Ep 15. One Ton Family: Part 1

In season 6 episode 15 of My 600-lb Life, titled One Ton Family: Part 1, viewers get a glimpse into the lives of an entire family struggling with obesity. The episode follows the Bunch family as they attempt to turn their lives around and shed some of the weight that has been holding them back for years.

At the start of the episode, we meet Patrik Bunch, who weighs in at a staggering 708 pounds. Patrik is 28 years old and has been overweight his entire life, but his weight gain accelerated rapidly when he started working as a truck driver. Patrik's wife, Caretta, also struggles with obesity, weighing in at 519 pounds. They have two children, Patrik Jr. and Phoenix, who are both overweight as well.

The Bunch family is living in a small apartment in Houston, Texas and are completely dependent on Patrik's income. Because of his weight, Patrik can no longer work as a truck driver and is on disability, receiving a monthly payment of $800. This means that the family has no extra money to spend on healthy food or gym memberships, and they often resort to fast food and junk food to make ends meet.

In the first part of the episode, we see the family meeting with Dr. Nowzaradan, who is a renowned weight loss surgeon. Dr. Nowzaradan discusses Patrik's health issues, which include diabetes, sleep apnea, and severe lymphedema in his legs. He tells the family that in order to qualify for weight loss surgery, Patrik must first lose weight on his own and adhere to a strict diet and exercise regimen. Dr. Nowzaradan gives the family a goal of losing a total of 200 pounds in order to get Patrik ready for the surgery.

The rest of the episode follows the family as they attempt to make the necessary changes to their diet and exercise routines. Patrik struggles to stick to the diet that Dr. Nowzaradan has prescribed, as he is used to eating large portions of fast food and junk food. Caretta, on the other hand, seems more motivated to make the necessary changes, but she struggles with mobility issues and finds it difficult to exercise.

Despite these challenges, the Bunch family manages to make some progress towards their weight loss goals. They start eating healthier foods and begin taking short walks around their apartment complex. Patrik also shows signs of improvement in his lymphedema, which is a positive development.

Overall, One Ton Family: Part 1 is a heart-wrenching look at the struggles of a family dealing with extreme obesity. The Bunch family is clearly motivated to make a change, but they face numerous obstacles in their journey towards a healthier lifestyle.