All language subtitles for My 600-lb Life S13E04

If that caregiver
doesn't thoroughly clean me,

then we have a problem.

Somewhere in me is
this little glimmer of hope.

I just wanna be
a normal person.

You can't do it,
and then, I just get mad.

If I don't make
a change now,

I'm scared
it's gonna be too late.

It hurts!

I refuse
to stop fighting.

I have to do this
for my children.

OH!

I am the problem.

Then you gotta wake up

and change your life.

Good morning, Gary.
How are you doing
this morning?

How are you this morning,
darling?

-Mmm-hmm.
-All righty.

We gonna get started
with this here bath here.

Okay.

Sometimes when I wake up,

I feel like getting up

and going to the kitchen,
or hopping in the shower.

But I can't do those things

because I'm too heavy
to get out of this bed.

I can't even get out of bed.

All righty then, Gary.

-Mmm-hmm.
-I got this here now.

Okay.

Let me sit up.

My doctor installed a trapeze
above my bed

just to help me
lift my body up.

But even doing that,

I start huffing and puffing.

...especially when you got
a lazy caregiver.

I feel fabulous
about my current caregiver,

but I'm talking about
other people.

If that... If that person

doesn't thoroughly clean me,

then we have a problem.

You know, it's a routine.

You know, wash, rinse,

wash, rinse, dry.

Wash, rinse, wash, rinse, dry.

Then you got those people
that do wash, dry.

Turn over, wash, dry.

What happened to wash,
rinse, wash, rinse, dry?

-Everything hanging out.
-Yeah.

Because when you wash
and then dry,

all that dried-up soap
becomes more dirt,

and it becomes even more icky.

Here you go, Gary.
Here's your shirt.

Here we go again.

Okay, did I give it
to you right? No, upside down.

-You got it?
-Yeah.

All righty, then.

All right, Gary.
I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay.

After my caregiver leaves,

my mom comes over
to cook breakfast for me.

That's when everything
turns around.

Hey, Gary.

Hey, Mommy.

How you doing?

I'm fine.

-You good?
-Yeah.

Okay.

So you ready
for your breakfast?

-Yeah.
-All right. All right.

What you want?
What you wanna eat?

Everything.

-What's everything?
-I don't know.

Eggs, bacon, grits, all that?

-Yeah.
-Oh, Lord Jesus.

Okay.

He will eat
whatever you put
in front of him, you know.

He's constantly eating

and he's just getting bigger
and bigger.

I'm just hoping that
he can lose the weight

so he can get up and walk

because I know
he can't live that way.

Okay, Gary.
How many eggs you want?

-Four eggs.
-Okay. Okay.

I'mma get started,
so are you gonna sit up?

-Yeah.
-Okay.

With his lifestyle,
being the way it is,

it's very hard on me

because I have to do
everything for him.

It's hard.

I'm trying to hang in
and do what I can,

but at the end of the day,
I'm worn out.

There's nothing
I like better

than getting really
full with food.

And I'm trying to shake it.

There you go.

-Got it?
-Yeah, I got it.

It's unexplainable

because I'm the only one
in my family

that struggles
with the weight problem.

Growing up,
I was the youngest of eight,

and the baby of the family.

But I guess
I had a big appetite

because I had a mom
that raised me so right

that it could have been wrong.

She spoiled me.

You know, she still spoils me
to this day.

My mother let me eat
whatever I wanted,

as much as I wanted.

By the time I was 10,
I was pushing 200 pounds.

One time, I was overhearing
everyone talking

when they thought
I wasn't home,

about how bad I was doing
with my weight,

it made me cry.

That's when I first remember
eating purely for comfort.

And that was when
the demons inside me
were unleashed.

In middle school,
people's body
started changing.

There's girls left and right.

And all of a sudden,
I'm like hella insecure.

Don't know how to unlock
my confidence at all.

And it was fun
to get high and eat.

And that's when food
became a powerful,
powerful thing.

I just stopped
doing school work,

and I was absent a lot.

And then I came
to school one day

and the vice principal told me
to come into the office,

and they were like,

"Hey, your grades
are not where they need to be.

You need to go
to a continuation program
to catch up."

But I never did.

I procrastinated,
I watched TV,

and ate nuggets.

And I dropped out
of high school

without my high
school diploma.

I was vegetating at home,

getting high,
and binge eating.

My mom didn't know
what to do with me,

so she called
my older brother Gordon.

My mom gave me authority

to kind of come back
in Gary's life,

so he came and stayed with me
and my wife.

And I went out
and bought myself a guitar,

then I started fooling around
in the rehearsal rooms

at this music equipment store
downtown,

composing and arranging
and singing and rapping

and all that good stuff.

And I quickly discovered

songwriting was a part
of my DNA.

Then one day, this guy
Anthony comes walking in,

and I was playing
a Triton Korg

and he was like,

"Man, you remind me so much
of me when I was your age."

He was like,
"Let me give me you
the number to the studio."

And that's when
everything changed for me.

I took him
to a studio session,

then he recorded his
singing hook for a song.

And the main
executive producer,

I wanted to fly Gary
out to New York City

to film the music video,

but Gary could not make it
because he got too heavy.

So he was real sad
about that,

but they ended up doing
the music video anyways.

In a matter of weeks,

I was hanging with
celebrities and living large.

Around this time,

my cousin introduced me
to crystal meth,

so I tried it.

I did it for two days
in a row.

And even though
I wasn't planning

on doing it again after that,

I just did it
every day after that.

And after that,

everything spiraled
out of control real fast.

You know, being young

and then going into
adulthood,

I can see that Gary suffers
from addictive behavior.

And I didn't realize it.

I really didn't.

I stopped composing
and arranging,

and I started to lose sight

of my regular life
outside of using.

But on the days I managed
to hold off getting high,

I would lean heavily
on binge eating.

Whole pizzas back to back,

10 burgers in 24 hours.

It was bad.

And before I knew it,

I was over 600 pounds
and then more.

And then the day comes
where I was so big,

I couldn't even get around
on my own anymore.

One day I came home

and Gary was at my door,

crying, and saying

he don't know
what he's gonna do,

and I said, "Well, you're
gonna have to do something."

So, he stayed the night

and I made him call recovery,

rehab for people that are
on drugs and everything.

When I went into my program,

I relapsed in that
program so many times.

And the thing is,

when you're under
the influence of drugs,

and then you get sober

and you stop doing drugs,

you start to eat.

At least I did.

Then it got to the point
where I got too fat

to be able to get out of bed.

It's coming up on nine months
since that day,

and I'm getting tired
of spending all day

every day in bed.

My mobility has worsened.

It's because I'm overeating.

With the proper
bariatric walker,

I can only stand up
for two seconds.

But I feel blessed
to have the mother I have.

She's my best friend,

and having her
take care of me

makes my life easier.

-Hi.
-Hey.

Hey mom.

You gotta tell me
what you want.

Okay.

You want cupcakes?

Yeah, but they all gotta...

They gotta be vanilla only.

Do you see it?

I guess those are good.

I'll get these.

Okay.

I go every other day
to the grocery store.

It's rough on me
because of the time,

because I have
my own appointments

and doctor's appointments
to make.

He think I'm a super woman
or something.

Chocolate milk.
They have, uh, chocolate milk.

Yeah. That's good.

I'll get...
I'll get two of those.

I get upset with Gary about
buying a lot of junk

and different things,

but he gets really irritated
and angry,

so I just ask him
what he wants

and I get it for him.

I try to keep the peace

because if I just tell him,

"No, I'm not gonna get that
or get this," he gets mad.

What kinda ice cream you want?

Like a sherbet ice cream.

Like a fruity...
Like a fruit ice cream.

Mmm-huh.

Yeah. Orange sherbet.

Mommy,
can you get me some chocolate?

Okay.

Okay.

Is that good?

Yeah.

All right. Okay.

-Bye.
-Bye.

The way I eat is different
from other people

because very rarely
do I feel full.

So I tend to wanna eat double
portions of starch and meat.

And once I start eating,

it's very hard for me to stop
when I'm eating.

Being addicted to food

is something that I'm
constantly trying to shake.

-Hey, Gary.
-Hi.

-You ready to eat?
-Yeah.

I just heated up...

-What are you eating?
-Nothing.

Yeah. You got it
all over your mouth.

I just heated up food
from the grocery store.

Yeah, you'd know. Let me see.

What you hiding?

No, there's something
all over your mouth.

What? The popcorn?

I need to change
or this isn't gonna end well.

There you go.

Well-balanced.

Uh-huh.

When I saw him
bedbound for the first time,

couldn't get out the bed,

couldn't go to the bathroom,

I was hurt, you know,

because I've been working
with Gary for years,

like, you know,
helping him with these...

type of situations,

and I was very upset

that he had let himself
go so far, you know,

having all the support
he's had

throughout the years.

Pretty good, huh?
The mac and cheese?

Mmm-hmm.

I'm 32-years-old.

I have a lot to offer
to the world.

I'm tired of being like this.

If I don't stop eating,

I'm gonna have a heart attack
and die.

I got four
to five years tops.

I know this is my last chance

and I don't wanna die
in this bed.

I figured enough is enough.

I reached out to Dr. Now
in Houston

to see if I can get help
losing weight,

even though he's in Texas
and I'm bedridden.

And they told me Dr. Now
helps a lot of people

from all over the place.

And what he likes to do first
in that type of situation

is to do a video call.

So that's what happening
today.

Hey, Gary.

Hey, how are you, Dr. Now?

I'm doing well.
How are you doing?

I'm fine. How are you?

It's been going on
for like nine months now.

Nine months? And how much
do you weigh now?

I'm about 745.

I wake up at
like 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

I get on my phone,

go on my app
and watch my shows,

play my games on my phone,

and, uh...

that's how I start my day.

And then, you know,
late breakfast every day,

never a early breakfast.

That, and I collect
baseball cards,

that's my hobbies.

Plus I'm a musician.

So just being in the bed

is really hard for me
right now.

These nine months
of being bedbound

just felt like nine years.

My caretaker,

my mother.

Yeah. But my mom,

she kind of doesn't let me eat

what I want all the time.

She's been kind of, you know,

leaning me towards
the healthier side of things.

I am the problem.

The thing is, if my caretakers

don't bring me food,

then, you know, I can always,

you know, use a app.

I've spent
like thousands of dollars

over time

using these delivery apps,

ordering all kinds
of unhealthy food.

You know, I don't give it
much thought when I'm eating

because the eating
is a comfort.

But it's time for me to change

and I'm willing
to take the sacrifice

of, you know,
not eating as much,

you know, to get
better results.

Right.

I'm willing to follow
your guidelines.

Whatever you'd say, I do it.

Right.

Yes.

Right.

Right.

You understand that, right?

Yes, I do.

Uh-huh.

Okay. Right.

But in the meantime,
if you need something,
you may call.

Okay. So,
will I be coming to...

Will I be coming to...

Texas anytime soon?

So I got some work to do?

Yes. All right.

If you need anything,
give me a call.

I will. Thank you, Dr. Now.

I appreciate everything.

Okay. And you're welcome,
okay?

All right. See you soon.

All right. You take care.

All right.

We are facing
a lot of issues with Gary,

so it's gonna take
a lot to try

and address his situation.

He has caregivers

who are enabling him.

So he's like a zombie
that eats whatever

is put in front of him.

So the first thing
to address his situation

is going to be to work
to get him out of bed.

And hopefully,
PT will be able to make

some progress with him
to do that.

Losing weight also is going
to be a significant factor

that contribute
to his ability

to do that and walk again.

And since he has only
been bedridden

for around nine months,

if he work hard with PT
and loses weight,

he should be able
to start walking again

in a month or two.

And if he does that
and we can verify

that he's losing some weight,

then we will consider him
to come to Houston

for weight loss
surgery at that point.

But it's all gonna come down

to Gary's drive and motivation

to follow through
and do what he needs.

Here.

See, that's your therapist
now.

Okay.

Just put a little bit

of that on your lips.

-Okay.
-So they won't look
so dry. Okay.

It's been about a week
since my call with Dr. Now,

and I've been making
adjustments to my diet.

It's been tough
but I'm doing it,

and I'm even feeling better.

-Hey.
-Hello. Good morning.

-How are you?
-Good.

How are you today?

Fine.

Today, I'm starting
physical therapy

and I'm really
looking forward to it.

But at the same time
I'm worried

because I don't know
if my legs

are gonna be able
to handle that.

-Ugh, what we gonna do is...
-And get started it

with your leg exercises...

Yeah, let's start
with the legs. So, um--

Okay, let's do it.

Gonna start
with some ankle pumps.

So try to straighten out
your legs,

try to get this knee...

And both knees and both toes
pointed straight up

towards the ceiling.

Okay. And then just start
to point and flex your feet.

Toes way back to feel
that stretch

in the back of your legs.

-Oh, yeah, there it is.
-Okay.

Inhale in through the nose,

exhale through the mouth,
as you move your feet.

That's it.

Press down into the band like
your pushing on the gas pedal.

That's it. There you go.
And now push down.

Good.

I'd say his prognosis is great
as long as we keep

moving forward
with the standing.

He has to work
on his exercises

like every single day.
No excuses.

And then of course,
like, his weight loss,

he's gotta really hone it
and lose some weight

because that'll be much easier
for him to move

his body around
once he loses the weight.

Okay.
Let's bring the legs over.

Okay. Let's bring them.

Gotta angle yourself
this direction.

-That's it.
-Okay.

Okay.

Okay. One moment.

The more I pull back,
it's crazy.

You need to lean forward.

There you go.

Lean forward.

That's it, lean forward.

Woo! Gravity. Gravity.

Gravity! Well,
how does that feel?

Up right?

All right.
Take some deep breaths.

Okay.

Only 60% there.

Just push down
through your legs,

see if you can just
get your butt

-like an inch off the bed.
-Okay.

That's it.

Breathe.
Squeeze your butt muscles.

Squeeze your thighs.

Don't close your eyes. Hello!

-Hello.
-Shoulders back.

He is strong.

He can pull himself
up in bed.

He can lift his limbs.

He can pull himself up
on his feet.

He has the motivation.

He has, like,
a positive outlook

and that makes a huge,
huge difference.

I'm very confident
that he's gonna make it.

-What are you feeling?
-All in there.

All in there? Good.

Don't fall back!

-I'm not.
-Keep leaning forward.

Wow, that was...
that was crazy.

Wow!

I stood up.

It was about 45 seconds.

I felt some energy coming.

You know,
I felt my heart pumping.

I felt everything.

I just got to keep going.

-There you go.
-Okay.

It feels great.
The fatigue was...

It was a good fatigue,
not a bad one.

I just got to keep going.

Can't stop and I won't stop.

At this point,
I just won't stop.

And that's the truth.

-Mommy?
-You want your head up?

Yeah.

I stood up.

-You stood up?
-Yeah.

Good.

And you're tired,
that's a good thing.

-How are you feeling?
-I'm getting myself
prepped up.

Looking good!

Let's do a couple exercises...

-Okay.
-with the band here.

Okay.

So I'm gonna have you
wrap it around

and we're gonna stretch it
like this.

And you're gonna squeeze
your shoulder blades together

as you stretch your arms out.

There's been
a couple good things

about the past month
and hard things as well.

On the positive side,
I'm feeling really good

about how I can sit
on the edge of my bed now.

Good. Inhale.

Exhale.

But one
of the hardest things

I'm frustrated about

is that it's been a month
I've been working

with physical therapy,
and I still can't walk.

I don't have
the muscle strength

and I can't push past it.

It's too painful.

The therapist said
I'm not gonna get past this

unless I take
a step every day.

So, I'm gonna hold this part.

-Don't worry, I won't let go.
-Okay.

But I'm worried
I'm gonna fall

when I'm on my own
without the help.

-Head up.
-You know, my mom

can't pick me up on her own.

So I'm at least sitting up
on the edge of my bed

once a day,
doing some exercises.

That's it.

I could do
my upper body

with no problem.

I love doing
those exercises every day,

because it makes feel
like I'm pushing myself

to make progress,
and it's a good workout.

-There you go.
-It's frustrating

because I really want
to walk,

but I don't have
the strength.

Awesome. Okay.

Take a breather.

All right.

You wanna try
one more exercise

-while you're here? Okay.
-Yeah. Yeah.

Hold it
at your shoulder.

Now reach
with your other hand up.

You're gonna take it out
and across,

and stretch that arm back.

-The other
hard thing...
-Yeah.

is that I'm having
new cravings.

So I have moments
where I ordered some cakes

and had them delivered,

but those have only been
a few moments of weakness.

Inhale.

Exhale.

My mom
is helping me a lot

by making me good meals.

They don't taste good,
but it's better for me

and it's making me stick
to the healthy stuff,

because I know Dr. Now
is gonna check with me
in a month,

and he's gonna need to know
that I'm doing

all the right things,

so that I could be ready
to go to Houston.

Doing this stuff right,

that's what's
gonna get me there

and that's why
I got to do it,

because I don't want to be
stuck in this bed forever.

All right. Good job.

Here, hold on to this.

Here.

Because you're gonna have
to clock in right now

-with, uh, Dr. Now.
-This is irritating.

Well, you're gonna have
to do it.

So, come on.

It's been two months
since my call with Dr. Now.

So it's time for me
to follow up with him.

And I'm supposed
to be walking,

but it's really hard.

I tried and I'm just
not there yet.

So I'm hoping Dr. Now
will give me

another two months
to get there.

Yeah, I'm gonna sit it
right here so you...

Okay. Is that okay?

Yeah. Can you pull
it in some?

Because I think I can do it
in that amount of time.

As long as Dr. Now
understands that

and gives me another try.

Okay.

Okay. Well,
gather yourself together

because you gotta do it.

Yeah.

-I'll be right back.
-Okay.

Calm down.

I know.

Hello.

Hey, Dr. Now.

Hey, Gary. How are...
How are you doing?

I'm fine, Dr. Now.
How are you?

I'm doing well.

So, PT said you made
some progress at the start

and you haven't made
much progress in the stand.

So, what's going on
with you?

How is your ability
to get out of bed

and walk off?

My ability
to get out of bed...

I can get out of bed
but to move my legs

and to walk
has been a very hard,

um, obstacle for me.

Uh, how far are you able
to walk with PT?

They give me...

They get...they get the walker

and they stand me up,
and that's it.

Well,
standing is the first step.

-Yes.
Then you take

to your steps.

What are you doing
in between physical therapy

to get your stamina
and get you walking?

-Nothing.
-Nothing?

-Nothing.
-Why nothing?

Uh, lately,
I haven't been motivated.

And when are you gonna
wake up and change your life?

What are you waiting for?

I guess I'mma...
I will stop waiting.

So what are you gonna do
different this time?

-Do you want to change
your life or not?
-Yes.

And if you want
to change your life,

what changes
are you gonna make?

And tell me,
so I can write it down,

and make sure that I know
what you're gonna do.

Well, I have to do more

than my physical therapy
visits.

But they tell me
if I stand every day,

then I will improve
so much better.

So, that's where I'm at
right now.

That's my obstacle,

and I've been reading
your book.

Well, that's good.
But reading isn't magic.

So nothing
in sort of your effort,

-you're gonna
make improvement.
-Yeah.

Oh.

All right.

Okay.

All right, man.

The book doesn't have magic,
okay?

Magic is only in your hand

and the ball is in your court.

-Right.
Outside of that,

you have to do your own part.

I will. I really wanna come
see you soon, man. So...

-Then that's gonna be
a long trip, man.
-Right.

Yeah, if you gotta be
able to walk

and you gotta be able
to fit in the car.

You're gonna have to be able
to make that trip.

-Right.
-But, Gary,

you need to work
with your physical therapy,

but you need to cut back
on your eating habit,

and get your weight back down

as much as you can, and--

Yes.
That's what I'm... Yes.

Right. Okay.

Okay, Gary.

I'm gonna give you a month
and you need to be active

and be able to walk

and show me that
you are making some progress,

so we can get you
to a local clinic okay?

A month?

Yes.

One month?

Yeah, one month.

Not two?

No, one month.

You're running out of time

and I already
gave you two months.

Oh, man.

You can easily do this
in one month, okay?

All right.

All right.
So you're gonna have
to work harder, okay?

You think I can do it
in one month?

Gary, in one month,

you can lose
a hundred pounds.

Don't kid yourself.

You're 700 pounds.

If you eat 1200 calories

you will lose hundred pound
in one month.

So, what are you waiting for?

You can't be eating
and hoping

that your situation is gonna
magically get better.

The time is now or never.

Okay?

All right.

So this is all up to you.

If you need anything,
give me a call, okay?

Yeah. All right, Dr. Now.

Bye, Gary.

Bye.

Well, Dr. Now's only
giving me one month.

That's not
what I was hoping for.

-How did it go with Dr. Now?
-It was all right.

-I was, kind of, listening in.
-Uh-huh.

Why you didn't tell him
that you march in place

when the physical therapist
is here?

And, you know,
why you didn't tell him?

Yeah, but... Yeah, but it's...

What you mean?

It... Yeah, but I'm still...

I still need...
I'm not walking though.

Okay. I'm gonna move
all of these out your way

and put the computer up,
and you can go head on

and just sit up
for a little while.

You know,
I'm trying my hardest

and I feel like
it's just not enough.

But I'm thankful Dr. Now

at least gave me
some more time.

So that's what I have to do.

Try to make it happen
in one month

because I need this help.

And if I don't get it,

that's gonna be
a death sentence for me,

so I'm gonna work
my hardest at this.

And hopefully
Dr. Now is right,

and I'm where I need
when I talk to him again.

Okay.
Put your shirt on.

Okay.

For the past month,
I've been struggling

to keep up with all
I've been needing to do.

With PT and everything,

my legs just took longer
to recover

and it still hurts,

so I haven't been able
to do a lot of workouts

or get up again,

and that got me
a little depressed.

Okay. You like
to put these on.

Okay. You got to...
You got to...

You got to be more
to raise your leg up.

Okay.

And I wasn't sure
about facing Dr. Now

because I didn't think
he was gonna understand

that I tried to reschedule
the call with him.

It was gonna be today,

but I told him
I needed more time.

Wait, wait, wait.

Okay. That's as far
as we're gonna go.

But I just got told by him

a transport is coming
to get me

and take me
to a local clinic.

I'm nervous about it,

because I haven't
been anywhere

in over a year now.

I'm just worried about
how hard it's gonna be.

-Okay. There you go.
-All right.

So we... I'm ready.

-Okay.
-Yes.

Come on in.

Got it?

-Hello there.
-Hi.

How are you, bud?

-What's up, buddy?
-Hey, what's up, buddy?

-How are you doing?
-Chilling.

Okay. Are you ready?

Hold on. We'll do it.

-We'll take you
with this sheet.
-Okay.

Very slow. Very slow.
Very slow.

Gurney him
a little bit.

-On the gurney?
-Yup.

-Like this way?
-And watch your head up.

Yeah. My head up...
Just my...

Yeah.

We got you.

-Okay.
-All right.

-Okay. Good.
-All right.

That's good.

Okay. Now I can scoot over.

But do it slowly.

-Don't overdo it.
-Okay.

Okay. So now... Okay.

All right. So that's as much
as it's gonna go?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Move
at the bottom.

-Ready.
-One, two, three.

Oh, watch it.

Oh, watch it.
That's it. It's fine.

-That's it?
-Yes.

All right.

Okay. Okay.

Good job, guys.

Keep going.

He go through there--

-Yeah.
-He go through
there in his chair

all the time.

Okay.

This is the first time
I had a change of scenery

in a while.

-That's it.
-I'm excited,

but I'm also nervous.

But at least
I'm in good hands.

And I'm hoping Dr. Now would
let me come down to Houston.

That's all I really care
about right now.

I'm just keeping my eyes
on the prize

and hoping that that happens.

Ready? One, two...

-Hold on.
-Well... Yeah. Okay.

One, two, three.
Okay.

Hopefully he can get
the surgery,

so he can live a normal life.

I'm very hopeful
with the outcome.

I just can't wait
until he's up

and moving around and walking.

Yeah.

Okay.

-Woo.
-Okay. That's fine?

-Yeah. Perfect.
-Okay.

What do I think
my weight is gonna be

once I get to...

this weigh-in?

I don't know. Uh,

I'm pretty anxious about that.

All I can think of, uh,
you know, ain't...

There isn't a number

that's gonna stay
the same ever.

So, you know,
numbers fluctuate.

You know, we just have
to wait and see.

-Okay. Turn, turn, turn.
-Turn.

Yeah. Watch it.

Okay. Ready?

-One, two, three.
-Okay. Okay.

Perfect.

-Yeah. Ready? Yeah.
-One, two, three.

-Oh, man.
-Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay.

-Okay.
-You good?

All right. We're good.

-Okay. Good.
-Successful.

-Successful? Okay.
-Yeah.

Hey, Gary.
How are you feeling?

-Hey, mommy.
-Oh, okay.

You're getting ready
to get your weigh-in.

Yeah. I'm excited.

You want me
to hold your phone?

-Yes, please.
-Okay.

I'm here at the local
clinic Dr. Now had me go to

and I'm about
to find out my weight.

-Hey, guys. How are you?
-Hi.

Hi, miss. How are you?

-Hi. I'm Amber.
-Hello, Amber.

And I'm just gonna put
this on here, okay?

-Okay.
-Thank you.

I'm nervous because
I've been working on my diet

and my walking feels better
and I feel lighter.

Okay. So let's see.

So I hope
I've been doing

really good with the scale

and that I'm gonna
show some progress.

I might even
be down to the 600s.

Okay.

So the weight is 764.

Whoa.

Okay.

Damn.
How did it get that high?

I did not expect to see that.

Thank you.

I wish I had something
better to tell Dr. Now,

because this just ruins
everything

and I know he's not
gonna be happy.

But I better let him know.

Hello.

Hello, Dr. Now.

Okay.
How are you doing?

I'm fine. How are you?

I'm good, thank you.

Now, we got you
to the clinic.

We shouldn't have had to get
so much help for you.

But they're gonna run on you
and make sure

there's nothing
going on with you

that is gonna lead to a
medical emergency decision.

But they should have also
got your weight.

So what's going on
with your weight?

Uh, my weight today is 764.

I see.

Your weight three months ago
was 745,

so you haven't
lost anything, no?

No.

Why is that?

Well, I have to...

I have to try harder
with my diet.

Just, uh, eat more healthier.

Yeah. You haven't done
the same thing with your diet

for past five months.

So what is the biggest
piece you're gonna do?

Instead of losing weight
you're gaining weight.

And you're not gonna end up
walking and you keep saying

you have to try harder
and do better, but you don't.

So what option
is the best for you?

The only option is to change

and do something different.

You're correct,
but you keep saying that

and not doing anything.

So why haven't you changed
in past five months?

Um, I don't have
the answer for it.

I was... I have just been, uh,

in bed, uh,
struggling to, uh, walk.

And I've been doing
my physical therapy

and my diet.

I haven't been eating...

I haven't been eating
unhealthy.

I just have to eat less.

Whatever you
you're eating has to be around
7000 to 8000 calories a day.

To maintain
the rate you're at.

Do you understand that?

For you to be 764 pounds,

you're probably eating
close to 8,000 calorie a day.

If you stick with
a 1200 calorie a day,

you're probably gonna be
able to lose

a hundred pounds in a month.

So, it's clear,
you're not cutting back

on anything
you're eating right now.

Uh, well, I'm not eating a lot
of fattening foods.

I'm, uh...
I'm eating a sugar-free food.

Uh, if, uh...

I'm eating plant-based food,
uh, not a lot of meat,

uh, meal preps,

uh, already prepared dinners.

So you're telling me

what you're eating a day,

because that is
what it seems like.

I'm not eating that much.

So what do you think
is wrong with you

eating habits that
you're gaining weight?

Probably too many carbs.

And why you're
telling me that

you're following your diet

when you're eating
too many carbs?

Well, I mean,
it's probably both...

it's probably both side...

Both sides of it.

Okay. You're telling me
on one hand
you're eating healthy.

The other hand you're telling
me you're eating high carb,
it's clear you're not

following the diet
we've sent you.

You're not following what
we're telling you to eat,

you're not eating less,
you're eating more.

And you think
you're eating healthy

and your weight is going up.
Do you understand me?

In your case that
your weight has to do

the amount of calorie
you're taking every day?

Yes.

And you're not cutting
back on your calorie intake

and you're not losing weight
and you think that's okay?

No. I don't think it's okay.

We're waiting on that change.

You're waiting for
your body to turn around

and then that'll be
too late for you.

Well, I'm... That's what
I'm here now for, changing.

You're giving me this story
you need to change,
you haven't taken any steps.

When you're gonna
change that?

I'm gonna start
as soon as possible.

All right. I'm gonna give you
the same goal

that we've given you.

Lose 70 pounds in two months

and you're gonna be
able to walk.

And if you do that,
then you can come

to Houston
and we'll consider you
for weight loss surgery.

If not there is no point in
saying

or this meeting
where I'm with you.

You're telling me
over and over

you're gonna change
and never changing.

And we have given
everything you need

to change your eating
habit

and lose some weight

and you haven't done that.

And this is a very
dangerous situation.

And we haven't been able
to get you wake up

and see the reality
of your situation

that any moment anything
can give out

and your body
is not gonna make it.

You need to stop
playing games

and telling me cliche

and changing
before it's too late.

Okay.

All right?
Tell them to run some tests

to make sure
you are doing okay

and if everything looks good,

they're gonna send you home

and then in two months,

we'll check back with you

and see how you're doing,
okay?

Okay.

So at this point,

everything is up to you.

It is.

And I'm gonna...I'm gonna do
what I have to do.

From now on, I'm gonna be
a lot more strict with myself.

And, uh,
I'm gonna meet my goals.

I believe I can do it.

Okay Gary. Uh, so stick with
the healthy eating habit

and do your part.

And lose 70 pounds
in two months

and we'll see you then.

And if you need anything
in the meantime,

give me a call.

All right, Dr. Now.

All right, Gary.

All right. Bye-bye.

Bye.

-Okay.
-Okay. So let's go ahead.

I'm gonna take
your blood pressure.

We'll work harder.

We've been doing a lot
of changes in his diet.

But I believe just because
he's not mobile

is just the weight
is not going anywhere.

So we have to just try harder.

I wish I had more
weight loss

to report about today.

I thought I was going to.

But now,
I got to make it right.

I got to do
what I need to do.

Just relax.

I got two more months.

I know I can get a lot done
in that time.

Perfect.

Okay.

So blood pressure
is 134 over 76.

Your pulse is 97.

And then oxygen...
Just give me a second.

It keeps going up and down.
Just breathe in...

And I have to get
a lot done

because I know
I'm running out

of chances with Dr. Now.

And he ain't gonna do
this with me forever.

Here we go, 96.

Okay.

So I'm hoping today
don't mess me up

as far as long term with him.

Thank you.

And I can get some
good test results

and we can get this
on the books.

I got to bounce back
from being upset,

but I'm already on my way
where I need to get.

Can't wait to leave.

Feel those feet on the floor?

-I feel them.
-Okay.

Okay.

I've got a good feeling
about today.

-Stand.
-All right.

And then take some steps over
to the chair,

turning as you go.

I'm getting a
motorized chair

to help me get out of bed
and move around.

I just have to take some
steps to make it happen.

And I think I'm ready.

There you go. You're up.

Yeah, I'm up.

Come on over this way.

Back up. Reach back.

Wow. I'm in the chair.

You're in the chair.

Might as well
start riding.

Today, Gary got out of bed.

He transferred
to his wheelchair.

I'm out.

-Fresh air. How does it feel?
-Fresh air.

-It feels invigorating.
-Good.

So just getting him outside
and getting him moving

not only, like, sees himself
making that progress,

but connecting with nature,

connecting with his
neighbors.

He gets motivated.
That's what motivates him.

Wow. This is nice.

-It feels hell good.
-I know.

Does it feel good out here?

It's, like,
perfect weather today too.

Perfect weather.

Oh.

-Look up at that blue sky.
-Yes.

I see it.

Try to get your foot
inside the walker.

There you go.

I'm working harder
than ever before

this past month,
especially with PT

and making progress
with my ability to walk.

-That's it.
-There you go.

All right. Reach back.
There you go.

-Ooh. Little gravity.
-Good job.

A little bit of gravity.

Able to make four
or five steps, though.

That was great.

It's been over a year
since I've been able

to get around like that.

I'm so excited about this.

Whoever thought I would've
been able to do this, man.

-That was awesome.
-No pain, no gain.

Well, no pressure, no gain.

All right. Let's go.

I'm a little worried
about my call today.

I've been taking steps
and going outside

and getting more mobile,
but it made my legs sore.

I'm still going to try
to get up and show Dr. Now.

I just hope that
they don't hurt too much.

My mom has to do work today.

So I'm hoping that I can
get my neighbor to help me

with the camera
to show Dr. Now

how I'm using my legs.

And Dr. Now is happy
and tells me

that I can finally
go to Houston.

Hi, Gary.

Hi.

How are you doing, Gary?

I'm fine.

Good. I hear you made some
progress with your mobility.

I've been, uh, progressing

and sitting at the edge
of my bed

and, you know,
taking some steps.

Well, I'm glad to hear that
you are able to stand

and take some steps.

But looking at you,

you don't look like
you lost any weight.

So what's going on
with your eating habits?

Uh, my eating habit, I haven't
been eating that much.

Uh, I've been changing
my eating habits around.

I haven't been eating
like out of whack.

I've been trying to stay
in the same,

uh, you know, eating,

you know, less starches,
less rice.

Well, what do you mean less?

When something means no,

it means it's not
part of your diet.

And you're 700 pound

and you're still
eating those things

and you think eating less

is gonna help you?

Right.

So I'm concerned about

what your weight loss
have been,

but we'll see about that if
you can get out of the bed.

So can you show me
how you can stand and walk?

Yeah.

Well, I got to sit
at the edge in a bed.

Uh, I'm gonna need
some assistance.

Who's gonna assist you?

Uh, my neighbor.

-Hello.
-Well, where's your neighbor?

Right here. Hello.

All right.

Let's see if you can stand up

and show me what you can do.

Okay.

All right. Pull this off, son.

Okay. Okay. Okay.

All right.

Well, I can stand
and take a few steps.

All right. One...

two...

three.

All right.

You got it.

All right.
Can somebody move that...

The computer
so I can see your feet?

Can you see better now?

Okay. Can you tip it down
so I can see the feet?

Yeah, I can't...
I can't, uh...

Is that better?

Okay.

Okay.

Oh.

What happened?

I had to sit down.

That's all, huh?

Well, I took, like,
four baby steps.

Sure, but that's not
enough for you

to be able to come
to Houston and see us.

I'm glad to see you're trying
to get out of bed.

But this is a very slow
progress that you have made
over,

uh, several months.

And it doesn't look like

you have lost
any weight either.

Um, the standing
is getting better.

Uh...

Well, Gary,
it's been eight months

-since I talked to you...
-I know.

and you
barely made any progress.

I'm just now getting...

I'm sitting on the edge
of my bed.

I'm just now getting
really serious.

I'm fighting
my procrastination right now

because I'm trying to
make it to Houston

and I really, really trying
to fight the good fight.

Well, first,
we need to make sure

that you're making
progress before we...

You consider coming
to Houston, okay?

-Right.
-You understand that, right?

I understand.
So I got to get to work.

So when are you
gonna do the work?

Like, today.

If I got to stand up
at the edge of the bed

five times a day...

Okay...

I can do it.

I can do it.

I've been BS-ing
for the last six months,

but I got...I got to do better
on taking steps.

All right.
Now, at least you got

in right frame of mind...

-Right.
-we'll get you

to your local clinic and see
how your weight's doing.

But I will give you
a couple, like, weeks

to make more progress
and then we'll do that.

Okay.

-Okay?
-All right.

All right.
There's still progress.

And if you need anything,
you may call up.

I will. I'll call you.

All right.
I'll see you later.

All right. Bye-bye.

All right.

-All right.
-Anything else?

No. That's it. I'm good.

-Tina, is it?
-Tia.

-Tia?
-Mmm-hmm.

-Thank you, Tia.
-No problem.

-All right.
-I appreciate you.

You have a good one.

-You too love.
-Okay.

Well, I'm happy that
I was able to show

Dr. Now my progress.

And he seemed
pretty impressed.

I was hoping for an approval
to go to Houston.

But I know that I'm supposed
to lose 70 pounds first.

I know
I'm working hard enough

with the diet and exercise.

So I hope that's what happens
next time I get weighed,

so I can prove it to Dr. Now
once and for all.

I think that's them, Gary.

Come in.

Well, they're coming
to get me today

to take me to the clinic
to get weighed.

-Hi. How are you?
-Good. How about yourself?

-I'm good. Come on in.
-Gary?

Yeah, Gary's waiting on you.

At this time,
I'm a little bit less nervous

than I was last time.

All right.

Yeah. Okay.

My legs are still sore
from using them a lot,

but I'm planning on
walking outside on my own,

so they shouldn't have
to carry me as much.

Hold the chair back sir.

-There you go.
-Yeah. I'm up.

There you go.

I'm gonna turn this way.

Okay.

So I got to
manage at low speed.

Door, door, door, door, door.

One, two, three.

Good.

Push, push.

Okay.

One, two, three.

More.

Lift it up.

Yeah, yeah, go inside.

-Whoo.
-Whoo.

Yeah.

All right.

I'm nervous
about my weight

because going to Houston

and getting
all the help I need

is completely
dependent on this.

So I'm really scared
of what happens

if I didn't meet my goal.

But I think I did well.

So hopefully the scale
is on my side today,

because if not, and I fail,

and Dr. Now gives up on me,

I'm totally screwed.

And I don't know
what I'm gonna do.

Side, side, clear it.

Okay. Gary, so let's go ahead.

I'm gonna go ahead
and start, okay?

Okay.

Today's my big weigh-in

and I'm nervous to find out

if I lost weight or not.

I was 764 pounds
on my last weigh-in.

So that means
if I lost 70 pounds,

I would be down to 694 today.

Okay. Today you weigh 759.30.

Damn, that's not good.

Okay. So let me raise
the bed for you, okay?

-Okay.
-Let me know when to stop.

Keep going.

-All right. Right...
-Right there?

-Right there.
-Okay. Perfect.

So, I'll have you relaxed,
stay still.

And then the operator

will be in with you shortly,
okay?

-Okay. Thank you.
-No problem.

-Excuse me.
-All right.

I lost a little bit,

but I know
that's not very good at all.

I'm afraid to hear
what Dr. Now is gonna say.

Okay.

Hi, Gary.

Hello, Dr. Now.

How are you today?

I'm fine. I'm fine.

How are you?

I'm good, Gary.

So what was
your weight today?

My weight was 759.

So, Gary, you haven't...
You haven't lost any weight

in the past eight months,
so--

Yeah. I lost six pounds.

But that's a little...
A little...

a little progress but--

Gary, listen,

when you're 759 pounds...

It's not weight loss.

I know. I understand.

Okay. So every time
you step on a scale tomorrow,

you may be five pounds over,
five pounds under.

So this is not a weight loss.

In eight months,
you haven't lost anything.

And if you're hungry,

you're eating
the same amount of food.

So don't kid yourself
that you're eating less.

Right.

That's the problem.
So you need to pay attention.

So this is going on
for too long

and you're not putting
any progress.

So I'm gonna give you
two months to lose 70 pounds.

That is my usual goal.

And you can lose
four times that

if do the diet

If you stick
with the heavy eating

and you can't even lose
that amount in one week.

So you need to do that.

And also build up
your mobility

or work and show me that.

you need to walk to transport
the next time, okay?

You walk to transport.

You don't need them
to carry you.

-You got that?
-Right.

If you do all that

then I'll bring you
to Houston,

but if we bring you back here

and you haven't lost that,
that's it, okay?

Yes.

All right.

So, being 759 pounds
is very dangerous

we don't have
much time to waste.

Right.

-Okay?
-Yes.

So, I'm gonna do
some tests on you

and make sure
everything's okay.

-Okay?
-Yes.

Gary, do you have
any questions?

Right now I'm just ready
to work hard

and get down to...

Get that weight go down.

So what are you gonna change
in your eating habit?

Change my eating habits,
no sugars, no starches,

protein,
and all green vegetables.

And you've told me that

a number of times already.

But you haven't done that
for five to eight months

and you haven't lost
much weight.

So hopefully you actually
mean it this time.

Yes.

And it's a minimum
of 40 weight loss,

can you do that

and see if you can walk
a meaningful distance,

then that would be
okay

to come to Houston.

If you're not able to do that

then we're done, okay?

So eight months
is enough for...

To try to lose any weight

and not be able
to do anything.

Because there's no point
of us calling you

and talking to you why you're
not making any progress.

Right.

I feel the same way.

All right.

So we're gonna run some tests
on you, and make sure

everything's okay
before you go home.

-Okay.
-And next time we need
good news. I'll check back

with you next month, okay?

And if you need anything
anytime give me a call.

I will. Thank you, Dr. Now.

All right. You're welcome.

And try harder,
make a progress.

And hopefully we'll see you
guys next month, okay?

Okay. Thank you, Dr. Now.

All right. Bye, Gary.

Bye, Dr. Now.

Bye.

All right.

Well, I'm not going
to Houston yet,

but at least I got
another chance with Dr. Now.

That feels pretty good.

And that means
I got to work my butt off

to get to my new goal.

So now all I got to do
is lose some weight.

And I'm determined to do it

because this is
my last chance.

-Arms or legs first?
-Arms.

Okay.

Ever since my last weigh-in,

I'm pushing myself
harder than ever.

Pass my limits to do
more than I think I can do.

I'm eating like a bird

and cutting away back
on my diet.

I told my mom only salads
and that's it

because I'm gonna do this
no matter what.

One more.

I'm getting
out of bed twice a day

to make sure my legs
are getting stronger

and stronger and so that
I get better at walking.

I know Dr. Now
is not gonna give me

another chance after this.

Do five sets.

It's do or die time.

It's is the fourth quarter,

the ninth inning,

or whatever
you wanna call it.

This is where
I got to dig deep

and give it everything I got.

Because if I don't,
I can end up

losing a lot more than a game.

Okay. Woo.

Rest a little bit,
you did good.

One, two, three.

Oh, I have it.

I know, follow me, okay?

All right.

Okay.

Almost there.

Almost there. One more step.

Got it.

Closer to it.
There you go.

Hold on.

Okay. Go ahead.

That was pretty good
that time.

-I did it.
-Yeah, you did it.

So I'm gonna do
some more.

-Mmm-hmm.
-I'm ready.

It's been a long time
since I thought

I was making any progress.

Oh, whoa, all right.

Okay.

But I was better than
I've done in a long time.

Okay.

I mean, I'm not touching
anybody feet.

No. You're good.

Hold on, don't move.

Hold on.

I need my walker.

Yeah. I'll get it.

But now comes
the really hard part

because I gotta
get myself weighed.

You wanna go and look back?
We got your back.

-Why would I do it
on the doorstep?
-Okay.

All right.

There's a lot
more gravity out here.

You just have to lean
on a hard surface.

You got it.

Let's get the bed closer.

All right. You're good.

Give him a hand.

Gary, do you want me
to hold your legs?

-Yeah.
-Okay.

There's not enough people.

Okay. You ready?

Thank you.

It's been a couple of years

since I moved like that.

I just hope
on the scale it's enough

to show Dr. Now
how much I'm coming along.

And that I'm ready to go
to Houston to get surgery.

Because anything
other than that

just isn't good enough.

But I'm feeling good
because this is the hardest

I've ever worked.

I got all kinds
of weight loss

waiting for me in the future.

I just gotta get there first.

And now's the time
so that's what I'm gonna do.

My progress this year

might not have been
what it should have been.

Dr. Now said I had to lose
40 pounds in a month.

And I was 759 pounds then.

So my goal today
is to be down to 719 pounds.

Today's weight is 753.

What?

That doesn't make sense, man.

I swear I've been
doing everything right.

So this is just
really discouraging.

Because no matter
what I say now.

-Hi, Amber
-I have Dr. Now for you.

Dr. Now won't think
I'm trying hard enough.

It just feels
like it's not fair.

Okay.

So I've got
to talk to him now.

But he's not
gonna be happy with me.

Hi, Gary, how are you doing?

I'm fine, Dr. Now.

How are you?

I'm doing well.

So, Gary, I hear that you did
better with you're walking.

You managed to walk
a little toward the ambulance.

Yeah. I did... I walk...

I walk to my transport, yes.

So the EMT told me

that they still have
to carry you part of the way.

They carried me halfway,
but I walked...

I did 50% walking.

You did 50% only?

Yes.

All right.

Gary, it's been almost a year

and you still
are 750 pounds plus

and at this point,

we have done
everything we can.

We've given here every tool,
that we have including

PT and diet,

but you did not comply
with it.

And you keep promising

that you're gonna do it
next time.

So I don't see anything else
we can do to hold you.

But since you have made

some progress
with your mobility,

what I'm gonna do
is keep PT for you.

And this is gonna be only
until you refuse PT

or skip PT, then we're gonna
stop PT as well.

Well, I'll be...
I'll be working hard,

so I'm gonna make it
to Houston.

Well, if you work hard
and lose enough weight

that you can come to Houston

without medical transport,

then we'll work with you.

Other than that,
I wish you the best,

but I wanna remind you

that you don't have
very much time.

And if you don't start
doing what you need,

then this may not end up
very well for you, okay?

I'm gonna prove you wrong,
Dr. Now,

and I will come to Houston.

Well,
I'll be glad to see that.

But until then,
we're done playing games.

Well, we'll see, Dr. Now.

I'll see you out there
in Houston.

All right. And, Gary,

if you need anything,
you can call me.

I will call you. I'm gonna do
what I have to do.

Thank you.

Well,
I'm gonna wish you luck.

All right.
Thank you, Dr. Now.

You're welcome.

All right.

It is unfortunate that Gary

he has waited almost a year

making little to no progress.

He should have been up
and walking on his own

and done
at least hundred pounds

in the first couple months.

He has had all the tools
he needs to do that.

And he still hasn't made
any changes he needs

to take any steps
towards changing his life.

Maybe losing the chance
to be part of the program

would be a wake-up call
for him

to see that he's the only one
can change the situation.

In the meantime,
we keep providing him with PT

in the hopes
he keeps doing that.

But if he start to skip that

and doesn't take it
seriously,

that will stop, too.

So this is a fork
in the road for Gary.

I hope very much
Gary makes the right choice

and I see Gary again,
but time will tell.

-All right.
-Okay.

-We're out here.
-So good to be outside?

Feels great.

How often
have you been getting out?

I've been getting out
pretty good every other day.

-Every other day?
-Yeah.

-Oh, good.
-Yeah.

I've been getting out.

And then
you can stop anywhere.

Feel that breeze.

That breeze is amazing.

Stop.

It's been about a month

since my last weigh-in

and things have been going
pretty well.

I haven't given up
and I've been working

just as hard as ever.

I'm thankful to Dr. Now
for giving me PT.

And I'm not
gonna lose the chance

to have that privilege.

So I just kept grinding
to get where I gotta go.

And my mobility
keeps getting better.

Okay. So you're gonna stand

and you're gonna walk
as far as you can.

-Okay.
-Okay?

Okay. Okay.

Okay. Take some deep breaths.

Okay.

Just do the best you can,
all right?

Okay.

Breathe.

Power through those legs,

push up, stand up tall.

Look up, one foot
in front of the other

one step at a time.

You got this.

Head up.

Push the walker, step, step.

Walker, step, step. That's it.

Now I'm going
further on my feet

than I have in a long time.

So the plan
is that in about six months,

I'm gonna be down
a hundred pounds.

And I'll be walking
on my own.

And then I'm just
gonna show up in Houston

to Dr. Now and surprise him,

because I'm not
giving up on this chance.

Okay. That's it.

-Nice work.
-That was good.

-That was awesome.
-How many steps?

Like seven or eight.

-Teamwork.
-Yeah.

How do you feel?

-I feel good.
-Good.

-How are those legs feeling?
-They're feeling better.

They're feeling better.

They're ready
for another walk?

I don't know
how to answer that.

My body is probably like,
"Yeah, do it."

My mind's like .

Oh, okay.

Well, if your body's
able to do it,

we can...
we can work with the mind.

I finally realize
I'm at the point

where my life
is just gonna run out.

And I'm not ready
for that yet.

So I know I got to do this.

And there's a fire
under me now

because I know that I can
lose this chance

and lose everything.

And I can't let that happen.

That chance
is all I got left.

So I just keep dreaming
about getting

into Dr. Now's office
and walking in there

to that scale,
like, I own the place.

Looking good
and feeling good.

And when I hit my goal,
and I'm back on a program

with him, he's gonna put me
on a surgery schedule,

and then my new life
will be ready to start.

I took about 12 steps today.

From taking two
and a half steps every time

to take them twelve steps,
it's amazing.

I wound up in the bed
because I stopped trying.

But now
I've got to undo all that.

And I'm gonna show
Dr. Now and everyone

that Gary Hopkins
got a lot left to live.

Now that I'm out the bed,
I feel great.

I'm in my chair.

I'm taking steps.

I'm ready to go
to the next level.

I'm ready to go to Houston.