Original subtitles

I am tired.

We in Houston.

My whole body hurtin'. [grunts]

I'm tired of being fat.

[solemn music playing]

[woman crying] Somewhere in me is this little glimmer of hope.

I just wanna be a normal person.

[sighs wearily]

[breathing heavily]

You can't do it, and then I just... Man!

[woman 2] If I don't make a change now,

I am scared it's gonna be too late.

[woman moaning in pain] No... It hurts!

[woman 3] I refuse to stop fighting.

I have to do this for my children.

[shouts in pain]

In lying so much to yourself, you believed the lie.

In lying so much to yourself, you believed the lie.

You're not going to make it.

That's basically all you have to say.

[solemn music playing]

[grunting]

[Latonya speaking]

-[woman speaks indistinctly] -Yes, ma'am.

[grunts]

[Latonya] The life that I'm living right now,

is uncomfortable.

[straining]

[sighs wearily] Oh, wow!

I barely can get out the bed because of my weight.

And the lymphedema that grow from my legs,

they hurts... night and day,

like, the pain, is unbearable.

It's a fatty tissue that makes your legs swell.

Being in this body, being uncomfortable 24/7,

it's a different kind of experience.

it's a different kind of experience.

You know, I feel scared, because my mobile state

is not getting any better.

And I know that things are getting harder

and worser for me.

Like, I still can walk.

But, just not so far.

I promised myself that I wouldn't be in a wheelchair.

-But I can't even stand up in the shower. - [water splashing]

I have to sit on the side of the tub.

It hurts.

[straining]

[sighs wearily] Ooh!

-[thumps] -[straining]

[Latonya speaking]

[sighs] Oh!

[grunts]

Okay.

[Latonya speaking]

[high-pitched squeaking]

[Latonya speaking]

[Latonya speaking]

I live with my fiance.

He wakes up before me, so...

My caretaker usually take care of my shower, washing my back,

or, you know, getting areas that I can't reach.

[Latonya speaking]

[straining]

[Virgie speaking]

[Virgie speaking]

[Latonya straining]

[straining] Okay.

To take a shower, takes so much energy.

[straining] Oh, God.

Once I'm done, I'm tired.

And, you know I'm hungry, I'm thinking about food.

[Latonya speaking]

[Virgie] Oh, okay.

I spend five hours with Latonya a day.

When I started working with Latonya,

she was more independent.

But, right now, with the amount of weight on her,

Latonya rely on me a lot to make meals,

because she tires easy.

And that her legs are hurtin' and they are swollen.

So, she gets in the bed

and I make her something to eat

and I make her something to eat

and I take it back to the bed.

Oh, but this is all somethin' fairly new.

She wasn't really doin' that before.

[groaning] Okay.

[straining] One, two, three, four...

five, six.

[sighing]

[grunts]

Can I get some lotion on my feet.

The cocoa butter lotion?

Mmm-mmm! This.

I barely can even, like, you know,

take care of my fiance as a woman,

because of me being overweight,

and I don't wanna be... unfair to him.

and I don't wanna be... unfair to him.

He's completely devoted to me because

I helped him get out of prison.

But still, I don't want him to feel like

he have to take care of me, you know.

Anything she asks me to do, I help her with it.

[Daune speaking]

-Yeah, I'm good. -[Daune] All right.

-[Latonya] Thank you, babe. Love you. -Love you, too.

-[Latonya] Thank you, babe. Love you. -Love you, too.

[Latonya] Food is like my best friend.

Thank you.

Can I have some juice, Ms. V?

When I eat, it take the stress away.

This is what I do to help me cope with things.

-I need a roller cart. -[Latonya] Right.

[Virgie] We gonna have to get one.

[Latonya] I know that the food is unhealthy

and is not good for me,

and is not good for me,

but with the habit that I had so long,

it's hard to change it.

So, I'm disappointed in myself,

for letting myself get to this place.

But, you know, you can't change the past.

[melancholy music playing]

You know the situation with me as a child.

I have three siblings,

my sister, my older brother, I have a deceased brother,

I was the baby.

And, up until the time that I was 12,

And, up until the time that I was 12,

everything was really peaceful.

My dad was always there, he was the provider,

to bring in the finances, with my mom.

And, during my early elementary school years,

And, during my early elementary school years,

I was always a little chubby.

Food was just something we did

as a family and as a community,

and I loved eating for that reason.

Because food always meant love.

But then when I was 12, everything changed,

because that's when my mom died very suddenly.

My mother had asthma real bad,

so, one night, she was having an attack.

So, my older brother, Terry, took Mom to the hospital,

So, my older brother, Terry, took Mom to the hospital,

and before she left, she said,

"If I don't make it back tell everybody I love 'em."

But, you know, I'm not thinking

that it's a possibility that my mom not gonna come back.

So, when we got to the hospital,

when we went in the room, me and my sister,

they let us go in and I was tryin' to wake my mom up,

but she wouldn't wake up.

[Latonya speaking emotionally]

[voice breaking] So, I just...

When my mom passed away

I started to turn food into a comfort.

I started to turn food into a comfort.

Food took my painful thoughts away,

and it made me happy for that moment.

When my mom passed away,

my father moved away three months later,

with a lady that I didn't get along with.

I moved in with my older sister,

which is my only sister.

I stayed with her for a few years.

She always was a good little girl.

Once my mom passed, she had to come live with me.

And I guess I think she felt like she was kinda alone.

And I guess I think she felt like she was kinda alone.

But, she had my kids to play with,

but it's just not like having your mother.

[Latonya] When I turned 15, I got my own place.

And, I was only able to do that because

my dad came through and signed for the lease

in his own name.

And I just been on my own ever since.

So, my daddy being the type of man that he is,

financial-wise, he did what he could,

but, as a child...

[voice breaking]

So, then I lived on my own for a while,

and during that time I gained a lot of weight.

By the time I was 15, I was up to 200.

And by the time I was 17, I was up to 300 lbs,

'cause I really had no one taking care of me,

and I could do whatever I wanted.

It was the food that made me feel better.

I was gonna drop out of school.

I was gonna drop out of school.

But my godmother got a hold of me,

and made me finish.

Latonya gone through a depression.

She started eating more and staying to herself a lot.

And that bothered me.

I can't really explain it but she changed a lot.

As I got grown, I just got comfortable with life,

and, you know, I just gained a lot of weight

over the years, you know.

[Valerie] I saw her and I told Latonya,

[Valerie] I saw her and I told Latonya,

I said, "You gonna have to get control of your weight."

She felt like she had control of it.

'Cause she said she was walkin',

she was in the gym exercisin'.

But at some point, I guess, she stopped dietin',

and kept eatin'.

[Latonya] Like five years ago, I fell and broke my knee,

so, I went to the hospital

and that's when I got the motorized wheelchair.

And once I sat down on one of those,

it's like I never got back up again,

it's like I never got back up again,

and my health has gone down ever since.

[hopeful music playing]

Praise God, that during the lockdown,

I was able to find a ray of light.

'Cause it was during that time

when my fiance got in touch with me.

I was incarcerated and I ran into one of her cousins.

So, he was like, I got a cousin for you.

He showed me pictures of her so I was like, "Yeah!"

I know she a good person.

She teach me some things, you know what I'm sayin'?

I knew that he loved me just the way I am.

I just can't thank God enough, you know.

How God work things out.

But now, I need to be able to live long enough

for us to grow old together.

A few years back, I went to see Dr. Now,

but I don't think he ever took me really seriously.

Because I decided that I wasn't ready yet.

I couldn't commit to doin' a program.

But now I'm thinking that I need to go back

and see him again.

-[Virgie] You done? -Yes, ma'am.

-[Latonya] Thank you. -Oh, my Lord, you did real good.

And, can I get a wet towel, wash my hands.

Yes, ma'am.

Tonya?

Tonya?

Tonya.

-Yeah. -Time to get up. Time to get up.

[Latonya] I don't know what time it is.

Let's go to the grocery store.

-[Daune speaking] -[cell phone ringing]

[softly] Ready when you ready.

Adrian got the keys. He waiting for you outside.

Okay, I'm coming.

[Daune] Let's go.

I go grocery shopping maybe once a month,

because it's hard for me to get back and forth

to the grocery store.

to the grocery store.

[sighs wearily]

-You good? -Yeah.

Would you tell Adrian I'm coming?

Please.

And you guys can go on

and get the boards and stuff ready,

so I can be already ready.

All right. All right, baby.

-[Latonya] Thanks babe. -[kisses]

Thank you.

Um, my nephew Adrian, maybe, like, three times a week.

you know, ask Daune, he help me run my errands

and do things for me, you know.

and do things for me, you know.

-Oh, my God! It's cold out here. -[Daune] I told you it's cold.

It's freezing. I'm sorry, guys.

-[Daune] Told you it was cold. -[Latonya] I am so sorry.

-I'm sorry. -Told you it was cold.

[Latonya speaking]

[speaking indistinctly]

[groans] Oh!

[grunts]

I climbed in my van.

That take a lot of energy, so before I can start the van and drive,

I have to take a breath, because

I have to take a breath, because

It done took so much energy to do all that movin'.

[speaking indistinctly]

[Latonya speaking]

[Daune speaking]

[groaning and straining]

[Latonya speaking]

I take my chair, because when I ride the store wheelchairs

I'm uncomfortable.

When I'm in my wheelchair, I'm comfortable.

And I don't get really tired when I go grocery shoppin'

because I'm doin' somethin' that I like.

[grunts]

Once I get inside, I'll be in the store for hours,

because I don't know the next time when I'mma go.

Everybody got a hobby, and food is my hobby.

Oh, y'all get some doughnuts?

The glazed doughnuts?

Get the strawberry ones too. Them different.

I eat about six times per day.

Daune, the chips are over here.

[speaking indistinctly]

I need some meat.

Eggs, bacon.

Turkey bacon with some juice.

Pork, beef, chicken.

Tilapia fish and a salad or something like that.

Jambalaya rice, macaroni and cheese.

I love chips, I like candy.

I love chips, I like candy.

Cake, you know, cookies, you know,

sweet stuff like that. I love cereal.

Some days I don't even eat regular food.

I just eat snacks all day.

Thank you for your time. You too. Be blessed.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Food is my comfort zone,

and I'm just tryin' to get out,

get in the car.

So I can eat chips, something like that.

[straining] One, two...

[grunting]

-Oh, my God. -[car door closes]

Ooh! Don't drop that, it's hot.

Yeah! Ouch!

I'll call you when it's ready, babe.

I'll call you when it's ready, babe.

Okay.

It's so hard to stop because the food,

it just feels so good, you know.

It takes the pain away.

It's been my friend for a long time.

Oh, yeah!

I'm ready to go to Houston, and meet Dr. Now.

Like my mama used to say, "If you gonna worry, don't pray.

If you gonna pray, don't worry."

For all the people who was praying for me,

I thank 'em. You know what I'm sayin'?

I thank 'em. You know what I'm sayin'?

Now, it's my turn, to pay her back, you know.

That's why I'm here. I'mma stay with her forever.

She gonna do it this time.

All the way. She gonna go all the way.

Lose this weight, 'cause she got me with her.

[Latonya] The outcome of what I'm eating...

My fear is that if I don't lose weight

that I won't be around a lot longer.

I wanna change that.

I wanna save my life,

because I don't wanna be this person anymore.

I don't wanna be in this body.

My body feel like it's my prison.

I'm ready to get out of it.

We come here. We gonna live, and we gonna die.

And I'm not ready to let go yet.

[guitar music playing]

[Latonya] Got my tights in here, gotta get my boots.

-Got to go see Dr. Now with my boots. -[Virgie] Yeah.

[Latonya] And I'm just... I'm excited though.

I'm kinda nervous.

[Virgie speaking]

[Latonya] Today, I'm going to Houston, to see Dr. Now.

-Do I-- -You... You can hang that in the back of the van.

[Latonya] The trip should be about four-and-a-half hours.

Okay, guys, if y'all can,

just please put that in the van for me.

That's a very long time for me to be in the car,

but I should be able to handle it in one shot.

I plan to drive.

[sighs wearily]

Ooh, it's cold.

No, stick it in, please.

[breathing heavily]

Thank you.

Okay.

[straining] One, two...

-Three. -[seat squeaking]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[Latonya] Okay, thank you.

Bye. [chuckles softly]

-Okay. -[Virgie] Drive safe.

-Love you. -[Virgie] Love you, honey.

-Gotta go. Okay. -[doors closing]

Y'all ready to roll? Deuces! Let's roll.

[Latonya] All right, Houston. Here we come.

Honey, are we there yet?

Honey, are we there yet?

-[Daune] What? Oh. -[Latonya] Are we there yet?

[Latonya speaking]

Yup.

-I just... my... -You alright?

And then I'm driving with my trip toe.

With my toe 'cause I'm too far back.

I'm too short.

[Daune] Uh, we're in Bethesda.

Babe, get my cake out the bag.

Open it for me.

It's my last week, so...

I gotta get it in before I go to Houston to see the Dr. Now.

Thank you.

This is wear and tear on the body.

Now, I'm just ready to get out of this car.

I don't wanna talk to nobody rest of the night,

I don't want nobody calling my phone, leave me alone

-till tomorrow. -[Daune] It'll pay off in a year, baby.

-till tomorrow. -[Daune] It'll pay off in a year, baby.

[Latonya] No, I'm really trying to make a change. I'm trying.

-You gotta do it then. -Shut up, don't tell me what the [bleep] I gotta do.

Yeah, you got it.

I ain't gotta do [bleep] except stay black, fat and die.

You ain't gonna stay fat, so, I don't know about the rest of that.

We need you to be here for a long time.

Okay?

[Latonya] It may seem that I come out mean, crazy,

it's just a lot of emotions

that I'm dealing with at this moment.

that I'm dealing with at this moment.

So, when you're in pain,

you sad because-- because you feel that way.

So sometimes you do be angry with people around you.

It's not intentional, but it just happen like that.

I am ready to lay down!

I'm tired, I'm aggravated, and I'm pissed off.

Thank God I'm finally here.

All right, shorty.

All right, shorty.

I've been in the car for four hours straight.

We haven't stopped at all.

Living with pain like this is no way to live.

Hey.

All right.

[groaning]

[groaning]

I've got your chair.

[Duane] Here you go.

You got it?

[groaning]

[indistinct conversation]

[solemn instrumental music playing]

[Duane] Here you go.

[Latonya] Ah, awesome.

This gonna be my side over here.

This gonna be my side over here.

[sighs in relief]

Oh Lord, that ride was four hours and I am beat.

I'm ready to lay down.

My whole body hurting.

Nobody be not missing me tomorrow. Period.

I don't want to be bothered.

At all.

Can you please...

turn the lights off, so I can lay down?

-'Cause I'm tired. Yeah. -[man] All right. Well...

-'Cause I'm tired. Yeah. -[man] All right. Well...

-All right. I love you too. Hm [kisses]. -I love you.

[Latonya] I'll see you in the morning.

[captivating instrumental music playing]

[Latonya] I am feeling anxious,

I just--I don't know what he's gonna tell me.

-[beeping] -I'm just excited and I'm just ready to get it over with

and get it started.

Right now the hardest part is just starting.

But you know you have to start from somewhere, so...

[Latonya] Oh my God, y'all we here!

[Latonya] Oh my God, y'all we here!

Let's start this now.

[Duane] The whole thing.

[Latonya sighs]

[indistinct conversation]

[Latonya] I don't know if Dr. Now is gonna remember me.

But if he does,

I'm worried that he's not going to take me seriously.

[keys jingling]

[cell phone ringing]

[enchanting instrumental music playing]

[door closes]

But I know my life depends on losing weight.

But I know my life depends on losing weight.

But I'm ready to do whatever it takes this time.

To make sure that that happens.

So I just hope I get another chance from him.

I cannot screw this up again.

It's either do this right this time or die.

[introspective instrumental music playing]

I'm here at Dr. Now's clinic to get my weight checked.

And it's been a long time since I've been here.

-Latonya? -[Latonya] So I'm really worried about

how much weight I did gain.

Good luck.

-Yes. I think so. -In here. [chuckles politely]

-Excuse me. -Mmm-hmm.

-Excuse me. -Mmm-hmm.

Ah...

[Daune] Do you know what one?

I think this is the one.

-Ok. -[clanging] How gone...

-This is good. -I know.

You gotta get on it.

I know.

It's gonna be hard for me.

You ready to step on?

-Not really. -[nurse] Let me know.

-Not really. -[nurse] Let me know.

Dang, everybody right here.

This is a difficult moment for me.

Take the sweater off. Need no extra pounds.

Okay.

-Get all this... -[creaking]

Oh, my God.

I'm scared.

[winces]

[winces]

[panting]

[Daune] Just stay right there...

[Latonya] I'm hurting!

[groans]

[panting]

[nurse] All right your weight is 632.

[grunts]

[Latonya] I'm not too happy with that.

But it could've been worse.

Daune, can you get the jacket for me?

-[nurse] Okay, we're going to go to room five. -Okay.

[bleep]

-[Daune] Oof. -[Latonya] I know you tired.

-[Daune] Oof. -[Latonya] I know you tired.

-Oh no. -You tired.

Please. I'm not...

...tired.

I know.

I'm tired too.

I'm ready to get this over with.

I'm tired of being fat.

Hm.

[doorknob rattling]

-Hello, how y'all doing? -Hello. Hi. Dr Now, how're you doing?

-[door closes] -Good. So...

[Dr. Now] Latonya? Good to see you again.

-Yes, sir. -So, you brought someone new

-Yes, sir. -So, you brought someone new

with you this time.

And who is this young man with you?

This is my fiance, Daune.

All right, nice to meet you, Daune.

[Dr. Now] Well, Latonya, it says

here in the chart, that you came in five years ago,

when you were 482 pounds, and now you're 631 pounds.

How long you've been in this motorized wheelchair?

-[Latonya] About five years. -Okay [sighs]

[Dr. Now] So, things have gotten worse for you.

So, now how motivated

So, now how motivated

you are to change your eating habit?

How motivated are you to change your life?

And how motivated you are to give up this motorized wheelchair?

[Latonya] I'm very motivated.

-[Dr. Now] What're you willing to do? -I--

I'm willing to make a change.

That's why I came here.

Well, you came here before. And you were given a chance to make those changes.

And in the past five years, you haven't made those changes.

What is different today? Tell me.

Because I finally have a great support system,

Because I finally have a great support system,

with my family, like I never just...

really just reached out to my family and...

I always tried to do it on my own.

And I recently just

reached out to them and told them to support me.

They really came through. And then meeting him, coming into my life,

has been a change because

I know that he love me, love me, like...

I don't have to question it.

So, I just look forward to losing this weight because

So, I just look forward to losing this weight because

I wanna get married, I wanna have my own child, like,

and start my own family and be normal.

All right. So, you know what normal weight for you should be?

What I--What is it? With my height?

-What is it? -160-170.

Now, can you close your eyes and imagine you as 170 pounds?

-[Daune] Be about my size. -Yeah.

[Dr. Now] And you know you have BMI of over 100?

And normal BMI is 18 to 25.

And that's very high BMI, and as young as you are...

And that's very high BMI, and as young as you are...

your body has been able to handle that.

But that's going to change here soon.

And if you keep gaining like you have, all that weight

is gonna put a lot of strain on your system

and you're not gonna live that long.

-Yes. -Okay, so, it's going to be a challenge,

for you to get your weight down,

but you don't have any more time to waste, Latonya.

So the changes have to start now.

And after the diet,

the most important thing is you get out of that wheelchair.

People that are in motorized wheelchairs, they have a real tendency

People that are in motorized wheelchairs, they have a real tendency

-to do everything in a wheelchair, so... -Hm.

...you need to get out of that chair.

So we'll set you up some physical therapy to help you do that.

-Okay. -So, tell me, what is your eating habit look like?

When you usually wake up and when do you usually start eating?

[inhales] Um, I like wake up at like 10.30, um...

I'mma eat breakfast at like 12:00.

What do you usually eat?

-Bacon, eggs, um, grits. -Are you hungry in the morning?

-Bacon, eggs, um, grits. -Are you hungry in the morning?

Mmm-mmm. No, sir.

But if you're not hungry, you don't have to eat.

But the doctor tell me that if I don't eat then that my metabolism

is--is high or low or something, I don't know...

Okay, let me tell you one thing.

Everybody gonna confuse you.

But you should never get confused about the one thing. Eat less.

-Yes. -Okay, there no confusion with that.

Okay, now, if--if you really put the math together,

you have eaten the food that belong

you have eaten the food that belong

-for next four years ahead of time. -[Latonya] Mmm-hmm.

So, don't feel like you have to eat.

-Okay? So, if you're 600 pounds... -[chuckles] I got you.

...you can easily lose

I don't know, 60-70 pounds a month.

-Yeah? -Yeah.

So, how much weight do you think I would have to lose

before you approve me for surgery?

Well, I'm going to give you a month.

And I want you to lose at least 40 to 50 pounds in one month.

So, if you stick to the diet I gave you,

that shouldn't be a problem for you.

-You think you can do that? All right. Great. -I can do it.

-You think you can do that? All right. Great. -I can do it.

-Thank you. -This is gonna be hard.

But nobody said it's gonna be easy.

You have to be determined, and you have to be motivated.

We gonna give you an instruction

but it's all going to be up to you to follow those.

I gave you that before but then you never came back.

-So hopefully this time it's different. Okay? -Yes, sir.

So, I'm going to bring you some stuff, and then go over it,

and then we're gonna see how you're doing in four weeks

and whether you lost 40 pounds or not. Okay?

and whether you lost 40 pounds or not. Okay?

And if you do that, then we're going to work with you.

-Awesome. Awesome, thank you. -[Dr. Now] Okay. Okay?

-[exhales] All right, gonna be back. -I've been telling you, man...

[softly] I'm tired.

You acting like I eat a lot.

Don't matter, you might think I'm not eating a lot,

Don't matter, you might think I'm not eating a lot,

you might eat breakfast...

-You think you ain't be eating a lot. -Can we just...

-do it and not talk about it... -[Daune] You gonna do it.

-Okay. But I can't, I can't. -[Daune] You talk about it, still do it.

Not right now. I just can't...

I don't have the energy, I'm burnt out.

I don't have the energy, I'm burnt out.

-Man, I'm burnt out too. -About weight loss,

-I--I know we can do... -I'm just saying that if it's that bad

-then it's good... I did. -It's not a bad thing. I heard that, but...

-It's like, you are here, my family right here -[Daune] Yeah, right.

everybody just... [growling]

It's our support.

Hopefully, Latonya is serious about getting healthy,

and finally ready to make the changes she needs.

The last time she came to see me, after I gave her the diet

The last time she came to see me, after I gave her the diet

and exercise that she needed, to start working on,

she didn't come back.

So, in seeing that she didn't want

to do what it took to improve her situation.

She seem to have good support from her fiance, Daune.

So this is all gonna come down to whether or not

Latonya is willing to work to get healthy.

All right.

-So this is what you need to read. -Okay.

So let me go over that with you.

So let me go over that with you.

So you understand the diet and exercise you need to be doing, okay?

-Yes, sir. -So what it say in here?

-I really don't eat very much. -Great, now,

-that's your answer? -Are you teasing me?

-That's-- No, is what-- That's exactly... -Yeah.

-...what everybody thinks. -Yeah.

Latonya, it seems, is defensive about her eating habits.

And doesn't realize how much she actually is eating at one time.

But she primarily blames emotional issues as the reason

why she didn't do what she needed the first time.

why she didn't do what she needed the first time.

But claimed that she worked through those issues with her family,

so they're not holding her back any longer.

So, we'll see if that's the case and she's willing to put in the hard work

to make the progress she needs.

And the next thing I want you to do is,

I want you to follow this book,

and this chapter of exercises.

Oh, wow, you got your own book.

-Okay? -What is this?

-Okay? -What is this?

These are exercises and three, four, five, six pages.

So you need to do those,

and we're going to get physical therapy

to help you get walking again.

-[Latonya] Okay. -[Dr. Now] So, good luck,

try to get your weight down,

and lose at least 40 pounds this next month.

-Do your exercises, and get up out of that chair, okay? -Yes, sir.

-Do you have any--any-- uh, questions? -I got you.

[Latonya] No, sir.

All right, I'll see you in a month.

All right, I'll see you in a month.

-Thank you. -[Dr. Now] And if you have

any need for anything, you may call.

-Okay. -Nice to see you.

[Daune] No worries.

-[Latonya] Bye, bye. -[Dr. Now] Bye.

[Latonya] You ready?

It's time to go. Let's go, please, let's go.

-Let's go. -Ok...

Watch your feet, baby. I almost took your my leg off!

[Latonya] I am ready to do this.

And I'm not gonna mess it up this time.

In life, you don't get too many second chances.

In life, you don't get too many second chances.

And this one here, is a big one for me.

So, I know better than to take it for granted.

Ooh. [yelps]

All righty.

Adrian, you ready?

Let's go baby. Grab that purse that book, and let's go.

-This is how I'm gonna make right with myself. -All right...

-For all the wrong I've done to my body. -Okay...

[door opens]

Open the door...

[sighs]

[melancholy music playing]

Latonya? You ready to get dressed, hon?

I am. [groans]

[Latonya] Seeing Dr Now, it really kind of just...

helped me understand that if you wanna live,

then you have to make some changes.

And so, he wanted me to lose

40 pounds...

And I think I may have lost a few pounds.

But, I'm just happy because

lately, Dr Now is sending me to a physical trainer

to help me do the exercises.

And you all gonna work out?

Ooh, I hope she don't have me doing that too hard because I'm hurting.

What--Where my purse at? I need to take my medicine.

[knocking at door]

[Latonya] Come on in, Jameka.

[door opens]

[door opens]

-Hey, beautiful. -Hey, you.

-Hey, sexy. -[Latonya] How are you?

-Ooh baby, if I get as fine as you, ooh baby! Lord! -[playfully] Stop.

How you feeling?

-[sighs] I'm exhausted, but I'm good. -Yeah.

My legs look an apple.

-[Jameka] Okay. [chuckles] -But baby, I'm--I'm okay.

[Jameka] I am proud of Latonya and how far she's come.

'Cause at first, she was lazy.

Exhale one...good,

two, good, three...

[Jameka] But Tonya's habits have gotten better, believe it or not. She...

[Jameka] But Tonya's habits have gotten better, believe it or not. She...

is watching what she's eating but my concern is

the physical, she's not really exercising like she need to.

Nine...

I don't think Latonya works out when I'm not here.

And I can tell because,

I'm pushing her to exhaustion,

but the pain in her leg, she shouldn't be having that.

Three...

But hopefully with the work that we do,

and she'll continue to do it, and get a whole lot better.

Five, six...

Seven...

Eight, nine, ten.

I quit now. I'm tired.

-[Jameka chuckles] -The workout, this is my first time

I've been doing it in bed.

'Cause I'd usually be in my chair, but by me being in pain today,

-And the band, so... -[Jameka] The band...

-I'll be ready next time. Thank you! -All right. See you later.

See you later, give me a hug.

It's good. I feel it up here. It's kinda...

And got my legs, the blood circulating a little bit.

It was awesome.

It was awesome.

After I worked out like that,

I worked up a real good hunger.

So when I'm done, I'm waiting for something good to eat.

That's fish, right?

-Yeah. -[plate clattering]

I hope this ain't tilapia fish, like...

-Obviously... -No, I don't ever cook tilapia.

I cooked that for you, but...

I don't think fried food

is a good option for ya.

I won't eat a whole lot, just a taste, you know?

[Virgie] For lunch, today, we had

[Virgie] For lunch, today, we had

some fish and some French fries.

It wasn't too healthy today.

But, you know, she really is trying really hard.

Tonya cheats on her diet,

but not as much as she used to.

I see her sometimes,

I try not to look at her, I--

I act like I didn't see her. [laughing]

You know you can't be restrict on a diet all the time.

Sometime, you need a little something more. For a taste.

Sometime, you need a little something more. For a taste.

[Latonya] I am worried about going back to Dr. Now.

Because I'm afraid of what he gonna say.

I'm praying that I've lost some weigh.

Basically, it's been hard, but I know that

my life depends on it.

I'm just trying to keep it together.

Good night. [groans]

[sighs]

[anticipatory music playing]

[Latonya] I'm back, I'm tired.

[Latonya] I'm back, I'm tired.

Just to tell you the truth, like...

If it wasn't for you, I really don't even think I'd be fighting this hard.

'Cause, last night, in bed I was hurting.

I was like, "I don't even care if I get up in the morning."

keys [jingling]

Nah, we can take the towel out.

Yes, sir.

[Latonya] Me and Duane are back in Houston to see Dr. Now.

[Latonya] Me and Duane are back in Houston to see Dr. Now.

It took twice as long for us to drive this time because,

I had to keep getting out because my legs were in a lot of pain.

So, it's just taking a toll on me.

I just hope I made the progress I need with my weight loss.

[Latonya] You got it?

[Daune speaking]

[Latonya] Thank you.

[exhales]

[Daune speaking]

[Latonya] No, I'm not nervous. Mmm-hmm.

It is what it's gonna be.

[nurse] Latonya?

[Daune whispers] You want the purse?

[whispers] Don't want my purse, it's all right.

[whispers] Don't want my purse, it's all right.

-Hello. -Hello, how are you?

[Latonya] I'm fine, how are you?

You won't nudge.

Excuse my chair.

[softly grunts]

A month ago, my weight was 631.

And Dr. Now gave me a go of losing 40 pounds by today.

So my hope is that I'm at least down to 551 today.

Okay.

[Daune speaking]

[Latonya speaking]

[groans]

[Latonya] You got it?

[Daune] Yeah, hold on a little.

[nurse] 636.

[Latonya groans]

[nurse] Okay.

We're going to room five.

-[Latonya] Okay. -[nurse] Okay?

[Latonya] Are you ready?

[speaking indistinctly]

Oh, Lord.

Dr. Now finna really be ir--

-And so what? -Irritated.

Oh, Lord, I ain't ready to face him right now.

I don't see how that weight's possible.

I don't see how that weight's possible.

'Cause I know I done a lot to lose weight.

[speaking indistinctly]

[knock on door]

[Latonya] Come in.

Hello, how y'all doing?

-[Daune] Hello. -Hello Dr. Now.

Good.

Well, how was your trip down here?

[sighs] Tiring.

It took me longer this time. Eight hours.

But, I'm kind of scared that...

But, I'm kind of scared that...

the pain that I'm feeling,

it may be a blood clot or something 'cause...

like, it's-- it's-- It's a different type of pain.

-And-- -[Dr. Now speaking]

[Latonya] Right here.

In my leg. And it's really, really like--

-[Dr. Now] In your leg? -[Latonya] Yes.

And I have never been this big.

-[Dr. Now chuckles] -[Latonya] It get big, Dr. Now, but like...

[Dr. Now] All right. All right.

Let's figure out what's going on with you.

So, tell me why you gained weight.

So, tell me why you gained weight.

I gained, well, four pounds

because, basically I'm just...

I gotta try harder.

This is something new for me.

I been eating unhealthy for so long

and like, now trying to change it,

it's kind of-- it's a lot.

But I know it's worth it. [voice breaking]

[Dr. Now] Okay.

So what are you trying to tell me?

You came here last time,

we gave you exercises to follow with physical therapy

we gave you exercises to follow with physical therapy

to help you start getting out of your chair.

And you didn't do that.

And you were supposed to lose 40 pounds over the last month.

But instead you gained weight.

And instead of waking up to things,

you're deflecting the situation by saying you're having pain.

Well, you should have pain because you are 636 pounds.

Instead of being 170 pounds.

And you sit in this motorized wheelchair.

You don't want to give that up?

You don't want to give up your eating habit?

You don't want to give up your eating habit?

Come on, you were supposed to lose weight,

you were supposed to change everything,

you were supposed to call up if you had any questions,

but you didn't follow the diet.

You keep eating too much

and you won't admit it.

It's been five years since you tried to get help,

and you're worse off more than ever now.

Because you're lying so much to yourself,

you believe that you lie.

You keep repeating the same lie doesn't come true.

She expects to continue eating what she does,

She expects to continue eating what she does,

and I make her to lose weight.

But that's not gonna happen.

So-- I--

This is a situation that, uh...

it's all up to her to wanted to make the changes.

You think I want to come here,

drive out here a long time,

come here to just get chewed out?

I could have stayed at home for that.

I-- We're not chewing you out.

-We're giving you reality. -[Latonya laughs]

-We're telling you-- -[Latonya] Yeah, that-- that is--

that is reality.

I mean, you said... Just to say...

I mean, you said... Just to say...

"You know your fat ass need to lose weight.

You in a wheelchair.

You 37 years old,

and if you keep going the way you're going,

you're not going to make it."

That's basically all you had to say.

And you know, I understand it.

I'm not-- I'm not mad about what you saying,

because it's-- it's right. it's true.

You know, the only thing that I need someone to understand is,

it's not as easy as people think it is.

So it's not going to happen overnight.

So it's not going to happen overnight.

I'm not a robot.

Well, uh, you're convincing yourself that it's gonna take time. No.

The decision to make to change your life is gonna take one decision.

One minute. To change your life.

But you convinced yourself that it's not going to be easy.

Two, four weeks, six weeks, six months, a year to change.

You don't want me telling you what you're gonna do?

You're gonna do the same thing and then come back making excuses.

-[Latonya] No, sir. -And you're gonna say they're water weight.

It was-- I'm constipated.

I didn't go to bathroom for three days.

Or the floor was crooked.

And-- any of those excuses that you believe in yourself,

and you keep repeating them.

So the only option we have left is to send you to psychotherapy

and see if it can convince you to see the reality

before it's too late.

So I'm gonna set that up for you to go to.

And I'm going to give you two months to lose 60 pounds.

That is less weight each month, an easier goal.

That is less weight each month, an easier goal.

If you do that, then we can work with you.

If not, then I don't know what else we can do for you.

All right, so you-- we'll check your legs out,

and make sure there are no issues.

-Then you can get going. -[Latonya] Thank you.

[door closes]

He gonna tell you the same thing I be saying.

Same, exactly thing that I be saying.

Same thing.

[Dr. Now] I was hoping after five years,

Latonya had finally woken up and was ready to do what she needed.

But she doesn't want to give up her food and her wheelchair.

So we'll see if psychotherapy is able to wake her up.

If Latonya doesn't turn her situation around soon.

it is just a matter of time before things get even worse for her.

And she'll end up in a situation that she may not survive.

[Latonya] I thought I done better and made the progress.

So I'm upset with myself that I didn't.

And I know how important it is to do this.

[Latonya grunts]

If I choose life, then there's only one path to take.

So that's what I'm gonna do because I have no choice.

[engine starts]

[instrumental music playing]

-[Latonya] Try, baby. -[Daune] You don't know.

-[Latonya shouts] -[Daune] There you go.

[Latonya chuckles]

[Latonya] Today I'm headed to this therapist Dr. Now wants me to meet.

I'm not sure if this is gonna help at all.

But I think Dr. Now just want me jumping through hoops.

So I'll do it if it satisfies Dr. Now.

So I'll do it if it satisfies Dr. Now.

-[Daune] Come on. -[Latonya grunts]

[Latonya breathing heavily]

[Daune] There you go.

[Latonya] Oh.

[Daune] That's good exercise.

[Latonya laughs]

That was good, you need to do that more often.

Latonya?

I'm Dr. Paradise. You ready?

[Latonya] Yeah.

[groans] Pull me up, baby.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay, go. Walk, walk, walk.

You got-- there's a couch right there.

-Just a couple more steps. -[Latonya wheezing] All right.

I got-- I got it. Go.

-Go. [laughs] -[Daune] Come on.

-[Latonya laughs] Go! -[Paradise] Almost there.

[Latonya chuckles]

Oh! Let me go, let me go, let me go.

-Oh! -[Daune] Yeah?

[Latonya clears throat] Perfect.

Good.

Thank you for your help.

-[Latonya] Thank you, babe. -[Daune] Don't worry.

[chuckles] Thank you.

-[Paradise] Thank you. -[Daune] All right.

-[Latonya clears throat] -[door closes]

That your boyfriend?

That your boyfriend?

-My fiance. -Your fiance? What's his name?

-Daune. -I'm glad Daune was here.

I am too! [laughs]

-Kind of a trip up the stairs? -Yeah.

-I'm proud of you. -Thank you.

That's terrific, I'm really glad you-- you made it to the office.

And-- and why don't you start by telling me a little bit about yourself?

Um...

Let me see, where do I start from?

The obesity began, um,

when I was 12 years old.

I lost my mom, um, at the age of 12.

I lost my mom, um, at the age of 12.

-Um, so I stayed with my-- -What did--

How did your mom pass?

She had a heart attack.

Okay.

[inhales] After my mom died, I went with my sister,

because my dad moved in with a woman.

The woman that he moved in with?

Her and my mom was friends.

-Like-- -Okay, so you disapproved.

Yeah, I did.

Were you-- were you mad at your dad?

Yeah, I was mad.

I'm never gonna forget it but I forgave him for it.

But, I still have...

But, I still have...

that little girl that's still deep down in there that's...

still angry.

Yeah. And w-- what's her question?

Her question is,

why was it so easy

to walk away?

Like, what did I do?

I was only a child.

Yeah.

It seems like maybe there's still something with your dad

that you're working out.

I want you to journal a little bit about your feelings.

Get them straight in your own head

Get them straight in your own head

and then share it with somebody.

Yeah, exactly.

Journaling your feelings can be empowering

and lead you away from negative coping strategies like over-eating.

Yeah.

It's so good to talk to you.

-You too. -I-- I'm really glad you made it in.

I'm feeling positive about your future.

-Likewise, thank you. -Okay.

I'll walk you out, okay?

Awesome.

-You need Daune? -Daune.

-[Paradise] Daune, are you out here, man? -[Daune] Yeah.

[Paradise] Thank you for being patient. Come on in.

[Paradise] Thank you for being patient. Come on in.

[Latonya exhales]

-[Latonya] You ready? -[Daune] Mmm.

[Latonya] It's gonna be hard. You gonna have to use both hands.

[Latonya laughs]

Oh!

Ow!

Okay, help me up.

[Paradise] I think Latonya is a smiling depressive

in that she puts on a good face for the world.

I don't think she's allowed herself

to really go to the dark stuff in her own past

for the fear that she'll let somebody down or,

for the fear that she'll let somebody down or,

or maybe that there's nobody there to help her with it.

-And she really needs to face herself. -[Latonya groans]

[Latonya breathing heavily]

[Latonya] I don't know about that.

[indistinct conversation]

But I think that might've been a big waste of time and energy.

[instrumental music playing]

[Latonya] I been back from Houston a little over a week.

And I think I been doing good cutting back on my food intake

And I think I been doing good cutting back on my food intake

and doing my exercises.

It's been hard, but I know I'm doing good because of how hard it's been.

If it wasn't hard, then I'd know if I was doing something wrong.

Today I'm gonna try to do what Dr. Paradise asked me to do for homework,

and I'm gonna do some journaling.

I think I'm gonna practice expressing my feelings, like he wants me to.

Well, good morning, beautiful.

-Well, good morning. -How you doing?

-I'm good, how you doing? -I'm just...

trying to move forward and...

After having to meet with Dr. Paradise, like...

he gave me some homework to, kinda, write down things

that I'm going through and stuff like that.

that I'm going through and stuff like that.

-Mmm-hmm. -But, um...

I was angry for so long, like...

-A girl, her first love is her father. -Mmm-hmm.

-So-- -It's true.

When her father don't show her the love and affection that she need,

-she search for it other places. -That's true.

-Mmm-hmm. -And food became my comfort zone, so.

You wake up and these are the results, like.

It's gonna be a challenge, it's not gonna be easy.

-But you can do it. -I know it's gonna be worth it!

-Yeah, that's right. -[Latonya laughs]

-But you can do it. -Yeah.

-But you can do it. -Yeah.

-Give me love, give me love. -[caretaker chuckles]

-'Cause I know you got to go. -Aww.

-[Virgie] You can do it, you can do it. -Thank you.

[Virgie] All right-y, see you later.

Bye.

I still got to do better for Dr. Now.

And I only have a couple months to prove to him

that I deserve surgery when I go back to see him.

This time, I intend to do a lot better.

I can't lose this chance.

I can't lose this chance.

There's too many people counting on me.

My arms are short. [bleep]

[softly] One, two, three, four,

10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16...

I might not always believe in myself,

but I do believe I can do this.

And I know it's now or never.

Oh, I feel it.

[soft music playing]

My whole body hurts. I drove almost six hours.

Driving them hours and I'm still driving.

-Are you sure we should be-- -All the way here, I hope he'll be there.

-[Latonya groans] -Mmm-hmm.

Long as you can see somebody.

[Dr. Now] Daune called about an hour ago

to tell me that Latonya has bad leg pain again.

Last time she came down, she complained about that.

And we checked her out and nothing severe was wrong with her.

This time she says the pain is even worse,

to the point that she thinks she might pass out.

So I told her to come to the hospital so we check her out.

[Latonya] Hello, how you doing?

-I-- -I'm tired, I'm hurting.

-Come in. -I'm telling you.

Okay, come on.

[Dr. Now] As far as I can tell, that she's having a lot of pain

and shortness of breath

and that she thinks that-- that her legs are hurting because lymphedema is swollen.

But looking at her just from the past,

we cannot tell if there's anything seriously wrong with her.

So we're gonna bring her in the hospital and see what's going on.

[Latonya groans]

-I can do it. -[nurse 2] Okay.

-I can do it. -[nurse 2] Okay.

[Latonya exhales]

-[Latonya] What I did. -[nurse 2] Huh?

Having a witness ain't helping.

[groaning]

[exhales]

You're not having chest pain or anything, huh?

-[exhales] -Shortness of breath?

Sure then, okay.

We'll go get the monitor and get some bloodwork done

and we're gonna see what's going on with you, okay?

Okay.

I don't doubt she has some swelling and discomfort in her legs and feet.

But that is because she is probably over 600 pounds.

And that is taking a toll on her body.

[Latonya] You see my legs?

They hurt.

My ankles are red and pink,

purple.

[Dr. Now] The lymphedema masses, uh,

they're pretty much the same, no?

[Latonya] Mmm. It's a little worser now.

[Dr. Now] I think the issue with her leg pain is

more about deflecting again from the fact

she hasn't made the progress she needs.

And she knows that.

And so she's using other issues to try to distract from that again.

To try to avoid facing the situation.

To try to avoid facing the situation.

But with the state of her body,

and the strain she still has on it,

there could be other issues we need to address first.

So we ran some tests and checked her out

to see what state her body is in.

And we will also get her weight

and see if she has made any progress over the last few months.

[Latonya clears throat]

-[Dr. Now] I just think your wife should diet. -[Daune] Mmm. She starving.

[Daune] She be starving. She be doing it. But...

[Dr. Now] But not as much, huh?

-But she can't keep up with it, huh? -Mmm.

[Dr. Now] We have run a number of tests on Latonya,

and we're still in the process of doing that.

But so far, there is nothing concerning her legs.

She doesn't have a blood clot.

She said that was her main concern,

but she doesn't have any issues like that.

but she doesn't have any issues like that.

I am concerned about her heart.

Some of the tests are a little concerning

and I want to address that.

Some of the tests show that

her heart may be struggling a great deal right now.

[Latonya] Still in pain.

I'm aggravated, I'm hurtin',

and I can't breathe in here.

[Dr. Now] We got her weight and she's up to 642.

So she has not made any progress

and continued gaining a little.

So I'm concerned about the strain she has on her body

So I'm concerned about the strain she has on her body

and how close she may be to it giving out.

So I'm gonna keep her here for a little bit

and finish running some more tests on her heart.

[Latonya] I lost seven pounds when I was in hospital.

Yeah, but it might be that.

-It might be that, you know? -[Latonya] Can we just--

[Latonya] What about if we just--

-[Daune] hospital goosebumps. -[Dr. Now] See that thing?

Mmm-hmm.

And you see the last one?

Yeah?

And this is five years.

And this is five years.

But everything looks like it's doing good.

But I'm gonna keep you in hospital for a couple of weeks

because your heart may be struggling

a little more than I'm comfortable with to send you home.

So I'm gonna run some more tests on you.

And I'm gonna get the cardiologist to come and look at you

-and see what your heart is doing. -Mmm.

-And see what we can do with you, okay? -Okay.

I think most of your problem is your weight, okay?

So the most important thing for you here is to,

So the most important thing for you here is to,

you need to lose some weight, okay?

I'm trying.

You keep saying you're trying

but you're running out of time.

-Okay? -Yes, sir.

You don't seem to fully get that.

If you keep all this weight on you for much longer,

you know, your body will not tolerate that for too long.

Your body is going to give out.

So you have to start losing weight now

before that happens and it's too late for you.

Why you just gonna keep me in the hospital?

For like, two weeks to just--

For like, two weeks to just--

get the weight down so I can--

Look, if-- that's not how it works.

I told you, you have to do the hard work.

Then if we do that then you go home, you gain all the weight back.

First, we need to make sure you're gonna survive the operation.

If here's no way to put you to sleep, you won't survive.

And we can't breathe for you because you know,

we have to push the air in there,

and your chest is so heavy...

the lung won't tolerate the pressure.

Yeah.

Yeah.

[Dr. Now] So you're gonna have to get to a much better place with your health

before you're ready for that.

And to do that

you're gonna have to lose a lot of weight.

Okay.

If we do all that for you,

because you won't do it for yourself,

then surgery won't help you.

That's where you come in.

You're the man with the plan.

Well, we got a plan,

but you have to comply with the plan.

I know.

And that's what you need

to work on harder.

to work on harder.

I'm a move in the house with you,

so your chef can cook for me.

[Dr. Now] I am my own chef,

you have to be own chef.

So you're gonna have to do your best.

Well, I have been trying for a long time.

It's been five years,

it's been a long time.

-[Dr. Now] Yeah, but... -It's time now.

but it is all up to you.

You're gonna have to make those changes.

I'm working on it.

All right. We'll get some more tests done to you,

so then start your own controlled diet,

so then start your own controlled diet,

then after you'll start to get some weight loss,

before you go home, okay?

Okay.

[Dr. Now] I was hoping,

starting psychotherapy was gonna help start

to wake Latonya up,

but that didn't happen.

She didn't make any progress with her weight,

or with her physical therapy,

to get of her chair.

Ow.

So right now,

we will try to get her weight down some,

to help prevent a serious situation with her,

to where her body gives out,

and she has a medical emergency

and she has a medical emergency

that she won't survive.

But after that,

it's all gonna be up to her again.

My hope is that,

if we help give her some momentum,

going in the right direction,

that may help her to adjust doing what she needs.

But if not, then we are getting close

to being out of options with Latonya.

[Dr. Now] We have had Latonya here in the hospital

for the last couple of weeks.

She came to the hospital

because she was having problems with her heart.

While she was here, we have had her on a controlled diet

to get her weight down.

But she hasn't been too co-operative.

Most days, she tells PTE she's too tired,

or her body hurts too much

to get out of the bed.

to get out of the bed.

So she tries to avoid that.

And we have had a dietitian work with her,

to understand proper diet,

but she argued with them,

and disagreed with the food selection here

at the hospital.

So it hasn't been easy with her.

[Dr. Now] But we have been able to get her to loose 48 pounds

in just two weeks,

so her weight is down from 642 to 594.

So with that on top of some medication,

we were able to get her heart

out of the critical place it was when she arrived.

out of the critical place it was when she arrived.

But her whole body is still very close to a breaking point,

and if she doesn't continue

to loose a lot more weight,

then her situation can get critical again very fast.

[knock on door]

[Latonya] Come in.

Hey, Latonya.

Hey, Dr. Now, how are you doing?

How you doing today?

[Latonya] I'm okay.

All right, um,

did the physical therapy come work with you?

Yes, sir.

The dietitian come talk to you?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

[Latonya] Can you talk to her about the food

that they've been sending in here?

Well, I don't know why you don't like the food

that everybody else eats in the world.

Show me what they brought you?

This... I didn't touch it.

-Ow. -[Dr. Now] Well, that's good.

-Good lunch. -I don't eat that.

I don't eat beans,

and I don't even know what that is?

And this look like dog food.

[Dr. Now] You don't like meat?

I don't eat stuff like this.

-That's good nutrition, they're good protein, right? -Like bean--

I don't eat beans at all.

I don't eat beans at all.

But how about the meat?

I don't eat that kind of meat.

I haven't really ate anything since I've been here.

You're not gonna fade away.

You're gonna be fine.

I still have to eat something.

No.

You have eaten the food that belonged to the next four years,

ahead of time.

So, if you don't eat, you're gonna be all right.

At your weight,

the body's got the reserve

that you don't eat anything for a week or two,

there's not anything gonna happen.

But, like, in a hospital,

But, like, in a hospital,

when taking medication,

and having to take different medicines,

you have to have food in your system

to take the medicine, not to be nauseated.

But the dog food that they give me here is not--

I don't eat stuff like that.

And that's not dog food, that's very good food.

Well, I don't-- Well...

-let me rephrase that. -[Dr. Now] What? You gotta...

you gotta learn to eat the high protein diet.

And it is tasty, and it's high-protein.

I've been in this very uncomfortable bed,

I've been in this very uncomfortable bed,

it's been cold in this hospital.

I did not come this far for just...

You're not in a hotel.

-You're in the hospital. -[Latonya] I know that.

-I know that. -Okay. You got 400 pounds of

-extra food stored in your body. -Mmm-hmm.

And you need to pay that back.

Okay?

Now the echocardiograms show

all the four chambers of the heart are distended

and over-strained, okay?

and over-strained, okay?

Your heart is over-strained because of your weight,

and your lung capacity is restricted because of your weight.

-Hmm. -So,

this is the time for you to learn

what healthy eating habits should be.

You can go back to, uh...

what you like to eat,

and what you consider to be healthy food.

-Yes sir. -We got your heart out of a critical place

over the past couple of weeks,

but if you don't keep losing weight,

your heart is gonna get to a critical place very quickly again.

your heart is gonna get to a critical place very quickly again.

So, change and learn what to do at home.

-Yeah. -Because...

there's something wrong with your eating habit

that you're not losing weight.

You agree with that?

-Yes. -Yes, sir.

So it's the time to learn what healthy eating habits should be.

-Okay? -Yes, sir.

So, you can easily loose 60 pounds

in two and a half months.

Okay?

So no excuses, because you're running out of time.

So no excuses, because you're running out of time.

-Okay. -Okay?

So we will discharge you here soon,

to get you going home, okay?

-Okay. -All right.

[Latonya] Thank you.

[Dr. Now] All right. I'll see you later.

[Latonya] Okay. Bye-bye.

Hopefully, the momentum we have given Latonya,

and the tools we have provided her in the last couple of weeks,

will be enough

to finally get her going in the right direction.

But she doesn't have a lot of time,

if she keeps pushing her body like this.

if she keeps pushing her body like this.

She either loses weight and it keep it off,

to alleviate this strain she's putting on her body,

or her situation is gonna get critical again,

and something is gonna happen where she doesn't make it.

So, she's gonna have to start taking this seriously,

or this not gonna turn out well for Latonya.

Go, go, go.

Girl you look too cute.

[Latonya] The changes that I've made so far

since I've been back...

I don't do delivery anymore to fast-food.

You know, I don't really do snacks anymore.

It's a sacrifice, but it's worth it,

you know what I'm saying?

You'll get your chips...

so I could finish my exercise, here.

so I could finish my exercise, here.

-Mine. -Okay.

[Latonya] I keep my god-daughter through the week sometimes.

Her mom works.

She just lifts my spirits,

she keeps me going, so...

I really have to fight to stay around for her.

One, two, three...

[Latonya] She depends on me.

ten, 11, 12, 13,

14-- come back.

Tryna exercise with my god-baby is... Oh, my God.

Tryna exercise with my god-baby is... Oh, my God.

It's kind of... it's kind of funny...

'cause she's make me laugh,

and as I'm counting, she tries to count as well.

She's only one.

16, 17, 18,

19, 20... ooh!

So, like, I basically just do a little warming up,

or whatever, you know,

try to take a few steps and walking.

Just doing different things that I used to... couldn't do.

you know, so, now, I'm tryna...

just move around more.

just move around more.

[wheels squeaking]

Move.

All right, Tonya. All right.

[girl] Hello!

-[girl] This is her chair. -Move, honey. Move, move.

Oh, wonderful.

Oh, wonderful.

I work out, you know, through the day,

from the morning to evening, you know,

but it was kinda warm outside,

so I'll probably just continue tomorrow,

you know, with the workout,

um, I'mma get me a walk in,

you know, I just try to do a little different movement around.

-You did good, you did good. -I couldn't,

-I was nervous. -That's all right.

-One step at a time, baby. -And I...

I hold my breath...

when I walk some-- when I'm moving, I'm not breathing.

But we know we need to count, one, two, three...

But we know we need to count, one, two, three...

I was counting for you,

but you didn't hear me.

-[Virgie] You did good -It wasn't--

It wasn't enough, but it's gonna get better.

-[Virgie] Yeah. -It's gonna get better.

I got to go out of here and get ready to start cooking,

-'cause he'll be home in a while. -Okay, then.

Well, you save me some for tomorrow.

I sure will, honeybuns.

Come on, go.

Come on, go. [mimicking car horn honking]

You better move.

You better move, you better move.

You better move.

After I did the workout,

I kinda feel relaxed,

and you know, it was relaxing.

It's always exciting to know that

your doing something healthy, you know...

for new results.

Um, it was okay.

Honey, I'm home.

Hey, boo. How you doing?

-[Daune] Tired, man. I'm hungry, man. -How...

How was your day?

It was all right, but I'm hungry now, I'm hungry.

What you cook?

I just made something healthy for me and for you.

I just made something healthy for me and for you.

-I need the stove. -Give me a kiss.

My fiance, Daune,

who has just come at home, so...

I was trying to get him...

accommodated with cooking for him,

and making sure that he was comfortable, you know.

Okay, what you did today?

I walked.

[Daune] How many steps you took?

Oh, like, four. [laughs]

That's it?

-That's good. That's a start. -Yeah, I was scared,

then you weren't here with me.

-So I feel like-- -What you scared of?

You keep saying you're scared.

You keep saying you're scared.

'Cause I feel like I'mma fall.

[Daune] That's cause you ain't been on your feet like that in a while.

It's like something you gotta get used to all over again.

Yeah.

[Daune] It's simple, man.

I told you over and over again,

that's... that will make me mad.

It's easy to lose that weight.

That's easy for you to say.

That's your thing.

That's easy for you to say.

You know this is life-threatening.

You gon' play with your life?

I've just been caught up in everybody else's life,

and not concentrating on me.

Stop talking about people,

Stop talking about people,

people, people, people.

It ain't about people, it's about you, man.

It ain't even about me right now.

Now you know this,

this... this is something you know already.

Yeah. I'm done talking about it, though.

I know that losing weight...

would change my life forever.

Would you just put that in the microwave?

I'll put this up later.

But yeah, I'm finna...

call it a night.

I'm gonna do what he tells me to do.

[soft music playing]

[Latonya] Well, we made it.

[Latonya] I'm excited about today.

[Latonya] I'm excited about today.

And hopefully I'mma get to move ahead

with my weight loss surgery soon...

because I know Dr. Now's gonna give me the green light for that

when he sees how I've done this time.

[breathing heavily]

[exhales]

I know you hot. I'm sorry.

Latonya.

[Latonya] Hey, Ms. Rose.

[nurse] Hello, how are you?

-[Latonya] I'm okay, how are you doing? -[nurse] Good.

-[nurse] Okay. -[Daune] How you doing?

[Latonya] When I left the hospital, I was in 594,

and Dr. Now wanted me to loose 60 pounds by today.

And I know I made progress towards it,

And I know I made progress towards it,

so I'm excited to see how much.

[nurse] Okay.

We're ready.

[breathing heavily]

-We're going to room five. -[Latonya] Okay.

[Latonya] That just doesn't make any sense.

That can't be right.

The scale just can't be showing my weight right.

And now this is gonna be a big mess,

because Dr. Now is not gonna like it.

And I just can't take him chewing me out again.

[exhales forcefully]

[exhales]

Patience.

[knock on door]

-[Dr. Now] Hello. -[Latonya] Hi.

How are y'all doing?

[Latonya] All right, you know.

All right. Well, Latonya,

how is everything going with you?

Pretty bad.

Pretty bad.

Well, I know. We got you in the hospital to loose some weight,

and you go home and start gaining again.

So what's with that?

I... I don't-- I'm not gonna say that...

I think that...

it may be the lymphedema, I don't know now.

But I really have, like,

cut down on the sweetening... the drinks,

like, a lot of stuff that I used to do,

I've cut down on it,

but, like, with the exercise and that stuff,

but, like, with the exercise and that stuff,

I haven't been able to do none of that from the pain and stuff.

It's not lymphedema,

it is your eating habit

and you have not been able to change that,

and you're expecting something magical to change that,

that's not gonna happen.

I'm not expecting magic,

'cause if I was expecting magic,

I wouldn't be here with you.

-Right? -[Dr. Now] No, no, no...

Look, you can tell yourself,

you're not looking for a magic solution,

you're not looking for a magic solution,

but you keep saying that you're gonna do something,

but you never do it.

Can we agree

that your weight has to do with what you eat?

-Yeah. -[Dr. Now] Okay.

And if you eat less, you're gonna lose weight.

Okay?

And if you don't understand any part of the diets,

you should understand to eat less.

That is an issue that

we go over and over with you,

and in time we come back, we gain a few pounds.

So this is not working,

So this is not working,

and I don't know what else to do

to get through to you at this point,

because some element of control has to come from you.

So far, that has hasn't happened,

and we cannot get you to take that step.

So, when are you gonna do that?

Now.

So what is different this time from the last time you told me, "Now?"

From the time before you told me you can change,

from the time before you told me you can change.

Just coming here and looking at the scale,

Just coming here and looking at the scale,

and just seeing that in reality, like,

you got one foot in the grave and one foot out.

Like, this is the deadline, this is it.

Repeatedly, we have been with you,

explaining the diet, what to eat, what not to eat,

how many times to eat, how many calories,

but you don't do any of it.

You don't follow any of the direction I gave you.

So, at this point,

there is nothing more I can do for you.

And I'm not gonna set up another appointment for you.

And I'm not gonna set up another appointment for you.

If you want to wake up and change your eating habit,

and lose at least 60 pounds to show me that,

then let me know.

And we'll set an appointment to get your weight checked

in Shreveport, to see.

Because there is no point in you coming down here anymore,

and going through the motions,

when it is clear that you're not gonna change at all.

But unless that happens, then we are done.

-Okay? -Okay.

Have a nice trip back home.

[Latonya] Okay. Thank you.

-I feel like a boomerang. -Who?

I can just keep going in circles,

I've been here before.

[Dr. Now] At this point,

there is nothing more we can do for Latonya.

It's been going on over six years,

since she first came to me for help.

And aside from a short period of time

we put her on a controlled diet in the hospital,

she hasn't lost any weight.

And over the last eight months,

we have given her

we have given her

every tool and opportunity we can,

and nothing we have done

has made any difference with her.

We provided her with a diet

and exercises to follow,

with a physical therapist to get her out of her chair.

And a dietitian and psychotherapist

to also help her.

And none of it has been enough

to get her to start doing what she needs.

So unless she decides to take this seriously,

and lose at least 60 pounds,

then we are done with her.

Hopefully, she wakes up before it's too late.

Hopefully, she wakes up before it's too late.

It was kinda what I expected,

because I've gained weight.

I didn't expect him to go light on me,

because, you know, I am guilty...

you know,

for the weight gain.

Depression, stress, finances,

you know, just going through a lot.

But there's no excuse of me

not doing what I need to do to lose the weight.

I'm frustrated, because I am trying.

I'm frustrated, because I am trying.

I need my situation to get easier,

but it only ever gets harder.

This is just one more time

that I gotta figure out on my own, like I always do.

Well, that's what I'm gonna do.