.
00:50:11I know she has done that.
00:50:14The only question is if her body is finally ready for surgery.
00:50:20In particular, we need to make sure her lungs and heart are stronger to handle the surgery.
00:50:27If not, she will have to even make more progress.
00:50:31But hopefully, that won't be the case.
00:50:35Okay?
00:50:36Okay.
00:50:37All right.
00:50:38And I promise I'll call you as soon as I get up back in here afterwards.
00:50:53Okay?
00:50:54Okay.
00:50:55All right, baby.
00:50:56I love you.
00:50:57I love you, too.
00:51:02It's been a week since I saw Dr. Now.
00:51:05And they did testing in my lungs and some other things yesterday.
00:51:09And they're doing my heart and checking my stomach today.
00:51:14And it's been nerve-wracking because I just want everything to be perfect and good.
00:51:18So there's no reason for anything to come in and take away my surgery.
00:51:22Hey, Crystal.
00:51:23Hi, Dr. Now.
00:51:25So we're going to do endoscopy and you see how things are.
00:51:28How is your breathing?
00:51:29I'm good, actually.
00:51:30I'm doing real good.
00:51:31I had a chance to check what your weight is.
00:51:34You lost another five pound this week.
00:51:36That's not bad.
00:51:37Okay.
00:51:38So we're going to do endoscopy, see how things are.
00:51:41And then decide if you're ready to move ahead with surgery in a few weeks.
00:51:46And, of course, we're going to see what the cardiologist said about your heart.
00:51:49Okay.
00:51:50And at risk of anesthesia and all those things, okay?
00:51:53Okay.
00:51:54Sounds good.
00:51:55But every pant that you lose, you got to have less complication with your anesthesia, okay?
00:52:01Okay.
00:52:02All right.
00:52:03We'll get you started in a few minutes.
00:52:04See how things are, okay?
00:52:05All right.
00:52:06Thank you so much.
00:52:07All right.
00:52:08I'll see you then.
00:52:09All right.
00:52:11Hello.
00:52:12Hi.
00:52:13So I guess he's going to knock me out to check in my stomach.
00:52:24And I'm not crazy about it.
00:52:26But if it gets me to my surgery, then I'm ready.
00:52:30Let's do it.
00:52:31Is this the awesome one yet?
00:52:34So far, Crystal's test of her lungs look good.
00:52:38But the biggest question and concern right now is her heart.
00:52:44Her BMI is one of the highest I have ever seen when she came in.
00:52:49She does have hydrohemia.
00:52:50So all that strain and her weight took a toll on her whole body, but especially on her lungs
00:52:59and her heart.
00:53:00Okay?
00:53:01Okay.
00:53:02Great.
00:53:03So that is the last thing that could prevent her surgery right now.
00:53:16Because if there is even a slightest issue that gives us any concern that her heart may
00:53:21not be strong enough to handle the surgery, then we have to cancel it so she can continue
00:53:27to make progress and improve her health.
00:53:30Turn on your side if you don't like it.
00:53:33There's a good chance that could be the case.
00:53:36So we'll see what her tests say here soon.
00:53:39And find out if we are moving ahead with her or not.
00:53:43Are you ready?
00:53:44It's a whole new beginning.
00:53:45Oh my God, I'm so excited for you.
00:53:46I worked so hard for this.
00:53:47And this is what I came here for.
00:53:48Don't make me cry.
00:53:49Don't.
00:53:50Please.
00:53:51I'm so proud of you for real.
00:53:52Today I am proud to say that I am finally moving ahead with my weight loss surgery.
00:53:56And I couldn't be happier.
00:53:57And I couldn't be happier.
00:53:58Wow.
00:53:59Wow.
00:54:00Wow.
00:54:01Wow.
00:54:02Wow.
00:54:03Wow.
00:54:04Wow.
00:54:05Wow.
00:54:06This is what I am so excited and I'm so excited for you.
00:54:08It's a whole new beginning and-
00:54:09Oh my God, I'm so excited for you.
00:54:10I worked so hard for this and this is what I came here for.
00:54:12And you're gonna get this.
00:54:13Don't make me cry, don't-
00:54:14Please.
00:54:15I'm so proud of you for real.
00:54:16Today I'm proud to say that I am finally moving ahead with my weight loss surgery.
00:54:21and I couldn't be happier.
00:54:27Wow.
00:54:33Hi, Crystal.
00:54:34Good morning.
00:54:35How are you?
00:54:36I'm good.
00:54:36How are you doing?
00:54:37All right.
00:54:38You ready for your surgery?
00:54:40Yes, sir.
00:54:40You waited a long time for this, huh?
00:54:42Yes, I did.
00:54:43Yes, I did.
00:54:44All right.
00:54:44You're doing good.
00:54:46I'll get you fixed up shortly, okay?
00:54:47All right.
00:54:48Sounds good.
00:54:49All right.
00:54:58Today, we are attempting to perform a gastric leave on Crystal.
00:55:04All her tests show that her lungs and her heart are finally in a place that is strong enough
00:55:09to handle the surgery.
00:55:11And she also continues to lose, and she is down to 4'11".
00:55:15So we are moving ahead with her today.
00:55:18And I'm proud of her for doing that.
00:55:19And let's go to the robot camera.
00:55:21And let's go to the robot camera.
00:55:25With this operation, she will have a chance to make even more progress, because what this
00:55:53operation does is reduce the stomach by 90%, leaving a small, narrow tube that looks similar
00:56:00to the sleeve.
00:56:01So the patient's food intake is physically limited, and the patient is less hungry.
00:56:07So this operation will give them an opportunity to lose even more weight.
00:56:13So this will be a big move forward for Crystal, but with how weak her heart and lungs have been, we
00:56:21have to be careful not to allow too much strain on her body right now.
00:56:25So if there's anything that gives us concern, we may have to stop the procedure, but we are
00:56:32doing all we can to make sure that doesn't happen.
00:56:40I've been sitting here waiting.
00:56:43I'm worried about her heart.
00:56:45You're putting her to sleep, is she going to wake back up?
00:56:49It's scary.
00:56:50It's scary.
00:56:57Hold it there.
00:57:01Move it to the right.
00:57:04All right.
00:57:04Let's shake your stomach out.
00:57:18All right, I've finished.
00:57:20All right, Crystal's surgery went very well.
00:57:23We were able to do some gastrectomy.
00:57:26There were no issues with the surgery or anesthesia,
00:57:29and she tolerated the operation well.
00:57:32Room light on.
00:57:34So she did great.
00:57:36So this is a stomach we took out.
00:57:39This is a huge stomach and holds a lot of food,
00:57:42so she's going to have a smarter stomach.
00:57:45This operation is going to help Crystal
00:57:48to be able to lose 30 pounds in the next month
00:57:51while she's on a liquid diet.
00:57:54And after that, she's going to be able to lose 15 to 20 pounds each month
00:57:58until she gets close to her target weight.
00:58:01If she loses another 150 pounds,
00:58:03we're going to be able to do some skin surgery on her
00:58:06and finish her work with the program.
00:58:08Hey, kids, come down and get lunch.
00:58:25Over the last four months,
00:58:26I've been able to achieve a lot of my goals.
00:58:28I've made my life completely about getting my kids back
00:58:31these past four months.
00:58:32Grab one.
00:58:32Thanks.
00:58:33Hey, Grace, come get your food.
00:58:35All I did was focus on getting a better job
00:58:37to afford a place on my own.
00:58:39And I achieved that.
00:58:40I'm an IT technician at the executive office
00:58:42at Northwest Bank.
00:58:43What do you guys want to do today?
00:58:44Um, can you get to the park?
00:58:46What park?
00:58:47Uh, Elger to play basketball.
00:58:48We can go to Elger.
00:58:49Have you heard up back about that coaching job yet?
00:58:51Yeah, I found out.
00:58:52They want me to be the coach,
00:58:53but I have to find out from work
00:58:54if I'm able to get off work in time for the games.
00:58:57What are baseball tryouts?
00:58:59Tryouts are, I think, in two weeks.
00:59:01Yeah, my concert's in two weeks, too.
00:59:03I can't believe you're going to that concert.
00:59:06Do you think you can take me?
00:59:07Well, we'll have to see.
00:59:09Okay.
00:59:09So how's school been going?
00:59:11I don't think you want the answer to that, Dad.
00:59:13Well, I'll leave it at that, then.
00:59:15The food's good, thank you.
00:59:16You're welcome.
00:59:17You guys ready to go to the park now?
00:59:19Yeah.
00:59:19Yeah, let's go.
00:59:20Go ahead and put your plates in the sink,
00:59:21and then head upstairs and get your stuff,
00:59:24and we'll get ready to go.
00:59:25Okay.
00:59:26And having a place of my own
00:59:27and having a good income
00:59:28allowed me to finally get custody of my kids.
00:59:30I had already been looking online for a place,
00:59:33and once I could afford it,
00:59:34I moved out of my parents' basement.
00:59:36So my dream has finally come true.
00:59:39It's been fun enjoying my time with the kids,
00:59:41and they love being here.
00:59:43They love being able to go
00:59:45and be around me more often.
00:59:47I love being a dad,
00:59:48love having the kids around,
00:59:49love being able to see a future with them,
00:59:52and be on the right track now
00:59:54that I've chosen a healthy lifestyle.
00:59:56Hey, kids, time to go to the park.
00:59:57It means so much to me
00:59:59that my kids are back in my life,
01:00:00and I have them full-time.
01:00:02If I hadn't have taken the steps to get healthy
01:00:04and start losing the weight,
01:00:06I would not have been able to do this.
01:00:08And I've been sticking to my diet and exercises
01:00:11and everything I was supposed to be doing,
01:00:13so I'm thankful for everything I've been able to do.
01:00:16Dad, do you want to play knockout on a pig at the Hulk?
01:00:19I want to at least do knockout
01:00:21so I can beat you guys again.
01:00:23Let's see about that.
01:00:24Isaiah's definitely going to win a knockout.
01:00:26Isaiah's going to win.
01:00:27Yes, he is.
01:00:28Yes, he is.
01:00:28He's the best one here.
01:00:29And he's, like, the only one
01:00:30that's actually played basketball.
01:00:32At least it's sunny today.
01:00:34Yeah.
01:00:34It's not as cold as yesterday.
01:00:36I'm glad to be able to get out more
01:00:37after having the surgery.
01:00:39I know, it's nice.
01:00:40Yeah.
01:00:40I just hope the hoops are open
01:00:41and no one's here.
01:00:42Yeah.
01:00:43Do you think we should shoot from the three
01:00:44or a free throw?
01:00:46Free throw, for sure.
01:00:47Nobody.
01:00:47Okay.
01:00:47What auto do we go in?
01:00:58Do we go this oldest?
01:00:58Can we start?
01:00:59Yeah.
01:01:00We can do oldest to youngest.
01:01:03Oh, man.
01:01:09Am I out?
01:01:10Yeah.
01:01:11Good shot.
01:01:11Let's go, Titus.
01:01:12There we go.
01:01:17Yes, Jude.
01:01:18Yes.
01:01:20Oh.
01:01:28Yeah.
01:01:30Here.
01:01:30Here's one.
01:01:31It's game.
01:01:32Good job, guys.
01:01:32You guys ready to go?
01:01:34Yes.
01:01:34Okay.
01:01:35It's cold.
01:01:36Oh, that was fun.
01:01:37I haven't been doing any virtual appointments
01:01:39with Dr. Paradise, and I haven't gone back
01:01:40to see Dr. Now.
01:01:41But now that I've been able to achieve
01:01:43what I set out to do,
01:01:45sometimes students are going to give Dr. Now a call
01:01:47and try to get back to doing my program.
01:01:48Good job, guys.
01:01:49Good job.
01:01:50Woo.
01:01:50You all beat me.
01:01:52I'm tired.
01:01:53I'm glad I can do that now.
01:01:54Yeah.
01:01:54Yeah.
01:02:11Set a timer for 15 minutes, okay?
01:02:14Okay.
01:02:15It's been two months since my surgery.
01:02:18I was on liquids for a month, and that was hard.
01:02:21But I've been on solids again.
01:02:23But how little I can eat is still an adjustment for me.
01:02:27I was doing Dr. Now's diet before the surgery.
01:02:30But it's different when you're choosing not to eat
01:02:33than not having a choice.
01:02:36Why are you doing that?
01:02:37It's pretty, right?
01:02:39And that color stinks.
01:02:40It smells beautiful.
01:02:44What, Cheryl?
01:02:45I'm losing a lot and feeling great.
01:02:48I had another follow-up with Dr. Now.
01:02:51He said,
01:02:52I need to get into the low 300s
01:02:54to be ready for skin removal.
01:02:56So that's my big goal,
01:02:58and that's what's motivating me to work hard right now.
01:03:01I would say I'm sorry for eating without you,
01:03:03but, you know,
01:03:05technically I'm not really eating without you,
01:03:08so, you know, it's all good.
01:03:09Let's play a game.
01:03:10We can play Go Fish.
01:03:12So far, I've lost 236 pounds.
01:03:16And it feels amazing how much I can do now
01:03:18compared to a year and a half ago.
01:03:21I can't get up here.
01:03:23I'm out to sleep in the wheelchair.
01:03:27Oh, yeah.
01:03:33Do you have a five?
01:03:38What? Oh, my God.
01:03:40What am I doing?
01:03:41Thank you for the food, Mom.
01:03:42You are welcome.
01:03:44I'm sorry I didn't have any more pepperonis.
01:03:46It's fine.
01:03:47It's your turn.
01:03:48Give me an eight, please.
01:03:49Go Fish.
01:03:52Nine.
01:03:53Go Fish.
01:03:54I already did.
01:03:55I love how easy it is for me to move around.
01:03:59When before, I would run out of energy
01:04:01in just 20 or 30 minutes.
01:04:03Now I feel like I can do what I need to do
01:04:05to take care of my household
01:04:07and to spend time with my kids.
01:04:09Nine.
01:04:12Go Fish.
01:04:12So I'm very happy with how I'm doing,
01:04:16and I'm going to work my hardest
01:04:18to get to my skin removal as soon as possible.
01:04:22Nine.
01:04:23I don't have a nine.
01:04:25We'll get a nine.
01:04:26I'm heading to work.
01:04:40Running an IT department for a large bank
01:04:42has been a big step up.
01:04:43For my old job,
01:04:44handling customer service calls and insurance.
01:04:52It pays more money,
01:04:53which has allowed me to provide a nice place
01:04:55for my kids to live.
01:04:57But it also comes with a lot more responsibilities
01:04:59and longer hours.
01:05:03IT technician is basically the technology support
01:05:07for the company.
01:05:08I love working here.
01:05:10I've been able to move out of my parents' house,
01:05:12get my own place,
01:05:13support the kids and have them live with me.
01:05:17I've been able to gain so much independence
01:05:19financially, emotionally,
01:05:21and physically by working here in Northwest.
01:05:27So a lot of the coworkers have noticed
01:05:28the change in my weight,
01:05:30and they're shocked that I'm the same person.
01:05:35Mike's been great to work with.
01:05:37He's very proactive.
01:05:38He's always looking for things to fix,
01:05:40taking care of things that need some assistance.
01:05:43So he's been great.
01:05:45Having seen Mike and the challenges he's gone through,
01:05:48made a lot of progress,
01:05:49and we're very proud of him.
01:05:52That new doc still working?
01:05:53Yeah, it's working great.
01:05:54Thank you so much for fixing the issue last week.
01:05:57It's working perfectly.
01:05:58That's good.
01:05:59All right.
01:05:59Mike, thanks.
01:06:00Yeah.
01:06:00I want to keep going with Dr. Now's program.
01:06:03So I'm thinking about seeing if there's a way
01:06:05to do a virtual appointment with him
01:06:06and see what my options are.
01:06:10I hope Dr. Now will find a way
01:06:12to keep working with me
01:06:13if there is a way.
01:06:14Crystal Rollins.
01:06:38How you doing?
01:06:40Good, thank you.
01:06:41I'm ready to take this step.
01:06:44Let me take my jacket off.
01:06:46It has excess weight on it.
01:06:49Step on the scale, please.
01:06:51With the shoes off or on?
01:06:53On.
01:06:53On?
01:06:54I don't work on this.
01:06:58I've been pushing myself to make it
01:07:01to where Dr. Now will approve me.
01:07:03To get all the hanging skin off of me
01:07:06because it's hurting a lot now.
01:07:09So I really just want it all gone.
01:07:12But I know Dr. Now isn't going to let me argue
01:07:15with that number on the scale.
01:07:16I've worked my hardest to get down
01:07:34to the low 300s this time
01:07:35so I can get approved for skin removal.
01:07:38And I'm really hoping that I've done it.
01:07:41Nothing.
01:07:46Your weight today is 329.
01:07:48Something's lost some more weight.
01:07:49All right.
01:07:50Okay, I'm good.
01:07:51Woohoo.
01:07:53I weigh absolutely nothing.
01:07:55Oh, you can go to room five, please.
01:07:57Okay, sounds great.
01:07:58You have to do that.
01:08:00I don't remember room five.
01:08:02It's probably the open door.
01:08:04Hello.
01:08:21Hi.
01:08:22How you doing?
01:08:23I'm good.
01:08:24How are you?
01:08:25I'm doing good.
01:08:27All right.
01:08:27So you're down another 28 pounds,
01:08:30so you're doing good.
01:08:31So let me see all that extra skin
01:08:33that you're talking about.
01:08:35It's this right here.
01:08:42It's this right here.
01:08:45All this right here.
01:08:47And then the back of it.
01:08:48And then this thing on my leg right here
01:08:50is making it.
01:08:52It goes like that.
01:08:53And then I sit on it three quarters of the time
01:08:55because it folds back like that.
01:08:56Let me see the back of it.
01:08:58Well, I see all that,
01:09:04but this is just extra fat
01:09:06and it's not only extra skin.
01:09:09Okay.
01:09:09So you have to lose more weight.
01:09:12So it will be possible
01:09:14to remove all those extra skin.
01:09:17So your activity are okay?
01:09:19Yeah, I have no problems.
01:09:20I walk my dogs.
01:09:21I do all that.
01:09:23All right.
01:09:23If you get a little bit under 300,
01:09:25then I think you'll be ready
01:09:27and we can do your skin surgery.
01:09:29So keep working hard
01:09:31and then we'll see
01:09:32how you're doing next month.
01:09:34Okay.
01:09:34If you have any questions,
01:09:37give me a call.
01:09:39If not,
01:09:40we'll see how you're doing one month.
01:09:43All right.
01:09:43Okay?
01:09:44All right.
01:09:45I'll see you later.
01:09:46All right.
01:09:47All right.
01:09:48Bye-bye.
01:09:48Crystal has lost some weight,
01:09:57but her weight loss
01:09:59is half of what she should have lost
01:10:01at this point
01:10:01after weight loss surgery.
01:10:04Her ideal body weight is 120,
01:10:06so she has 200 more pounds to lose.
01:10:09At this point,
01:10:10I'm not quite sure
01:10:11that she's going to stick with the program,
01:10:14but hoping that she does her part
01:10:16to lose her weight
01:10:17and be able to have a skin surgery,
01:10:21but we'll wait and see
01:10:23how she does next month.
01:10:31Well, I'm disappointed.
01:10:32I really wanted my approval
01:10:34for skin removal.
01:10:35I guess I have to just pick myself up
01:10:37and keep going.
01:10:38I know I can get under 300.
01:10:40It's just a matter of time
01:10:41before I make it happen,
01:10:42and I will make it happen,
01:10:44no matter what.
01:10:59I called Dr. Now's office
01:11:01about doing a virtual appointment
01:11:02to try to pick back up at the program
01:11:04and see what the next steps
01:11:06would be for me.
01:11:09They got back to me
01:11:10and said Dr. Now wants to see
01:11:11an update on my weight
01:11:12and how I'm doing.
01:11:14So he arranged for me
01:11:15to go to a local clinic
01:11:16to get all that,
01:11:17and then I'm supposed to call him
01:11:19to let him know my current weight
01:11:21once I know it.
01:11:22Hello.
01:11:31I'm here to just get my weight check-in.
01:11:33I've been working with Dr. Now.
01:11:34Okay, perfect.
01:11:35Well, let's come on back
01:11:36and we'll get a weight on you, okay?
01:11:37Okay.
01:11:39The last time I saw Dr. Now
01:11:41was around seven months ago,
01:11:42and I was almost down to 500.
01:11:45I think I was around 10 pounds away.
01:11:47Okay, well, let's see where you are.
01:11:48Okay.
01:11:50And so I feel confident
01:11:51today that I'm at least
01:11:52down in the 400s.
01:11:54Hopefully even the low 400s.
01:12:03473 pounds.
01:12:05How are you feeling?
01:12:06A little disappointed,
01:12:07but I know if I stick to the plan,
01:12:09I can get down to the low 400s.
01:12:11That's great.
01:12:12Is it okay if I call the doctor
01:12:13and do a check-in?
01:12:14I think I can do that in here.
01:12:15Absolutely.
01:12:15Okay, thanks.
01:12:16Mm-hmm.
01:12:21Hello, hi, Mike.
01:12:26How are you doing, Dr. Now?
01:12:27I'm doing well.
01:12:28How about you?
01:12:29I'm doing pretty good.
01:12:31Well, it's been about seven months
01:12:33since I saw you.
01:12:35Yeah, I've been really busy.
01:12:37The kids are living with me now
01:12:39and with school and sports
01:12:40and my new job.
01:12:41I've been busy every day.
01:12:44How is your weight doing now?
01:12:45I've plateaued a little bit.
01:12:47I went to the local clinic today
01:12:48and I weighed 473.
01:12:50So you only lost 37 pounds
01:12:53in seven months.
01:12:55Yes.
01:12:56So that's an average of five pounds a month.
01:12:59That is not a great project.
01:13:00What's going on with that?
01:13:02Well, I have my kids full-time now
01:13:04and I've been really busy with them
01:13:07with my new job
01:13:08and now living on my own.
01:13:09It's been really hectic.
01:13:11Being hectic and being busy
01:13:14doesn't justify to overeat, does it?
01:13:16No, it doesn't.
01:13:18I'm glad that you didn't gain
01:13:19but you haven't lost very much
01:13:22and losing five pounds a month
01:13:25pretty soon is going to go to two pounds a month
01:13:27then you're going to stop losing
01:13:29and then you're going to start gaining.
01:13:31Once you start gaining
01:13:32you're going to be at your original weight.
01:13:35This is not a very good environment for you.
01:13:38That is concerning.
01:13:39He keeps saying that you need to be there
01:13:41to be with your kids
01:13:42but being with the kid
01:13:43I think going back to your original weight
01:13:46is not going to be good.
01:13:47I definitely am going to take it more serious
01:13:49and get back on track.
01:13:51Well, you keep promising that before
01:13:54but you haven't got to your ideal body weight
01:13:57so what is the plan for you
01:13:59to avoid gaining weight?
01:14:02Well, I'm definitely going to be more active
01:14:03with the kids
01:14:04have more healthy meals.
01:14:06Mike, you said that before
01:14:08but how is that working so far?
01:14:11It hasn't worked very well
01:14:12in the leading up to now
01:14:14but starting with the weather changing
01:14:16we're going to get outside a lot more.
01:14:18Well, getting outside and doing more
01:14:21is good for your stamina
01:14:22but your weight is related to what you eat
01:14:25and you are not following the diet
01:14:27like you should have been.
01:14:29So are you snacking between meals?
01:14:31I'm not snacking between meals
01:14:33I just haven't been able to
01:14:35get the right amount of protein
01:14:38and I've been eating carbs
01:14:41which I know I shouldn't be eating.
01:14:43Well, if you know you shouldn't be eating
01:14:44why are you eating again?
01:14:48It's just something quick to grab
01:14:50while we're going in between
01:14:52sporting events and stuff.
01:14:54It's more poor planning.
01:14:56Mike, you are likely
01:14:58about a couple hundred pounds
01:15:01away from being ready for skin surgery.
01:15:03Okay.
01:15:04I know I need some work I need to do.
01:15:06How are you doing with the therapy?
01:15:08Are you keeping up with that?
01:15:09I have not been keeping up with the therapy
01:15:11because I've been really busy with the kids.
01:15:13Okay.
01:15:14If we set the virtual appointment
01:15:16would you agree to see Dr. Penta again?
01:15:20Yeah, absolutely.
01:15:21Okay.
01:15:22Let's start with the psychotherapy
01:15:23and let's cut back on what you're eating
01:15:27and doing daily exercise
01:15:29and get you back on track.
01:15:31These are the only options left for you.
01:15:34Okay?
01:15:34Okay.
01:15:35All right, Mike.
01:15:36This time you should be losing
01:15:38at least 20 to 25 pounds a month.
01:15:41Okay.
01:15:42And don't even take it as an excuse
01:15:44and eat their junk food.
01:15:46Okay?
01:15:46I won't.
01:15:48Okay, Mike.
01:15:48If you need anything, give me a call.
01:15:50I will for sure.
01:15:51Thanks, Dr. Now.
01:15:52All right, you're welcome.
01:15:54Bye now.
01:15:54Bye.
01:16:03I'm really disappointed
01:16:04he thinks I'm a couple hundred pounds away
01:16:06from skin removal.
01:16:07That was the big thing I wanted to figure out.
01:16:09I'm confused about how far
01:16:11I still want to go with this program
01:16:12because providing a good life for my kids
01:16:15has become the most important thing of my life.
01:16:17It looks like Grandma and Grandpa are almost here.
01:16:40We need to go meet them at the restaurant.
01:16:42You want to go get Grace?
01:16:44Yeah.
01:16:44Make sure she's getting ready.
01:16:45Today we're going to eat as a family with my parents.
01:16:50Since becoming more mobile,
01:16:51I've been able to be active
01:16:53and now I'm able to spend more quality time with my kids.
01:17:00I'm excited to see Grandma and Grandpa
01:17:02at the restaurant today.
01:17:04Yeah, we haven't seen them in a while, have we?
01:17:06Yeah.
01:17:06Before the surgery, I never went out at all, period.
01:17:11But now that I've lost this weight,
01:17:13I feel a lot better and more confident.
01:17:16Hi, Funko.
01:17:17How you doing?
01:17:18Oh, it must be cold out there.
01:17:22How he beat you.
01:17:23I've only won one.
01:17:25He's won multiple times.
01:17:26I give up.
01:17:27Awesome.
01:17:27Awesome.
01:17:29Have you found what you wanted to eat, Michael?
01:17:32Trying to stick to my diet,
01:17:33so trying to find something that'll be good for me.
01:17:35I don't mind eating a hamburger without the bun.
01:17:37Yeah, we've been trying to watch our weight.
01:17:40My parents are so supportive
01:17:41and have started eating healthier, too.
01:17:43How do you like your place?
01:17:44It's good.
01:17:45Yeah, I like being down here.
01:17:47We really miss you being in our basement.
01:17:50Well, I'm glad to be out of there and on my own.
01:17:52Yeah.
01:17:53I'm glad that you have your own place
01:17:55and have your kids with you.
01:17:57That's wonderful.
01:17:59I'm so happy that he has lost the weight that he has,
01:18:03and we're just so proud of him
01:18:05for what he has accomplished,
01:18:07and I feel like we have Michael back.
01:18:10We're proud of everything you've accomplished.
01:18:13It's been great.
01:18:14We're very proud of you.
01:18:15Really, you've accomplished more
01:18:17than we thought you would.
01:18:18I've surprised myself, actually.
01:18:20I bet you did.
01:18:22Since Michael's had the surgery and lost his weight,
01:18:25grandkids are, I think,
01:18:27are having a great time being with him,
01:18:29and having him back and being able to do things with him.
01:18:33How are we splitting the check?
01:18:35I'm going to take it.
01:18:36You sure?
01:18:37Yeah.
01:18:37Thanks for letting me mooch off with me
01:18:39and living in the basement for a while.
01:18:40It's about time.
01:18:44Yeah.
01:18:44Anytime.
01:18:45You're welcome anytime.
01:18:47I know my parents miss me being there at the house,
01:18:49but it was the best interest for me to get out,
01:18:52to get my independence,
01:18:53and get back on with my future.
01:18:55See ya.
01:18:56See ya.
01:18:57Are we almost there yet, Dad?
01:19:08We are almost there.
01:19:10I planned a family day for the kids and I.
01:19:13My daughter is six, so it's just me and the boys.
01:19:16I'm at a point where I'm able to participate
01:19:18in more physical activities with my kids.
01:19:20My kids are a big motivator for me
01:19:22during my weight loss journey.
01:19:24I want my kids to be healthy,
01:19:25and now I know I must lead by example.
01:19:31This is weird.
01:19:34Got it?
01:19:35A year ago, I wasn't as mobile as I am today.
01:19:37Step up with my hand and jump up there.
01:19:38Jump up?
01:19:39I'm able to move around and jump on trampolines with it.
01:19:42You got it.
01:19:45Jude's getting it.
01:19:47Good job.
01:19:48I decided I know I can keep making progress on my own.
01:19:52Good job.
01:19:53So I told Dr. Now I'm not going to continue with Dr. Paradise for now,
01:19:56and I'm not expecting any follow-ups with Dr. Now,
01:19:59but that I hope in a year or so I can come back and get surgery once I lose the weight.
01:20:03But right now, my kids need all the focus I can give them.
01:20:09So I'm just enjoying life with them as much as I can.
01:20:13Do you think I can make this one?
01:20:17I think I can make this one.
01:20:19I had a good time with my dad today.
01:20:28Ever since he lost weight,
01:20:29he's been able to go out and play sports with us
01:20:32and go out to different places.
01:20:33I think my dad had fun today, too.
01:20:43I like our dad going outside more so he can play with us.
01:20:48Yeah, it was a lot of fun, wasn't it?
01:21:03Look, there's more animals right there.
01:21:08There's a pink thing.
01:21:10I don't know what it is.
01:21:11I've had a couple of more appointments with Dr. Now,
01:21:14and at the last one,
01:21:15he told me I was very close to be ready for skin removal.
01:21:18I didn't lose as much each month,
01:21:21but I've still been losing enough to stay on track,
01:21:24and I'm down to $2.97.
01:21:27Look, there's little sharks right here.
01:21:28I want one.
01:21:29And it did feel really good to see that number
01:21:34come up with the 2 in front of it,
01:21:35but it felt even better
01:21:37when Dr. Now approved me for skin removal.
01:21:40He said I was about 10 pounds away,
01:21:42so he scheduled me for two months
01:21:44and told me to lose at least 10 pounds by then,
01:21:46which I'm going to have no problem doing.
01:21:49So I'm excited to get all this skin off me soon.
01:21:53If it's around 30 pounds,
01:21:54then I'm going to be around 250 after the surgery.
01:21:57So I'm just really excited.
01:22:00Look, it's right here.
01:22:01Oh, it looks like it has an eye.
01:22:03Two years ago,
01:22:04just even breathing lying in bed was a struggle.
01:22:08My lungs just can't handle my body anymore,
01:22:11so when I go to sleep at night,
01:22:12I just sleep slanted.
01:22:14Because if I lay back,
01:22:15the pressure from my weight will suffocate me.
01:22:19Okay, hold on.
01:22:21Okay, what do I got to do?
01:22:22Yeah, I'm just going to sit right on your shoulders.
01:22:25I'm going to go.
01:22:25Now don't squeeze tight.
01:22:27I'm not even going to squeeze it.
01:22:28Just gently hold here.
01:22:29You're okay.
01:22:31The idea of losing 280 pounds seemed impossible,
01:22:35and it sure wasn't easy.
01:22:37But the pain and the tears and the struggle have been worth it.
01:22:41And now everything I longed for and dreamed of
01:22:44is finally coming true.
01:22:46Normally I would have been done sitting in a wheelchair by now,
01:22:48but this has been amazing.
01:22:50Able to walk around,
01:22:51have fun with them,
01:22:52not need my oxygen,
01:22:54not need my wheelchair or a cane.
01:22:57Can I touch them?
01:22:58Yeah, you can touch them.
01:22:59Everything that I did for this journey was worth it.
01:23:11Everything that we gave up in California
01:23:14to come out here and start a whole new life,
01:23:15it was totally worth it.
01:23:17If you asked me if I would do it all over again,
01:23:19I would do it all over again 10 times.
01:23:21Let's go ahead and head out,
01:23:22and I'll show you where the gift shop's at.
01:23:23All right, sounds good.