Successful ‘My 600-Lb. Life’ Cast Members Forced Into Surgery?

My 600-Lb. Life from TLC

Although My 600-Lb. Life is one of TLC’s most popular shows, it’s not without some controversy. Over the years, several former participants filed lawsuits against the program. These lawsuits allege a wide variety of things — but most allege that the production crew doesn’t always act with the guest’s best interests in mind.

Now, one user on Reddit thread seems to believe that some of the show’s participants don’t seem to even need surgery. Could it be possible that My 600-Lb. Life encourages surgery, even when it’s not always needed? Keep reading to see what Reddit users are saying.

My 600-Lb. Life encourages all the guests to get surgery — but why?

In each episode of My 600-Lb. Life, the end goal is for each guest to lose enough weight to qualify for bariatric surgery. Not everyone gets there, though. But is the survey even necessary to begin with?

“Is the weight loss surgery even worth it?” the original Reddit user wondered. “I’ve noticed that the patients usually lose more weight on their own monthly than with the surgery. Is that usually the case? I think Dr. Now usually says after the surgery they should be losing 25lbs a month, but the goals he gives them beforehand are usually much bigger (granted, they have more to lose at that point and it comes off faster).”

“But for so many of them, they don’t lose any after the surgery or they start gaining,” OP continued. “It just seems like they could be losing at that rate on their own, without having to go through surgery. Especially when you consider they have to be on a diet even after the surgery, so what’s the actual benefit?”

My 600-Lb. Life/TLC

However, a lot of other users argued that surgery is just another tool to help the participants. But it’s up to the My 600-Lb. Life guest to use the tool properly.

“The surgery is just an additional tool to keep the weight off. Immediately after the surgery, the patient can’t eat much, so the weight seems to fall off. However it’s 100% the patients’ job to keep up with the healthy lifestyle,” replied one user. “I think it’s worth it in some cases where the weight needs to come off quicker. But it’s not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle and it’s not a short cut.”

Reddit users acknowledge it may be a case by case basis

In the thread, some Reddit users admitted they had bariatric surgery too. Many agreed that the surgery does work — but only if you’re willing to keep up with the healthy lifestyle changes. At the end of the day, many users also agree that all bodies are different. Some of the guests on My 600-Lb. Life may be able to lose all the weight on their own, while others may really need the surgery.

Do you think it’s possible the show tries to talk people into bariatric surgery, even if they don’t need it? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.

 

Nikole Behrens
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One Comment

  1. The thing is they’re addicted to food it’s hard to lose the weight before hand and if they don’t have surgery they will definitely start gaining again. I know I had my stomach stapled years ago. I didn’t have a great doctor like Dr Now.to help me.and I’ve gained 90 lbs. Back and now I can’t lose it. Wishing I could.

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