900lbs and desperate to lose weight: New documentary follows morbidly-obese man on his race for life-saving surgery
At approximately 900lbs, Ricky Naputi is one of the world's fattest men. His vast size has kept him bed-bound in his home on the Pacific island of Guam for the past five years.
But tonight, a TLC special charts the morbidly obese 39-year-old's journey as he seeks the help he so desperately needs to lose weight and begin living a normal life.
Producers follow Mr Naputi and his wife Cheryl over the course of three years as they seek guidance from obesity expert Angie Flores, search for a surgeon prepared to take on his case and address the challenges of getting him to the U.S. mainland where he can get the weight-loss surgery he needs.
Bed-bound: At 900lbs, Ricky Naputi, 39, pictured with wife Cheryl, is one of the world's fattest men
In a new sneak peek released ahead of tonight's show, Mr Naputi is seen preparing to meet a Dr Vong, who has been brought to Guam by Ms Flores to weigh and assess him.
Ms Flores observes en-route to Mr Naputi's home that many of the people in the street appear to have a weight problem. Indeed, six in ten adults in Guam are overweight or obese.
Mr Naputi admits to the camera that he is not quite as prepared for the doctor's visit as he would like, though. His brief had been to lose 100lbs before the meeting in order that he can qualify for weight-loss surgery.
'I'm feeling nervous about seeing him today because I should have actually been losing some weight,' he says.
Desperate for a solution: In a TLC special airing tonight, Mr Naputi is seen seeking the help he needs to lose weight and begin living a normal life
Important decisions: Mr Naputi meets Dr Vong (left) with Angie Flores (right) in order that they can discuss the risks and logistics of his potential surgery
'My hope for today for this meeting is to hear the doctor actually say we can go through with the surgery, and we can take the steps to prepare me for my journey to come.
'I'm willing to try my best, my one goal and my one goal only is to get my life back.'
'The last time I got out and enjoyed myself must have been years. I miss feeling the sun on my face'
Mrs Naputi too is feeling some guilt as she prepares a chicken dish in the kitchen.
'I know for a fact I'm going to get scolded,' she says. 'No matter how much I try, I always tend to give in to my husband. It's really hard! My husband wears the pants in this relationship you know.'
The weigh-in itself is a challenge. Dr Vong places the scale on the floor, but Mr Naputi struggles to rise from a sitting position to physically stand on it.
The number on the scale says he weighs just under 700lbs, but as he was leaning against a piece of furniture the true figure is likely to be more, indicating that he has not lost the weight as prescribed.
But Ricky is nothing short of desperate to transform his life.
True love: Mr Naputi was already morbidly obese when he met his wife, Cheryl. The couple have now been together for a decade
Challenge: For the weigh-in, Dr Vong places the scale on the floor, but Mr Naputi struggles to rise from a sitting position to physically stand on it
'The last time I got out and enjoyed myself must have been years,' he says in another clip. 'I miss feeling the sun on my face. Miss showering, feeling the water run down my body.'
For now, his wife of ten years tends to his every need - cooking for him, giving him sponge baths and even helping him go to the toilet.
'It's like taking care of an overgrown baby,' she admits.
She reveals that her husband was already morbidly obese when they met. They had been speaking over the phone and she had been eager to meet the man behind the voice.
'When I went to Ricky's apartment, he only cracked [the door] open an inch or so,' she said. 'I pushed the door in . . . three-and-a-half weeks later I moved in.'
TLC’s 900 POUND MAN: THE RACE AGAINST TIME airs tonight at 9pm ET
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