Doctor Shares The Difficult Reality Behind 'My 600-lb Life' That Has Fans Torn
Her Moments Staff
It's no secret that reality TV stretches the truth, but no show deceives its viewers like My 600-lb Life. The TLC program seems willing to maintain its viewership at any cost, whether producers are making questionable backstage decisions or blatantly exploiting vulnerable families. Many cast members aren't so innocent either. While its biggest fans remain adamant that My 600-lb Life has helped a number of people, once you learn what's happening behind the scenes, it's hard to look at the show the same way ever again.
1. Invasive footage
Wanting to shock their audience into watching, My 600-lb Life offers participants money to include a scene of themselves bathing. Because of their size, the stars are often given sponge baths. Producers even dangled cash in front of Nicole Lewis so she’d show how her boyfriend helped her bathe outside.
2. Surprised by their weight
The physician on My 600-lb Life, Younan Nowzaradan (Dr. Now), is often the first person to tell a show participant their actual weight. Most at-home scales only measure someone’s weight if it's fewer than 300 pounds; Dr. Now’s in-office scale measures up to 900 pounds. And there's a big reason why Nowzaradan is at the center of the reality hit.
3. Show creator
Dr. Now’s son, Jonathan Nowzaradan, works for Megalomedia and is the driving force behind My 600-lb Life getting picked up by TLC. Jonathan filmed his dad while he treated Renee Williams, who weighed 800-lbs and was struggling to regain control of her life. Renee’s surgery, along with footage from a few other patients, became the first season of the show.
4. Dicey production company
As of 2020, Meglomedia, the show’s production company, has been sued by 10 cast members. Several of the suits arose because the show refused to pay for their weight loss surgery, only to renege on their word. The company allegedly claimed if they didn’t like the surgery footage, they wouldn’t pay their stars.
5. Unearthing trauma
The subjects of My 600-lb Life suffer from an addiction to eating, which can be linked to horrific abuse in many cases. Ashley Reyes, for instance, explained that her childhood trauma made her feel so belittled and scared that she relied on food for support. “So, I would eat to gain back whatever little happiness I could,” she said. But rather than healing that trauma, producers make cast members expose their inner demons in gut-wrenching ways.
6. Rough filming
The film crew isn’t known for respecting participants’ limits. It’s “so exhausting to the point that there are days that I don’t even want to film,” Steven said. “And I try to avoid being filmed, but the camera crew — especially one of them in particular — is so persistent that he will continue to knock on the door, and knock on the door.”
7. Featuring their relationships
Even though their weight may severely impact their lifestyle, many My 600-lb Life stars are in relationships. If they successfully shed their weight, however, these romances can fall apart. Some cast members found that their significant others were only with them because of their larger sizes. From time to time, they actually discourage the stars from losing weight!
8. Dangerous surgeries
Some of the surgeries Dr. Now performs are considered incredibly risky by other doctors. Though his patients often lose weight due to bariatric surgeries and other procedures, they’re still considered high-risk. Getting on My 600-lb Life is sometimes a last resort for some participants since they’re turned down by other doctors.
9. Medical procedures
Besides getting bariatric surgery, a high percentage of participants also get other medical procedures on-camera. Ashley Dunn Bratcher had her gallbladder removed. Other patients underwent skin removal procedures to improve their post-weight loss mobility — when they lost weight, their skin couldn’t shrink enough to fit their smaller frames.
10. Enablers ruining results
The medical professionals on my 600-lb Life have their hands full with more than just patients. When someone falls victim to active addiction, there’s normally an enabler who's knowingly or unknowingly sabotaging their recovery. From undermining healthier habits to showering their loved ones with the unhealthy foods they’re addicted to, enablers can ruin any progress.
11. Not always uplifting
The decision to make a major lifestyle change isn’t for everyone. Some of the people on My 600-lb Life have no interest in improving their health. James King was famous for gaining 150 pounds, being a horrible person to his loved ones, and getting kicked off the show.
12. Unusual employment
There are a variety of ways My 600-lb Life show guests support themselves financially. Penny Saeger sells jewelry and works with her friend’s business. Other participants, like Zsalynn Whitworth, sell lewd pictures to adult websites, which was how Zsalynn met her ex-husband.
13. Poor living situation
Because of their mobility issues, the guests on My 600-lb Life can be living in unsanitary environments. A camera operator witnessed a home filled with cockroaches and other pests. The family didn’t clean up after their pets either, so their home was covered with dog waste.
14. Using their celebrity
Being on My 600-lb Life gives participants a taste of fame, and some have monetized their celebrity. Steven Assanti, created his own YouTube channel filled with unnerving videos, and he now films Cameos too. Pauline Potter landed herself a guest spot on Dr. Phil with the claim that she was the Guinness Book of World Records’ “Heaviest woman living.”
15. Bariatric surgery expectations
When a show guest receives bariatric surgery, they can sometimes have unrealistic expectations about the medical procedure. The surgery itself doesn’t make them lose weight — they still need to create physical habits and learn how to have a healthy relationship with food. It’s a long process.
16. Filming during COVID-19
In early 2020, the CDC created guidelines to help keep Americans from catching COVID-19. Their restrictions made a variety of shows stop filming. Ironically, My 600-lb Life didn’t listen and continued shooting into March 2020. Because it's a medical show with high-risk patients, this stands out as an extra-terrible decision.
17. Public harassment
The show exploits obese individuals with few options by tempting them with money — at the expense of their privacy and emotional well-being. “I went from no one knowing I existed to being harassed all day on social media, my business, and phone calls. I wouldn’t do it again,” Justin McSwain said.
18. Adding therapy
In recent seasons of My 600-lb Life, therapy has become a major part of participants’ recovery. Counselors like Dr. Lola Clay help participants address the reasons for their weight gain, which is often linked to the management of past trauma. With their help, people on the show are more likely to keep their new healthy habits. Still, not every doctor on the show has a spotless record.
19. Suing the doctor
Like Megalomedia, Dr. Now has also been sued by patients. One show guest’s case claimed Dr. Now left a tube inside of her during an operation. Another person, Colleen Shepherd, sued on behalf of her dead daughter. Colleen claimed Dr. Now and the medical team didn’t adequately provide post-surgery care.
20. Other medical conditions
Because of the impact their weight has on their general health, many participants suffer from other dangerous medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Tracey Matthews had lymphedema, a build-up of lymph fluid, which put her at risk for lymphangiosarcoma. This illness can kill someone in just a few months.
21. Coaching
My 600-lb Life isn't about showing real people either. If there isn’t a script, there is a coach. TLC shows are guilty of giving “roles” to their talent, even if they don't make sense. Reality TV showing real people? Nah. We want to see people pretending to be the “bitchy” sister or the “mean” boyfriend… right? TLC borrows a ton of tricks from similar reality programming too.
22. Mixed-Up Words
Producers will twist contestants' words to make them sound like they've said something that they 100% did not say. They'll put ideas in their heads with calculated questions, then ask contestants to respond in a complete sentence. You know, to make editing easier. Editing lies.
23. American Anti-Idol
It's well-known that American Idol hand-selects contestants for the judges to critique. Yes — every single contestant. Even the bad ones. All those cringe-worthy scenes of terrible singers? Producers make sure those happen. Where do you think all that sad story footage comes from?
24. Loose Scripts
Jersey Shore was one of many shows exposed for having a "loose script," which is basically a run-down of the scenes prepared ahead-of-time. Who was talking, who was fighting, who was crying — all planned. We're slightly more relieved for mankind.
25. False Reactions
If you're ever on a reality show, make sure to keep all your reactions low-key. Otherwise, they may be used to express feelings you didn't really have. Your big laugh at a funny joke may be used to react to a fellow contestant's embarrassing moment!
26. Food Temperature
Ever wonder how long it takes for judges on cooking shows to actually eat the food the contestants prepare? If you’ve been concerned about steak getting cold while photos are snapped, you’re not alone. On Top Chef, Tom Colicchio insisted that cooks make two dishes to avoid this kitchen no-no.
27. Survivor Is REAL
Can’t figure out how Survivor could fake all those disgusting, dangerous stunts? That’s because they don’t! Thank goodness there’s at least one show doing it right. Yes, they have to film the contestants’ arrivals a few times over, but who doesn’t love a good entrance?
28. Get 'Em Wasted
Producers will actually get contestants drunk or high for dramatic TV. Seem illegal? Well, it used to be much easier to than it is now. Watch an old episode of any MTV reality show and it'll be pretty obvious. Is this really what makes good TV?
29. No Sleep Or Food
Another creepy producer trick is starving contestants and depriving them of sleep. This is often used in romance or cooking shows where contestants have to stand around for hours. Tension needs to run high to get those dramatic rose-throwing and cake-spilling moments.
30. Gordon's Secret
Gordon fakes pretty much his entire schtick. Sorry, folks, but he's a nice guy with a mean exterior, not the other way around. At least, that's what people say. All those surprised dinner guests on his show? Usually friends and family of the crew who know that's not the real Gordon.
31. Producing Rumors
Again with the producer drama! Even favorites like RuPaul’s Drag Race have been accused of forcing rumors among contestants. Honestly, we’d love to see what these shows look like without all the bull.
32. Fake Bouncing
Bouncers at real locations are told what kind of drama to expect ahead of time. If they didn't, imagine the potential damage! These two are going to fight, this one’s going to punch this one, and you guys are going to pretend to kick them out. Cool? Please don't sue us.
33. Soft Scripts
The difference between a "loose script" and "soft script" comes down to the specific topics being discussed. On The Hills, for example, stars were told what to talk about in order to avoid hours of silence and awkward conversation. This we can understand, but there’s still something weird about it.
34. Not Total Divas
On the other hand, some shows are straight-up, full-on scripted. This goes for Total Divas, a show with an entirely predetermined storyline and script. With a writing team on their side, no wonder things got so out of control!
35. Bad Interventions
How helpful can Intervention really be if addicts are asked to buy their drugs for the camera? Yep, that’s how low these producers go. People are even asked to get in fights with their friends and family! Wait a minute… isn’t the “surprise element” the whole point of an intervention?
36. No Judgement
Don’t tell your grandma, but the participants on shows like Judge Judy and People’s Court are not actually receiving sentences. In fact, each party is promised a settlement amount ahead of time! They’re just volunteering to scream at each other for your grandma’s viewing pleasure.
37. Surprise Ingredients
Wow, those cooking show contestants really knew how to incorporate that "surprise" rare spice from Tanzania! That’s because they weren’t actually surprised. Contestants are told exactly what surprise elements await them ahead of time to avoid tears and breakdowns.
38. Paid Actors
The show Family Jewels with Gene Simmons was entirely scripted and filled with paid actors. Every single person the family interacted with was fake. What can we say? Big stars like that don’t want to risk having their reputations ruined.
39. Man Vs. Lawsuit
Man Vs. Food was a death sentence waiting to happen. Adam Richmond often got terribly sick from eating the bizarre foods his producers put in front of him. Eventually, the show went from Adam giving himself food poisoning to Adam coaching others in eating competitions… and giving themselves food poisoning.
40. America's Got Lies
Maybe America has some talent, but not the way we see it on America's Got Talent. Contestants don’t stand a chance at winning because the losers have already been slated. Contestants sing what they’re told, agree to a fake backstory, and accept their losses. Fun.
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