Cynthia Wells became known around the world in 2016, at which point she was featured in the fifth season of TLC’s hit reality TV series entitled “My 600-lb Life.” At the time of her appearance, Cynthia weighed a mind-boggling 610lbs (277kgs).

Her massively excess weight posed significant challenges in even the most basic day-to-day activities, made all the worse by the fact that she was raising a young daughter who required her mother to be present in matters of great importance to her, such as school activities and other events.

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Escaping a living hell

Just how bad the situation had been was well summarized in the video by TLC entitled “This Mom’s Motivation for Weight Loss: Getting To Watch Her Daughter Dance.” With over 700,000 views, this footage illustrates just how defeated Cynthia must’ve felt pretty much every single day upon having to refuse attendance at her daughter’s performances.

Her 11-year-old daughter Ukiah is seen talking about the upcoming dance class that had her pretty excited. However, her face filled with disappointment as her mother explained that she would try to watch her that day, without any guarantees that she would actually be able to enter the building and walk to where she needs to sit, as even that is a rather grueling endeavor considering Cynthia’s weight.

They also briefly mention an upcoming dance festival, which her daughter had been frequenting for a few years. Cynthia explained that it would probably have to be like last time, in which case she would just drop Ukiah off and let her have fun, all the while waiting in the car or even driving back home until it’s time to pick her up, as walking around the festival grounds is simply too much effort for her ailing body.

Wells began explaining to the camera crew just how devastating her condition was, as it pretty much rendered her unable to attend most of her daughter’s events during her upbringing. She admitted that a parent simply has to be around to watch their child grow, as it was both their duty and joy to see the life they brought into the world flourish.

Cynthia said she was sure that her daughter performs admirably, but lamented being unable to see her do so, and stated that observing a simple dance session is definitely something any mother should be able to accomplish. This is potentially the leading reason for Cynthia’s accession to the show, and desire to fundamentally change her life, as it was evident during her admission that she began crying while reflecting upon her lack of motherly duties.

She was seen moving around with a walking stick, watching her daughter rehearse through a window from the outside with tears in her eyes, while Ukiah proceeded as normal, unaware of her mother’s presence. This seemed to be the breaking point for the ailing mother.

Cynthia moved away from the window and began crying even harder, explaining that she had never seen her daughter dance, in spite of the fact that she had been attending dance classes since kindergarten. Wells admitted to recognizing the fact that she was harming her family just as much as herself, simply by holding them back from their true potential, as her debilitating condition required constant care and attention.

She also pointed out the fact that not one of her household members has anything negative to say about the extra effort they have to put in every day, just to help Cynthia live a semblance of a normal life, but that she herself was sick and tired of it, ready for the massive change that participating in TLC’s hit TV series would eventually bring.

A loving 11-year-old daughter’s sacrifice

In yet another hard-to-watch video of Cynthia, recorded prior to the appropriate medical intervention she received throughout the year of her episode, she is seen detailing the daily and weekly obligations of her little daughter, without which she could possibly even have died in the long run.

One of the most unappealing tasks that Ukiah had to undertake was to wipe the many folds in her naked mother’s skin after she takes a shower, as they are pressed together so tightly by the drooping weight of Cynthia’s body that water is unable to reach their airtight middle.

To have this accomplished, Wells lays down on the bed mostly naked, with only a towel covering her torso, while Ukiah proceeds to stick a wet piece of cloth in each and every fold, hydrating the skin and wiping off any excess bacteria that may have begun to fester, as such instances are fairly common among overweight individuals, generally brought on by the constant rubbing and chafing of skin folds against one another.

One common skin condition that occurs in people like Cynthia is intertrigo, which can appear in any skin areas that are in close contact with each other and are often moist, such as skin folds. According to Cleveland Clinic, intertrigo usually occurs in the crease of the neck, armpits, beneath or between breasts, and between belly folds and buttocks.

When skin folds are moist and warm, they create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which can lead to infections. Obesity increases the risk of skin issues in adults due to impaired mobility, excessive adipose tissue, skin folds, and malnourishment. Excessive adipose tissue has a poor blood supply, causing a general lack of oxygen in the area, which can severely impact the speed at which wounds heal.

This means that if a person with obesity gets an infection in their skin folds, it may take longer to heal, and even cause much more serious complications down the line if left untreated. In the case of many people like Cynthia, such infections can be hard to notice if they don’t have someone like Ukiah taking proper care of the many areas of skin that they’re normally unable to reach.

Wells herself explains in the video that her arms are simply too short to allow her to take care of most of her lower body, requiring her little daughter to do the work instead. Aside from this rather common and generally harmless condition, Ukiah’s aid to her mother pretty much keeps the home tragedy-free, as way more complicated medical issues tend to emerge on the skin of obese individuals without proper care.

People with excess weight are at a higher risk of skin infections such as candidiasis, folliculitis, erythrasma, tinea cruris, and furunculosis as a result of obesity, and comorbid conditions such as diabetes and impaired circulation. These infections often occur in and around skin folds of the lower genital region and around the breasts. Furthermore, the physiology of the skin changes in obese individuals, which may lead to a thickened layer of subcutaneous fat, larger skin folds, and hyperhidrosis.

Cynthia described her daughter as a grown woman in a child’s body, referring to just how responsible she is in taking care of her mother. Indeed, in the video, it seems that Ukiah is the woman of the house, taking on most of the daily chores, which only serve to worsen the overall guilt-ridden mental state of her mother.

The cause of Cynthia’s downfall

There are a myriad of reasons why people may turn to overeating and become obese, when faced with difficult life circumstances. While it’s generally easy to assume that over-eating stems purely from a lack of self-control or a lack of willpower, the truth is far more complicated. Psychological and emotional factors, in addition to physical ones, play a significant role in the development of obesity as severe as the case of Wells.

Regarding Cynthia’s particular situation, emotional eating is a common phenomenon that often involves ingesting vast amounts of food, especially of the unhealthy type, which draws on more dopamine but incurs significant issues over time, to distract oneself from feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress.

When facing difficulties in life, many people may turn to food as a means of coping with these negative emotions. Consuming unhealthy products can provide a temporary sense of pleasure and satisfaction that often helps dull the pain of difficult experiences. Over time, this behavior tends to become habitual, and lead to excessive weight gain.

Cynthia’s problem also stemmed from the wallet, as for many people living in low-income areas, access to fresh fruits and vegetables can be limited or non-existent, and processed or high-calorie foods may be more readily available and affordable.

Finally, there’s the issue of inherited traits. In addition to these psychological and physical factors, genetics and physiology can also play a role in the development of obesity. Studies have shown that certain genetic factors can make some individuals more susceptible to obesity than others. Additionally, hormonal imbalances and metabolic disorders can also contribute to weight gain and further related complications.

As she mentioned in the video, Wells was teased at school due to her size, and it didn’t help that her parents failed to act appropriately and prevent their daughter’s further weight gain. As a result, Cynthia grew up almost immobilized by all the stacked-up excess calories, making her eat for emotional comfort in even greater quantities.

Another factor was that with two children of her own, Cynthia had become a single mother of five when she ended up needing to also take on her sister’s children following their mother’s passing, who were either to be left with their abusive father or Wells herself.

😨📺💰😊PHOTOS MY 600 LB LIFE Cynthia Wells today: 'Feels like a failure,' has 'lost all motivation' to keep losing weight -🐧 https://t.co/w1JWovJyrQ https://t.co/OlAfmGmEg1 via @starcasm

— Judy g. armes (@judy_armes) July 12, 2019

The long-awaited change

Upon consulting with the show’s resident bariatric surgeon Dr. ‘Now’ Nowzaradan, who is one of the world’s most renowned experts in the field of weight-related medicine, she took on the difficult task of sticking to a very strict diet, so as to ultimately be able to undergo life-changing surgery that would likely fix most of her issues.

Cynthia did everything in her power to stay off the high-calorie snacks and processed foods that bloated her to that weight in the first place, using her children as inspiration for what would probably be the hardest thing she had ever done up to that point. After mostly sticking to the plan for a while, she had attained the physical specifications required for the planned medical procedure.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though, since Dr. Nowzaradan is famous for his harsh and strict ethics when it comes to dealing with patients, causing him to not cede any ground to Cynthia in their regular conversations about her eating regimes. Wells found this aspect of participating in the TV series to be the most difficult one to handle, almost dropping out of the program altogether.

She did, however, manage to push through, and had eventually get Now’s green light for the medical procedure Cynthia awaited pretty much her entire life. Gastric sleeve surgery, which she received, involves removing most of the stomach, even up to 80%, and replacing it with a tube-like structure that resembles a banana in shape and size.

After a brief healing process, this object becomes the patient’s new stomach, able to take a lot less food than its biological counterpart, in turn causing the person having it to feel full after eating much less, and even sick to the point of vomiting if they don’t stop eating.

It’s worth noting that, in spite of Cynthia’s best efforts, this type of surgery is the last resort for doctors like Now, undertaken when there’s simply no hope for any other, less invasive solution. Regardless of that, the medical procedure did the trick, and Wells ended her year-long episode filming at over 150lbs (68kgs) less than she started with.

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However, that seemed to be only the beginning of her transformation, as she was then able to follow even stricter diets and ultimately drop yet another 150lbs (68kgs) since leaving the show, and it’s believed that she won’t stop working on her weight until she’s reached a very satisfactory scale digit, consistent with what is considered healthy for her height.

Looper has reported that Cynthia regularly updates her Facebook page with fresh selfies, which display an almost unbelievable change in weight, and that there’s no sign of her wishing to stop anytime soon. Being among some of the most fascinating success stories that originated from “My 600-lb Life,” Cynthia Wells is sure to be remembered by many.

Matt and Zach Roloff’s names rang out through the world on 4 March 2006, upon the release of one of TLC’s most popular TV series, with a rather unusual premise. Situated on a 34-acre pumpkin farm in the vicinity of Portland, Oregon USA, Matt and Amy Roloff, both of whom have dwarfism, struggle to live as regular-sized individuals while raising four children, of whom only one suffers from their condition. Created by Gay Rosenthal Productions, the show is appropriately entitled “Little People, Big World.”

As is customary for the vast majority of TLC’s biggest titles, these ‘little people’ also have big problems between one another, with the episodes displaying increasingly more conflict over the years, throughout the series’ 24 seasons by early 2023.

Some of the biggest arguments in the show’s history took place between the parents and children, especially Matt and Zach – the only two men with dwarfism on the entirety of the property. Their conflict is the culmination of several controversial events that have over the years come together to tear up the near-flawless family image that the series’ producers had spent a long time creating.

The big story of little people

The series began as a one-hour special entitled “Little People, Big Dreams,” featuring the whole family, who ranged in age from early teens to mid-twenties. The special was well-received by viewers and TLC executives, and it was decided that the family would be given their own show. The first season promptly followed, with all of its 20 episodes achieving significant ratings.

One of the greatest selling points of the series is that it offers a unique perspective on farming life. While there are many families in the US living off the land, few of them have ever seen people with dwarfism dealing with the exact same challenges, which in a great many cases, require physical fortitude and stamina. This has made the Roloffs stand out from the crowd, and has given their fans a fresh and interesting look at what it means to run a farm.

Another reason for the show’s success is the Roloff family’s relatability. Despite their physical differences, they face many of the same challenges and joys as any other family. The audiences have been able to see the Roloffs navigate everything from divorce and family drama to raising children and running a business. The family’s willingness to be vulnerable and share their struggles has endeared them to viewers, and helped build a loyal fanbase that has stuck with them ever since the show’s inception.

But the success of “Little People, Big World” isn’t just about the Roloff family’s unique circumstances – it’s also about the show’s ability to capture the magic of farm life. From pumpkin patches to hayrides, the series has highlighted the beauty and fun of rural living, inspiring many viewers to seek out similar experiences for themselves.

This has helped the show become more than just a reality TV title – it’s a lifestyle brand, with fans eager to visit the Roloff Farms and participate in the family’s various enterprises. On top of that, it’s reinforced many conservative living ideals, bringing many closer to buying up their own land to embark on a similar journey.

Of course, every bright story also has a dark side, and the Roloffs are no exception. In recent years, the family has been plagued by rumors of feuds and infighting, with some family members choosing to step away from the show altogether. Such arguments have been building up over time to slowly dismantle the idyllic view that the show had struggled to build throughout its duration.

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A big world in massive turmoil

One of the biggest bombshells that almost destroyed the entire Roloff brand was definitely Jacob Roloff’s heartfelt and rather shocking admission of being sexually abused by one of the producers of the TV series.

In an article by today.com, it’s revealed through the statement that Jacob posted on Instagram that he was molested as a child, the admission of which was prompted by the guilty party messaging him again in November 2015, a number of years after the abuse stopped. Being the youngest child of Matt and Amy, and also born without dwarfism, Jacob has stood out over the entire course of the show, but not only due to those factors, as he was also an unusual child.

As he himself has revealed in December 2017, it looks like part of the reason for his strangeness early on was forcefully induced by the series’ executive field producer named Chris Cardamone, who Jacob said sexually abused him in his early years.

While many expected to hear at least some level of detail pertaining to the situations alleged in Jacob’s Instagram post, he strictly specified that he wouldn’t be obliging this request, and instead simply chose to talk about the impact of the event, and the way fame and the entertainment business influence people all around the world, especially children.

He began by explaining that things are often much easier to reflect upon than actually utter or even type out on the internet, stating this difficulty as the reason why he took so long to come forward with these allegations.

The most detail that Jacob went into in his post was saying that what was done to him ‘was a long grooming process.’ Fortunately for the Roloff family, he blames none of the members, apparently because it was so secretive that none of them could’ve known. It begs the question, however, as to how involved the parents really were in their children’s upbringing if they had missed something so crucial to their child’s development.

The main reason for Jacob divulging this information was not to exact vengeance for what was done to him, but simply unburden his mind that had remained rather too heavy over the years, with the words he never before dared to share, especially publicly.

He also wanted to divert attention to the fact that there are probably many victims of sexual assault who hadn’t yet spoken up, for fear of being misunderstood, disbelieved, or even ridiculed. He noted that this would especially be the case for children like him, who grew up in the limelight, and whose fame depended upon the show going on no matter what.

Things took an interesting turn in Jacob’s post when he began describing the industry his family succeeded in as relying on ‘vouyeurism,’ stating that the whole gist of such thousands upon thousands of series is built upon ‘a massive spectacle of drama and pain and argument and invasion, with a little joy sprinkled over.’

Furthermore, he put a lot of the blame for the way things in the industry are on the viewers themselves, exclaiming that they view all of the aforementioned without any empathy or regard for the participants.

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Having said that, Jacob also mentioned that there’s no real correlation between being involved in show business and suffering trauma as a child, thus refusing to attribute the blame for what he went through to anyone other than the individual mentioned at the start of the post.

He went as far as to ask whether the effects of reality TV on the viewers and cast members should be studied by a scientific community, so as to find some sort of method to the madness, implying that show business might after all be poisoned by rather unhealthy mindsets.

Lastly, Jacob ended the post in a compassionate and positive manner, stating certainty in the hope that he has revealed this to the world for his own, and then everyone else’s betterment. He made a point not to blame anyone in the family, and that he will forever stand with the silent survivors of abuse.

The big split of the original little people

The Roloff family would never have got anywhere, especially in the world of show business, without their two most important members who started it all, whom are of course Matt and Amy. In spite of their massive success, however, it seems that they drifted apart over the years, with their marriage left in tatters by what many often describe as the weight of fame.

After being married for nearly three decades, the two called it quits in 2016, and their split has been the subject of much speculation ever since. With many fans preferring Matt over Amy, and vice versa, their split also caused one among viewers.

According to various sources, the reason for their divorce was a combination of factors, including infidelity, financial disagreements, and incompatible lifestyles. While both parties have remained relatively tight-lipped about the specifics of their breakup, several incidents have shed some light on what may have gone wrong.

One of the most significant factors in their split was likely Matt’s relationship with Caryn Chandler, who was the family’s farm manager. According to Amy’s book “A Little Me,” she alleged that Matt was more than friends with Caryn while they were still married. This claim has been denied by Matt and Caryn, but it’s clear that Amy was hurt by the relationship, which she felt was a betrayal.

Another issue that likely contributed to the divorce was the use of available funds. Matt’s overall straightforwardness and speed in making business decisions without regard for most others could be distressing for those around him, and his interactions with Amy over various monetary choices were less than pleasant. This caused tension in their relationship, which was further exacerbated by the fact that they had different spending habits.

In addition, the couple had vastly differing views of what a fulfilling life is. Amy has stated that she wanted to stay in the family home after the divorce, while Matt wanted to move on and build a new home on the farm. This disagreement over where to live and how to move forward likely put further strain on their already fragile relationship.

Despite the pain and heartbreak of their divorce, the circumstances of which remain unclear, both Amy and Matt have found happiness in new relationships. Matt is now with Caryn, while Amy became engaged to Chris Marek, whom she married in 2021.

The epic battle for the farm

The Roloff family’s farm has been at the center of a long-standing feud between father and son, Matt and Zach Roloff. Their subsequently 109-acre pumpkin farm was turned into a veritable money-churning machine over the years, with its land value skyrocketing due to the show’s popularity.

The drama began after Matt and Amy’s divorce, when Matt decided to sell his portion of the farm. Zach and his wife Tori weren’t happy with the decision, claiming that the farm was no longer the enjoyable place it used to be. Zach hoped to buy the north side of the farm that his mother had sold to Matt, but the deal fell apart, leading to a falling out between father and son.

The tension between the two only escalated as Matt announced plans to sell 16 acres of the farm for $4 million. Zach was hurt and frustrated, feeling that he wasn’t being given a fair chance to buy the property. The feud was further amplified when Caryn Chandler, Matt’s girlfriend, was accused of pushing Matt to kill Zach’s property deal.

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Despite the heated argument, Matt said during the season 22 finale that selling the farm to Zach was not entirely out of the question, but noted that he was unsure whether it was going to occur. The many arguments regarding this issue had all played out in the show, which only further infuriated Zach.

With a lot of back and forth going on over the fate of Matt’s section of the farm, it seems that in the most recent (24^th) season the final resolution of this issue is still up in the air, as he and Matt hadn’t managed to reach a mutually satisfactory deal.

As it stands, at least until the next season is released, Matt was impacted by his father’s death in July of 2022, and is unwilling to consider any changes to the plans he already has in place for his piece of the property, which he currently uses for short-term renting. This is better than selling it to someone else at least, and so Zach has maintained some sort of a relationship with him. It remains to be seen whether Zach’s patience and Matt’s ultimate reluctance to sell his piece to the highest bidder will have a fruitful final outcome.

Born in 1986, into a troubled family in West Texas USA, Susan Farmer spent most of her life in the shadows of a home which she barely ever left, staying there with her mother who would constantly bring her food. Living without exercise for her entire childhood and adolescence on a rather unhealthy diet, her weight became a very worrying factor over many years of physical inactivity.

Susan began moving again somewhat, after reaching the limelight at the age of 37 in 2013, when she was discovered by the producers of TLC’s “My 600-lb Life”, and promptly invited into the show, as she weighed a staggering 607lbs (275kgs) at the time.

She was featured in the third season of the series, and like any other participants in the show, had to face the reality of her situation before anything was done to improve it. In Susan’s case, these moments of self-awareness would often come with great hostility towards the situation, which made her quite excitable throughout her time in the show.

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An unconventional franchise

“My 600-lb Life” is a reality TV series that has been airing on the TLC network since 2012, following the lives of morbidly obese individuals, as they attempt to lose weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle. The show has become a popular hit among viewers, with its dramatic stories of weight loss struggles, both triumphs and failures. It was created by Jeff VanVonderen, a well-known interventionist, who previously worked on the hit show “Intervention.”

The series’ premise is simple: each episode focuses on a person who weighs at least 600lbs (272kgs) at the beginning of the episode, and follows their progress as they attempt to lose weight over the course of a year.

The show documents the individuals’ daily struggles, including their emotional and physical journeys, as they work towards their weight goal. It’s generally an emotional rollercoaster for both the audience and the participants, with both successes and setbacks along the way.

“My 600-lb Life” has been a successful series for TLC, with over 100 episodes to date, and has spawned several spin-off shows, including “Where Are They Now?” and “My 600-lb Life: Skin Tight.” The franchise has garnered a large following thanks to being praised for its portrayal of obesity, and the dangers and struggles that come with it.

Of course, the series has also had its share of criticism and controversy, as not everyone is so sure that they showcase morbidly obese people only with the purest of intentions. Some viewers have criticized the show for its perceived exploitation of the participants, and have accused it of sensationalizing obesity for the sake of ratings.

Others have raised concerns about the show’s approach to weight loss, arguing that it promotes unhealthy and unsustainable practices. There is also the fact that, more often than not, the participants simply end up undergoing rather costly medical procedures to finally solve a major part of their weight issue, which isn’t a luxury that most viewers with similar stories can afford.

Despite these issues, “My 600-lb Life” has remained a popular and influential show, inspiring many people to take control of their own health, and make positive changes in their lives throughout its 11 years of airing thus far. It has also helped to raise awareness about the dangers of obesity, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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One of the most popular success stories from the show is Milla Clark, who starred in the fourth season from an unbelievable 750lbs (340kgs). Although not many viewers believed that much could be done for Milla, since it’s a miracle she even survived long enough to weigh that much, she managed to lose over 445lbs (200kgs).

Yet another is Sarah Neeley, who began her weight loss journey at a peak weight of over 640lbs (291kgs), and faced numerous obstacles along the way, including struggles with mental health and addiction. However, with the help of Dr. Younan ‘Now’ Nowzaradan, a bariatric surgeon who features prominently in the show, she was able to lose over 400lbs, and has since become an advocate for both weight loss and mental health.

At the end of the day, “My 600-lb Life” has become a cultural phenomenon that has definitely helped shed light on the difficulties faced by those who struggle with obesity. While it hasn’t been without its controversies, the show has inspired countless viewers to make positive changes in their lives, providing a platform for important discussions about health, wellness, and body positivity.

Susan’s 607-lb life

Susan Farmer’s episode starts with shots of her modest home in Eddy, Texas, in which she appears to not even be able to get out of bed without serious effort. Her opening statement is that ‘It’s a lot harder to change than you ever realize. You just have to hope it’s not too late, and try as hard as you can to do it.’

After finally placing her feet on the ground in front of the bed, following numerous failed attempts at swinging her bottom half over towards the floor, Susan stated ‘Life is miserable. I hurt all the time, ‘cause I don’t get up much.’

She proceeded to explain that carrying all that weight around poses quite a few challenges, asserting ‘With me having this big stomach, it falls on me so bad, and it feels like my skin is on fire, and that it’s just gonna melt.’

While this certainly must be excruciating to handle on a day-to-day basis, it’s also factual that the average adult human’s skin and bones aren’t built for supporting weight seven times greater than the healthy average. As Susan’s skin was spreading to the point of almost bursting whenever she took a walk, performing even the most ordinary actions around her home proved to be a horrifying endeavor.

She also said ‘I have trouble breathing, especially when I’m walking. I have to take baby steps because I’m afraid of falling, ‘cause if I fell, there’s nothing anybody can do for me.’ This admission refers to the fact that it takes an incredible amount of strength to keep yourself up at that weight, while there are also other factors, such as weight-induced health conditions.

One of the better-known issues of overly large individuals is called obesity hypoventilation syndrome. It’s a breathing disorder that occurs in those who have difficulty breathing deeply and rapidly enough to supply sufficient oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from their bodies, potentially causing serious consequences when unattended.

It’s estimated that around 10% to 20% of obese adults will develop this condition, with its long-term effects having the capability for devastating results. Essentially, a person with breathing difficulties finds it hard to supplement the CO2 in their blood with oxygen, which over time poisons the internal organs. Eventually, this leads to heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and ultimately death.

On top of that, even without particular health conditions, Susan’s muscles require an immense amount of blood supply just to keep her in motion, which in and of itself causes her to be out of breath most of the time. Lastly, proper blood flow is made a lot harder to maintain by the excess buildup of fat around her heart.

The camera crew follows her to the bathroom, in what can only be described as an act of great bravery by Susan herself, while the audience was simply left stumped. Farmer begins to fully undress herself in front of the camera and proceed to take a bath, with everything but her privates on full display for the world to see.

This sequence is followed by Susan saying ‘I don’t like looking at myself. So, I don’t look at myself in the mirror. To me, I’m fat and ugly.’ A shocking scene then takes place, in which Susan is seen entering a disproportionately small bathtub, with her belly fat hanging between her legs and bulging downwards from the pressure of her overgrown thighs, thus forming a ball right underneath her crotch.

It becomes evident upon witnessing this that even something as simple as washing oneself is a true ordeal for Susan, who with great fear and sorrow looked into the camera lens and said ‘All I see is a fat glob,’ as tears welled up in her eyes, and she began to sniffle.

That was the condition in which Susan entered the series, with not many believing that she could ever accomplish a significant change in weight, as most people would’ve given up on life by that point. However, this didn’t end up being the case for Susan, who was actually determined to show the world and herself that change is indeed possible.

As tends to be done in some of the most severe cases of obesity, Farmer had to skip any nutrition plans meant to gradually induce weight loss, as her health was already being severely impaired by her condition. Therefore, instead of counseling, she was immediately sent to the aforementioned bariatric professional, so as to undergo gastric bypass surgery.

Bariatric surgeons such as Dr. Now specialize in removing excess weight from a person, by either straight up cutting it out of them, or performing other gastrointestinal modifications that would encourage weight loss.

Gastric bypass surgery is one such procedure, in which the stomach and small intestine are modified so as to prevent massive calorie absorption. The stomach is split into two parts – the smaller pouch on top, and the larger one on the bottom, whereby the upper is connected to the rerouted small intestine, pretty much cutting off about 60% of the digestive system.

In this way, the patient is made to feel full much sooner than they normally would, which makes them want to eat a lot less. However, because this process causes initial damage to the gastrointestinal system, Susan had to follow a very specific diet, so as to avoid damaging her insides by stretching the stomach too far, which could reopen the surgery wound.

Following a successful surgery, intertwined with strict obedience to the doctor’s advice in regards to what she can eat, and what kind of exercise she must engage in, Susan managed to drop a significant 200lbs (90kgs). However, she was only half-way done with her transformation at that time.

With her stomach feeling full a lot sooner, and seeing the impressive results of her previous efforts, Farmer managed to lose another full 200lbs (90kgs) throughout the remainder of the year during which she was filmed, eventually also having surgery to remove the excess skin and fatty tissue, dropping another 46lbs (21kgs).

Having lost 446lbs (202kgs), Susan went from weighing 607lbs (275kgs) to only 161lbs (73kgs) – a rather unexpected weight that no one thought achievable for her. She ultimately left the show a happy and satisfied woman, and reportedly also managed to keep her weight down throughout 2022.

Why was she acting like a toddler?

In spite of her awe-inspiring achievement in the series, fans were quick to notice that Susan was behaving in an unbecoming manner towards the series’ crew, her mother, and others who were trying to help her. These emotional outbursts seemingly came out of nowhere, especially in situations where she had to give up an old habit.

While it can’t be excused that a 37-year-old woman behaves like a spoiled child, it’s understandable that someone going through such extreme changes will do and say things they never have before.

My 600-lb Life's Susan Farmer Tries on Jeans for First Time in Decades After Losing 400… https://t.co/8diCTC38Gd pic.twitter.com/wCHC0xTAWt

— Actor Headshots NYC (@ActorHeadshot) April 20, 2016

More importantly, however, it’s much more likely that the reason for Farmer’s lack of appropriate behavior and respect for those around her simply comes from the fact that she had no respect for her own self for a very long time, and some of the reality pills were too hard to swallow early on.

Whatever the reason may be for how she acted, it’s undeniable that she’s now in a much better place, and along with a greatly improved life, it’s widely believed that her behavior is much more acceptable as well, at least in early 2023. Until some sort of media coverage is released to confirm or deny this assumption, series’ fans can only speculate as to whether Susan has improved in this field. Her significant increase in self-respect should really help this situation.