The Grim Reality Of Life At 800+ Pounds

TLC continues to produce shows with titles that I am not a big fan of. Previously we reacted to Family By The Ton featuring Casey, a man who overcame being 800 pounds and continues to lose weight now into the 200s. Today we look at the very popular My 600 Pound Life with Dr. Now, specifically the story of Marla McCants, a fast food addict who weighed over 800 pounds. Marla drove to see Dr. Now in Houston and almost didn't survive the journey. Today we look at her medical experiences receiving bariatric surgery, battling blood clots, and finding the will to walk on her journey to actually losing over 600 pounds. I'm so proud of Marla for taking control of her health and improving her quality of life not just for herself, but her children and grandchildren as well. As always, please lead with empathy in the comments and recognize you should never judge a book by its cover or attribute value to a person based on their size. We're all a work in progress, myself included!

I LOVE reading your comments and take your suggestions seriously. If there’s a subject you want me to discuss or something you’d like for me to react to, leave a comment down below. Many of my videos have been born out of suggestions directly from you, so don’t hold back!
-Doctor Mike Varshavski

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* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[peteypiranha]

I honestly can't believe there are people who think Mike is fatfobic. I rarely see people aproach this subject with so much sympathy and understanding.

[gayathribhukya]

as a therapist, i’d like to thank you for not shaming her. plus also talking about how a mental health specialist would’ve been useful in her case. you’re doing good work!!

[marrinf]

I’m tearing up watching Dr. Mike’s response to this. I’ve gained weight due to trauma. I wish every doctor was as empathetic and trauma informed as him.

[MarjolaineDaudrumez]

As a therapist I agree with everything you said about the way to deal with her behavior. They pushed her very hard and very fast without much compassion. I can see why she was resisting. Dr. Now is way to invested emotionally to continue treating her. You should never get to the point where you want to « win » against the patient.

[brokenglassshimmerlikestar]

A year ago I joined the gym and I've been losing weight. When my doctor saw that I lost more than 5 kilos (I'm a little overweight) she was very happy and put the progress in her notes. Weight loss is as much mental as it is physical and having a kind doctor who gives good advice is super helpful

[Meluvkatz]

I had a friend who was morbidly obese. She got that way after an abusive relationship decades previous. She was so traumatized by her situation, when she finally was out and safe, she overate. She didn't want to be attractive to a man fearing she would fall for the same type of man.

[alichehab]

The fact that this woman didn't give up even after her surgeon left her is a true strength of character! Huge props to her!

[SharitCreations]

I was 350 pounds and had bariatric surgery for health reasons. I was born with a s shaped spine. My weight caused extra pain. It controlled how mobile I was. That surgery changed my life. I am 132. I stay between 120 to 132 I do not let myself get near 140. Thank you for being so kind towards obese people. You are NOT a fat phobic not even close. Your very kind & considerate towards overweight/obese people. I thank your for that and I admire you for that as well.

[beccaboo]

I was 271 pounds at one point and going through classes for Bariatric Surgery. During those classes they asked we try and lose at least 10% of weight. I ended up weighing in at 215 at the end of those classes. Now as of today, I weigh 195 and I am still losing weight. I chose not to get the surgery, although it was the motivation I needed to start my weight loss journey. I have now started running as a hobby. Slow start to that hobby, started walking 1 minute, running 1.5 minutes (in increments). I am now up to running 4.5 minutes, walking 2 minutes. My goal is to run a 5K by the end of this year, 2022 😊

[tervetuloasuomeek]

I’m glad that you brought the psychological aspect aswell. Often we judge people very quickly, even tho we don’t what the person has experienced before the weight started to fold.

[CrystaJoy]

As a Psychiatrist, I am really surprised that a Physiatrist and Psychiatrist were not called in on her outpatient rehab. We usually have to come in with a mixture of mental health counseling along with treatments for mental health challenges like dysthymia that influence eating habits. Plus, when we use confrontational therapy, there is a “flow chart” in the care process. We also have a really high POSITIVE therapeutic relationship. This was done all wrong and that is why she is thriving under a different physician.

[Jpnotmyname]

Talking about health and uttering the phrase, "Can they afford to do this?", to my european mind is nuts.

[beew]

This made me emotional. It’s like that hostage experience is still holding her hostage. I’m so glad she got the surgery, and maybe therapy would help her realize that the last experience doesn’t deserve her entire future.

[mhqdzfz]

it is so sad that people are calling him “fatfobic” when he literally says don’t be quick to judge someone who is overweight. there is a deference between “being overweight is not healthy.” and calling people rude names and using put-downs.

[daiissu]

i love how brave marla was and now after losing 500+ pounds, she’s telling people to seek help for their issues and overcome problems with others. i’m so happy marla finally could move around and do things she couldn’t do before, and so happy that her life has changed for the better

[BecauseImGabbi]

so happy to hear another physician talk about how harsh Dr. Now can be! I think he's so unnecessarily nasty to his patients.

[joyfulinhope]

I’m completely floored by the level of compassion and understanding that Dr. Mike shows in these situations. My sister broke her leg recently (she’s about 400 lbs) and she kept going to this doctor after the break had healed, but she was still having trouble walking. He just told her it was because she was so overweight and told her to go on a diet. She finally went to a different doctor who ordered an MRI, and found out she has a broken hip and several torn tendons and ligaments. The accident she had was much more traumatic than the initial X-rays revealed and her pain was dismissed because of her weight.

[the_UF]

Thank you for never shaming people who clearly just have an issue they need to deal with. The reason why most addictions, like food, drugs, or smoking, get more powerful over people over time is the fact that shaming people for it makes them feel like worse of a person and causes them to surrender to their addiction even more because the world has convinced them that they'll never change, despite the fact they have the power to.

[EKSXXII]

The fact that Dr Mike is called “Fatphobic” is a joke. You can tell how extremely passionate he is about the quality of life and the health. I feel like if I were to go to him for a cold I would come out with 10 other Illnesses, that I didn’t even know I had, absolutely cured

300/10 dr Mike

[yamidelacroix]

She really pushed herself and you can see the difference not just physically but also mentally. She became much more happier and wanted to really go out there and do more. Great stuff.