Bariatric Surgery Program on TLC

TLC is introducing a 13-part series called Big Medicine. It will chronicle the work of a father-and-son team of bariatric surgeons as they conduct weight-loss surgeries on obese patients at Houston’s Methodist Weight Management Center. The show premieres on Monday, May 28 at 9:00 (Eastern / Pacific).

Here’s the full release:

Father & Son Surgeon Team Tackle Obesity in TLC’s New Series BIG MEDICINE

Airing Mondays Beginning Memorial Day, 13-part Series Shares Personal Journeys of Transformation

SILVER SPRING, Md., May 8 /PRNewswire/ — It’s no secret that America
has a serious problem with obesity. According to the American Bariatric
Society, approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60
million obese and 9 million severely obese. In TLC’s new series BIG
MEDICINE, a father and son physician team fight the obesity epidemic one
bariatric surgery at a time.

BIG MEDICINE premieres Monday, May 28, at 9 PM (ET/PT) and follows the
personal stories of severely obese patients who turn to Houston’s Methodist
Weight Management Center as a life-changing last resort. One of the most
innovative bariatric surgery practices, Methodist adheres to a long-term,
multidisciplinary approach that includes a plan for lifelong follow-up. At
the heart of the operation is passionate father and son surgeon team Robert
and Garth Davis, a pair who have dedicated their professional lives to
raising awareness about obesity.

BIG MEDICINE offers a behind-the-scenes look into the controversial
world of bariatric surgery. The series chronicles the emotional journeys
and transformation of obese people who have opted to undergo weight-loss
surgery in an attempt to regain their lives. Patients are captured at
various stages in the process — before and during the surgery, through
recovery and post-op care and often through cosmetic procedures designed to
remove sagging skin after dramatic weight loss.

The 13-part series introduces viewers to the Methodist team of experts
dedicated to lifelong patient care, including a nurse coordinator,
dietitian and counselor. This group works together to evaluate patients,
prepare them for the physical and psychological impact of surgery and offer
long-term support through post-op programs. To Robert and Garth Davis,
obesity is a disease. And while weight-loss surgery is not a cure, it can
be a lifesaving option for patients who are ready to commit to long-term
lifestyle changes.

Some of the extraordinary stories featured in BIG MEDICINE include a
26- year-old morbidly obese man who is a prisoner in his own home and must
rely on his mother for all of his daily needs; a mother and daughter duo
who have huge amounts of excess skin removed after losing a combined 225
lbs; and a 32-year- old dad weighing in at almost 500 lbs who lost both his
parents from the complications of obesity and is desperate not to follow in
their footsteps.

Often as gripping as the patient stories is the colorful relationship
between this father and son team where old school meets new school head on.
Dr. Robert Davis, aka “big D,” is true to the old ways of medicine and
sometimes finds new techniques too flashy or unnecessary, while Dr. Garth
Davis, aka “little D,” is eager to modernize the business. Despite these
differences, the pair unites in the operating room to fight a common enemy
and change lives forever.

For more than 25 years, The Methodist Hospital in Houston has led the
way in helping people achieve weight loss with safe, long-term solutions.
The Methodist Weight Management Center is the only comprehensive program of its kind in Houston, offering numerous weight-loss options for patients.

BIG MEDICINE is produced by The Idea Factory. Alon Orstein is the
executive producer for TLC. Stephen David and Darryl Silver are executive
producers for The Idea Factory.

TLC is the only television network dedicated to lifelong learning for
viewers who want to grow up, not old. Featuring programming that explores
life’s key transitions and turning points, TLC presents high-quality,
relatable and authentic personal stories. TLC connects more than 94 million
homes in North America to the human experience with life’s lessons you
can’t learn from books. TLC is a property of Discovery Communications,
Inc., the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5
billion people in over 170 countries. Through TV and new media, Discovery’s
100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Travel Channel,
Animal Planet and Discovery Health. DCI is owned by Discovery Holding Co.
(Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications Inc., Advance/Newhouse
Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery’s founder and chairman. For
more information please visit http://www.discovery.com.

Source: PRNewswire