FatBoyGetDown / Steven John Assanti - MASSIVELY Overweight Leech, Proud Useless Asshole, Reality TV "Star", Still not dead via Fat.

[sperginity]

I’d personally think that TLC would pay for most, if not all, of the medical costs. If you look at the kinds of people who come onto that show, a lot of them are living in shitty houses and getting fat almost entirely off of cheap fast food and junk food. I’d imagine that most of them have government healthcare as a result of their poverty status and/or “disability” status, which definitely wouldn’t pay for the extent of medical treatment that they receive on the show. A lot of them are given extensive pre- and post-care, transportation to Texas for the surgery, in-home healthcare during recovery (like that poor woman who helped Steven for a little while after his procedure), and assistance with their dieting/exercise routines throughout the process.

I could be wrong, but I’d imagine that the majority of people who come onto the show do not have the sort of health insurance that would cover all of those procedures.

That quote at the beginning of MSHPL about a 5% success rate is true. Weight loss surgery is the only reliable method we know of to assist super morbidly obese people in the long term. Even the ones who end up fat again usually get a 5-10 year break from their obesity related health problems. It is a net gain for the system because chronic worsening health problems are costly, the patient has to have regular check ups and take meds every day, and it always leads to extremely costly emergency room visits at some point.

medicaid covers weight loss surgery for patients who have a morbidly obese BMI and who have a comorbid condition like sleep apnea or type 2 diabetes. You can't get it for being only fat, but it is a matter of time for people who are over 400 lbs. You have to spend 6 months doing medically observed weight loss, pass a psych exam, and some other shit I don't remember. Medicaid will cover skin removal if a doctor shows it is necessary and not purely cosmetic (like if it blisters or gets rashes or whatever). Physicians generally like medicaid because it pays out reliably and the policies are comparatively simple, there are fewer surprises and disputes. Medicaid covers roux en y gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery, I think they might cover lap band still but it is becoming much less popular with doctors.

TLC could probably afford to pay for everyone's surgery but they don't. They are vultures preying on freak shows. I bet TLC helps these people sign up for medicaid.

 

[toilet_rainbow]

That quote at the beginning of MSHPL about a 5% success rate is true. Weight loss surgery is the only reliable method we know of to assist super morbidly obese people in the long term. Even the ones who end up fat again usually get a 5-10 year break from their obesity related health problems. It is a net gain for the system because chronic worsening health problems are costly, the patient has to have regular check ups and take meds every day, and it always leads to extremely costly emergency room visits at some point.

medicaid covers weight loss surgery for patients who have a morbidly obese BMI and who have a comorbid condition like sleep apnea or type 2 diabetes. You can't get it for being only fat, but it is a matter of time for people who are over 400 lbs. You have to spend 6 months doing medically observed weight loss, pass a psych exam, and some other shit I don't remember. Medicaid will cover skin removal if a doctor shows it is necessary and not purely cosmetic (like if it blisters or gets rashes or whatever). Physicians generally like medicaid because it pays out reliably and the policies are comparatively simple, there are fewer surprises and disputes. Medicaid covers roux en y gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery, I think they might cover lap band still but it is becoming much less popular with doctors.

TLC could probably afford to pay for everyone's surgery but they don't. They are vultures preying on freak shows. I bet TLC helps these people sign up for medicaid.

I wouldn't be surprised if they're helping with Medicaid, or even the paperwork you have to do to get an appointment to a clinic in the first place. So many people on that show are practically illiterate. Shenee "I'm very knowledged" whatever-her-last-name was comes to mind.

You're right on the money re: WLS. Just a couple of additions for trivia's sake: other requirements for insurance include extensive lab work, a gall bladder scan, and an endoscopy. Gall bladder scan is because rapid weight loss can cause gallstones; if gallstones are already present it can be removed during the WLS procedure. Sleeve can cause horrific acid reflux so RNY is preferred if you have GERD or have a chance of developing Barrett's. A lot of sleeve to bypass revisions aren't necessarily for additional weight loss (which was the original intent for sleeve) but because the acid reflux is intolerable.

(Note: Dr Now used to do almost exclusively RNY at the beginning of the show but now does sleeve almost exclusively. It could be because they're cheaper or because it's faster to perform on 600 pounders that could flatline on the table any second like Vianney did recently.)

One quick point, though- Medicaid only covers removal of the pannus when it does cover skin surgery. No muscle toning, new belly button, or anything aesthetically pleasing- simply removal of the extra gut. That's it. I've heard of people getting covered for additional skin surgeries through other insurance companies (e.g. BCBS) but it's very difficult to qualify even with the right documentation. You can practically have to have a stack of pictures, papers, etc of rashes and infections in the excess skin and not even that is enough much of the time because skin surgery is considered cosmetic. It's a total crapshoot. Many end up going on Care Credit to fund it when their insurance fails. I don't know if TLC is helping fund skin surgeries. There is that sister show Skin Tight where plastic surgeons (and Dr Now) perform multi part procedures on former deathfats so maybe they do.

 

[Ruin]

Imagine spawning two 600+ pound neckbeard drug addicts. That is some seriously cursed jizz. Even Bob Chandler did better and he produced the internet's biggest tard and a hipster.

 

[justherefortheoutbirk]

I can't get over the father. Not just how he reacts to Steven, but also Justin. Why does he favor Steven over him? Sure, Justin is a whiny victim loser, but he was sort of pushed into having that role by Steven, the loud bully loser.

FASD? Or dropped as a baby? Might be a reason mom noped the fuck out of there early. I used to think he was just a manipulative little shit, but after working with someone with a TBI for a year, the similarities are striking (speech seems a bit too consistent for drugs), compared to the narcissists, BPDs, and sociopaths I've also had the displeasure of dealing with. I just don't think he's got the brainpower to be as manipulative as people give him credit for. He just knows to scream to get what he wants. And he has less self awareness of his physical state than the worst I've seen on Hoarders.

Justin, however...sack of shit knows what he's doing. Hit your dad, while driving? And then he buys you a puppy? Just cause he's a doormat doesn't mean that if you're an adult with the mental capacity to get what you want, you should scream like your brain damaged brother to get your way just because you *can*.

I want them to keep following the Justin cow, I can't imagine him not blowing his staples without Dr. Now breathing down his neck. Or even with.

 

[Rabbit Bones]

I just watched the new episode, and I feel really bad for Justin. He's a fat, petulant sack of shit, but everyone in his family is insanely unhealthy. He tries to set boundaries with his abusive, mentally ill, drug addicted brother, and his father stomps all over them. Justin isn't allowed to have control over anything in his life, not even his fucking doctors appointments. His father screaming at him because HE gave Justins pain pills to Steven was absolutely shocking. He needs to cut ties with both of them... as long as he's reliant on his father, he's never going to be able to mature into an independent and functional human.

(But I have to admit. When a fucking impulse buy puppy was what got the nearly 30 year old man to stop sulking at his daddy, I got seriously irked with him.)

 

[Francis Dollarhyde]

No, almost all of these people have Medicaid paying the costs of surgery, not TLC. TLC might assist them with getting the paperwork done for Medicaid to approve the surgery and other benefits in Texas. TLC pays a living stipend, which helps with rent costs but you’ll notice many participants are put in low cost HUD units when possible. If they don’t qualify for HUD then TLC might up the stipend or pay for a hotel. (They were willing to pay for Justin to stay in a hotel for a month or more) But the Assantis got some exceptions because they were a big ratings draw. TLC helps participants do paperwork to qualify for various welfare programs almost all of them qualify for because so few work. (There are a few exceptions to this that might have private insurance, but it’s true for the majority.)



Nah, Dr Now was playing totally for the ratings. Steven is one of their biggest ratings hate watch. He wasn’t worried about Justin but creating good content for the cameras. There was zero reason for Steven to be there. It was done totally for the benefit of the show and creating drama.

Don’t put Dr Now on a pedestal. His son is the producer of the show so they are jerking off this for all its worth. Dr Now has done some shady shit in the past. When his wife of thirty years divorced him a decade ago he pissed the judge so bad lying and hiding his assets that the judge stomped his ass and divided the estate 70/30 in favor of his wife. Judges only take extreme steps like that if you are being a real shithead.

Money matters to this guy more than yet another fatty who has eaten himself to the edge of the grave. I don’t really blame him for that - I have little sympathy for ppl who have eaten themselves to 600 lbs.

The judge gave his wife 100% of everything except for the clinic which made it come down to 70/30. But he lost his full pension, all homes, all savings, cars, absolutely everything and got nothing except for the opportunity to make money. Which he needed because the ex gets a big fat check every month and he has no pension to live off and pay her. He has to work to pay her or there are consequences.

And do not make the mistake thinking his wife is squeaky clean. I would hide all I can if my wife fucked my friends. I would not at all be surprised if she was trying to get more money now because the show does very well.

 

[MirnaMinkoff]

The judge gave his wife 100% of everything except for the clinic which made it come down to 70/30. But he lost his full pension, all homes, all savings, cars, absolutely everything and got nothing except for the opportunity to make money. Which he needed because the ex gets a big fat check every month and he has no pension to live off and pay her. He has to work to pay her or there are consequences.

And do not make the mistake thinking his wife is squeaky clean. I would hide all I can if my wife fucked my friends. I would not at all be surprised if she was trying to get more money now because the show does very well.

Wow, he really pissed off the judge something fierce.

I wouldn’t dare say his ex-wife is a saint, idk anything about her. However, they were married for 30 years and raised three kids, it’s not like some trophy wife that tried to clean him out after three years of marriage. Given his wife would have been near 60 when they divorced the idea of her “fucking his friends” as you say seems odd.

She must have kept herself in amazing shape to be a senior citizen thot luring all his collegaues into her bed. In my experience doctors looking to fuck around tend to go for 23 year old nurses, not the 55 year old wives of coworkers. We sure Dr Now isn’t one of those crazy Iranian dudes who thinks his wife saying hello to another man means she wants to fuck him?

I did understand that he changed his speciality to bariatric surgery after the divorce to basically mint money. He had been a general vascular surgeon and that background is what makes him particularly adept at bariatric surgery for 600 lb monsters.

 

[Cedric_Eff]

Would a Gastric bypass or a stomach sleeve save this a-hole?

 

[Salubrious]

Justin: "Why don't you tell them how many pills you gave Steven?"
Dad: "I gave him 10 of em!"
Justin: "Who's pills were they?"
Dad: "Yours! You should be working with him, helping him get off drugs!"

I can't even figure out the Dad's point here. Justin is supposed to help Steven get off drugs by illegally giving his brother painkillers? Why 10 of them and not 1 or 2? Also, doesn't Justin need them to, you know, not actually be in pain?

Then again, there is probably nothing to figure out. As others have said, the Dad is clearly an enabler and Justin is the family scapegoat.

 

[sperginity]

(Note: Dr Now used to do almost exclusively RNY at the beginning of the show but now does sleeve almost exclusively. It could be because they're cheaper or because it's faster to perform on 600 pounders that could flatline on the table any second like Vianney did recently.)

RNY has better weight loss results long term but also causes chronic malnutrition problems (weakened bones, anemia, b12, etc). It has fallen out of favor industry wide because of the nutrient deficiency issue.

The judge gave his wife 100% of everything except for the clinic which made it come down to 70/30. But he lost his full pension, all homes, all savings, cars, absolutely everything and got nothing except for the opportunity to make money. Which he needed because the ex gets a big fat check every month and he has no pension to live off and pay her. He has to work to pay her or there are consequences.

And do not make the mistake thinking his wife is squeaky clean. I would hide all I can if my wife fucked my friends. I would not at all be surprised if she was trying to get more money now because the show does very well.

Dr. Now was found to be abusive to his ex wife (not physically but financially and emotionally) & tried to hide a bunch of his assets from the court. If you have to get divorced retain an attorney who can explain to you why trying to hide your assets is a stupid plan.

 

[AnOminous]

I can't even figure out the Dad's point here. Justin is supposed to help Steven get off drugs by illegally giving his brother painkillers? Why 10 of them and not 1 or 2? Also, doesn't Justin need them to, you know, not actually be in pain?

It's not only a crime to steal the drugs, but to illegally distribute them afterwards is certainly a felony. They should just go in and arrest both of them, as they would if you or I openly committed crimes on camera. It's apparently okay when it's for some shitty TV show, though.

 

[Ruin]

Would a Gastric bypass or a stomach sleeve save this a-hole?

Weight loss surgery for people this obese is incredibly risky. Dr Now is one of the few surgeons who will even attempt it.

 

[toilet_rainbow]

RNY has better weight loss results long term but also causes chronic malnutrition problems (weakened bones, anemia, b12, etc). It has fallen out of favor industry wide because of the nutrient deficiency issue.

That too. Plenty of them end up on iron and B12 injections even when taking their supplements. Duodenal Switch is even worse. That's one reason beside that sleeve alone is just as effective (step one of DS is the sleeve) that surgeons very rarely perform DS. Sleeve patients still have to take multivitamins for life but malabsorption's not as bad a concern as the other two. RNY is still common, however, despite more surgeons favoring sleeve. Many patients equally qualify for both and are given a choice.

Would a Gastric bypass or a stomach sleeve save this a-hole?

Steven got the sleeve in the previous Where are They Now?. I see him being a total failure and/or dropping dead from the drugs and damage from his weight. I fully believe he only came on the show for pills and attention.

 

[bigshot]

Would a Gastric bypass or a stomach sleeve save this a-hole?

It would definitely help him. But he would have to be off drugs, he would have to lose enough weight to allow space for the surgical instruments to get inside and move around, and he would have to make a commitment to change. The surgery isn't the problem. He is.

 

[Francis Dollarhyde]

It's not only a crime to steal the drugs, but to illegally distribute them afterwards is certainly a felony. They should just go in and arrest both of them, as they would if you or I openly committed crimes on camera. It's apparently okay when it's for some shitty TV show, though.

Unless they decide they want to make an example of someone. Then see them hurry to make a spectacle out of it. But it happened in Texas and he is in Des Moines now. If Dr Now informs on him maybe they can have some officers present in the clinic at his next checkup in Texas.

 

[Barbarella]

Sadly, being a good doctor does not mean one is necessarily a good person.

Here is some documentation I found re: the divorce. It’s full of legalities but it does seem to be a 70/30 split.

Younan Nowzaradan v. Delores Nowzaradan--Appeal from 311th District Court of Harris County

Younan Nowzaradan v. Delores Nowzaradan--Appeal from 311th District Court of Harris County

law.justia.com

I checked it out because my state has no fault divorce and community property is a 50/50 split no matter what one did to the other. In cases of income disparity, there is a formula everybody follows. I was surprised to hear all of this happening.

I am curious what explanation is behind this sentence:

“He permitted the marital home to deteriorate, despite recovering insurance payments for damage, and generally allowed the residence to fall into disrepair..”

I also watch Hoarders, and it’s shocking how many of them are nurses. Not saying that’s the case here or anything, he may not have even lived in the home that fell into disrepair, and it may not mean anything serious, maybe a broken window or something. But to think a nurse can live in the kind of filth many do (with no water and bugs, etc) and then go to work and touch patients creeps me the fuck out and it always pricks my ears to hear these things about medical professionals.

No doctor or nurse should live as badly as Steven Assanti does. His apartments are always gross, and I’m sure the only reason they aren’t hoarded is he doesn’t have the money or walking ability to fill it up. But that show would be the next logical crossover for him. That or Intervention although his family is too messed up for that one.

 

[bitch eating crackers]

I just watched the new episode, and I feel really bad for Justin. He's a fat, petulant sack of shit, but everyone in his family is insanely unhealthy. He tries to set boundaries with his abusive, mentally ill, drug addicted brother, and his father stomps all over them. Justin isn't allowed to have control over anything in his life, not even his fucking doctors appointments. His father screaming at him because HE gave Justins pain pills to Steven was absolutely shocking. He needs to cut ties with both of them... as long as he's reliant on his father, he's never going to be able to mature into an independent and functional human.

(But I have to admit. When a fucking impulse buy puppy was what got the nearly 30 year old man to stop sulking at his daddy, I got seriously irked with him.)

I'm only about a third of the way into the episode but there is a very clear narcissistic family system here. The dad is a narcissist, Steven is (inexplicably) the golden child and Justin is the scapegoat. The scene where Dad is driving Justin to Houston, and Justin says he doesn't want to see Steven, so Dad goes batshit, says he wants to hit Justin and threatens to take him all the way back home and refuse to let him get the surgery. All because he hurt poor, pwecious Steven's feelings.

Even the way he was lecturing Justin in the car about how "soon it'll be your time to take care of me" with the implication that's the reason Justin needs to lose weight -- not for his health, but so he can take care of Dad. Blech. Narcs make my skin crawl.

 

[MirnaMinkoff]

Sadly, being a good doctor does not mean one is necessarily a good person.

Here is some documentation I found re: the divorce. It’s full of legalities but it does seem to be a 70/30 split.

Younan Nowzaradan v. Delores Nowzaradan--Appeal from 311th District Court of Harris County

Younan Nowzaradan v. Delores Nowzaradan--Appeal from 311th District Court of Harris County

law.justia.com

I checked it out because my state has no fault divorce and community property is a 50/50 split no matter what one did to the other. In cases of income disparity, there is a formula everybody follows. I was surprised to hear all of this happening.

I am curious what explanation is behind this sentence:

“He permitted the marital home to deteriorate, despite recovering insurance payments for damage, and generally allowed the residence to fall into disrepair..”

I also watch Hoarders, and it’s shocking how many of them are nurses. Not saying that’s the case here or anything, he may not have even lived in the home that fell into disrepair, and it may not mean anything serious, maybe a broken window or something. But to think a nurse can live in the kind of filth many do (with no water and bugs, etc) and then go to work and touch patients creeps me the fuck out and it always pricks my ears to hear these things about medical professionals.

No doctor or nurse should live as badly as Steven Assanti does. His apartments are always gross, and I’m sure the only reason they aren’t hoarded is he doesn’t have the money or walking ability to fill it up. But that show would be the next logical crossover for him. That or Intervention although his family is too messed up for that one.

I’d assume it means a roof leak or some sort of structural damage happened to their home. Dr Now collected the insurance claim for the damage, but didn’t fix the damage and allowed it to compound. In the case of a roof leak this would mean allowing more water to pour in a keep causing more and more with every rain storm.

In the middle of a divorce I’m sure he was happy to let the home go to shit while he wasn’t living in it and esp if his wife was. The value of the home would continue to decrease with the compounding damage which means her getting the house in the split would be a Pyrrhic victory. Instead of getting a lovely high end home she gets a money pit in total disrepair that would cost a fortune to fix.

Sounds like typical nasty divorce fight behavior. I figure Dr Now preferred the house destroyed instead of his wife getting to live in it comfortably.

 

[UE 558]

snip

You should probably save that for the m6hpl general thread, the focus is still steven and his shit family here

https://kiwifarms.st/threads/my-600-pound-life.29290/

 

[Bob's Vagene]

New pointless video of Steven floating around today. Apparently he's still alive.

Originally titled "Wal Mart Fat Bitch Who Saw Me".

Well, he's back. Fat and disgusting as ever. Here's another he uploaded today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EFGw4rlts8

"Toxic".