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Emland · Sep 13, 2007, 07:14 AM

I watched the first 15 minutes of this and recorded the rest to watch this weekend. I was amazed by one of their patients.

His weight is unknown, but estimated to be around 850 pounds. He can't stand up because his ankles can't support his weight. He is housebound and bedridden and suffers horrible bed sores due to his condition. His mother takes care of him and gives him sponge baths, makes sure he has his medicine, etc.

What I don't understand is if he has gotten so large that he can't even get to the kitchen to get the food - how does he stay so big? My BMI counter estimated that he would have to consume over 8000 calories per day to sustain that bulk. His family must be enabling him.

Did anyone else see this? Am I wrong to think that a big portion of his problem is his mother? Maybe she needs to feel important and taking care of him fulfills that.

J_9 · Sep 13, 2007, 07:21 AM

Oh, I haven't seen it. What channel is it on? I got to check it out.

But in answer to your question, I have seen other programs like this and the families are the enablers. The majority of the time they end up in counseling too.

Emland · Sep 13, 2007, 07:26 AM

I'll have to check J, but most likely one of the Discovery channels. The first thing that came to my mind was that the mother needed the intervention. She is killing him.

alkalineangel · Sep 13, 2007, 07:28 AM

I think this is TLC, as this is one of my fave shows and that is my fave channel... lol.

Emland · Sep 13, 2007, 07:30 AM

Is there a point where your body stops needing so many calories to keep the weight? He needs over 8000 calories a day by my BMI calculator to sustain. If I ate all day, I don't think I could rack up that many (unless I was unleashed in the Cheesecake Factory, maybe.)