Imagine being trapped in a body so large that you get winded just when you get out of a chair. Rather than treat the topic with ridicule and disdain, “My 600 lb Life” on The Learning Channel (TLC) gives a sensitive, yet candid perspective on the trials and triumphs of those who elect to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Yes, they get the risky surgery, but then the real work begins. There’s the all-important follow up with a regime of a healthy portioned diet, exercise, as well as psychological treatment to help explore their reasons for food addiction.
The participants also need to deal with what their condition has cost them in the past and learn strategies for navigating their future. Particularly interesting is the evolution of relationships with their families, including some enabling members who seem more anxious than pleased with their loved one’s transformation and others who are desperate to stop their parent from committing slow suicide with a fork.
Although all of the stories have merit, there are some that stand out as truly extraordinary journeys. Here are the Top Five Stories of “My 600 lb Life”
5. Melissa Morris
Melissa rates a spot in the top five, not only because she was featured in the first two episodes, but because she is an inspiration to others. From 683 lbs. to a healthier 183, Melissa has done on to be a weight loss counselor and school advocate for healthy eating and exercise. In the first episode, we see her long-suffering spouse Chris, bringing her enough fast food for a family of five for her daily lunch. Then he heroically holds her hand in the tense moments leading up to her going under the knife for the gastric bypass surgery that might kill her.
Turns out Chris wasn’t the good guy we thought he was, as he was setting up a sex date with another woman while his wife was being wheeled in for surgery. The show has documented Melissa’s ups and downs, including a miscarriage, and finally becoming a mom, plus her on again off again relationship with her insecure spouse who finds her new independence a threat.
4. Zsalynn Whitworth
Season 2 of “My 600 lb. life brought the story of Zsalynn, who lost over 300 lbs. only to find out that her husband, Gareth, wants the formerly obese Zsalynn back Apparently, he is a “chubby chaser” who only finds super size ladies appealing. Now divorced, Zsalynn a mother of one with a very pretty face, had found a new independent life and is still working hard to maintain a healthy weight. Like other husbands on the show, he found that his former role of a caretaker of his obese spouse came to an end and that left a hole in his life; however, his not finding her attractive anymore is a real shocker.
3. Sean Milliken
When the viewers first met 900 pound Sean in Season 4, things didn’t look good. He was moving to Houston to start his weight loss journey, but he was so heavy he couldn’t board a plane. The 40-hour ride in the back of a van was going to be torture, and he feared that if he fell, no one could pick him up. Still, he said goodbye to his helpful church friends, and with his mom, set out to meet with Dr. Nowzaradan. Twenty-five-year-old Sean also had some heavy psychological baggage to deal with stemming from growing up with an abusive dad and enabling mom. Now, mom was behind him to finally get him some help and his half ton weight loss was awe-inspiring. If Sean could make this amazing transformation after being so heavy he couldn’t be properly weighed at the clinic, none of us who need to lose that extra 10 or 20 pounds have an excuse not to do so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGlnhTTnqro
2. Cynthia Wells
One of the most talked about participants has been this season’s Cynthia, who is trying to juggle radical weight loss with family responsibilities. She is a working professional, unlike many of the other participants whose only job it is to lose weight. There are real obstacles in her path, including how to pay expenses to go to Houston to be in the care of Dr. Nowzaradan, and all of the responsibilities she has had to put on her 12-year-old daughter. She’s frustrated with the regimented program and wants to continue the journey on her own. She was in the news for having some choice words about the process. She has lost 156 lbs. but is refusing therapy for food addiction. Is she or isn’t she a food addict? Can she make it on her own? She is a person many can relate to as her struggle to lead a productive life while losing weight is real.
1. Marla Mccants
Not all “My 600lb Life” stories end happily. Years after fighting with the doctor and clinic staff but still managing to lose a significant amount of weight, Marla is still bedridden. At one point, she was kicked out of the program for not trying to just walk. Marla is still endangering her life as she refuses to exercise and still demands food to be brought to her. Her daughter’s heartache is evident in 2015 episode as the as she brings in tons of junk food so that her mom won’t get angry. Marla’s daughter tearfully says she is afraid that her mom will die. Marla herself says that the idea of her kids finding her dead “horrifies her”, but she will not get out of bed to help herself reach a healthy weight.
Most disturbing is that Marla demanded that her daughter provide her with a hot fat fryer on a plank to cook up chicken from bed. Seeing that she dropped 200lbs. after the surgery, she had a great head start toward saving her own life. Anxious followers of the program, particularly the “Where are they now?” updates, hope that she will start making good decisions. Marla’s story is important for anyone who thinks that having gastric bypass surgery will be the magic bullet to cure their obesity problem.
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