Ep 7. Brandon's Story

Brandon's Story is the seventh episode of the seventh season of the popular reality TV series My 600-lb Life. The show chronicles the journeys of several individuals who are struggling with severe obesity and are seeking to make a change in their lives.

This particular episode follows the story of Brandon, a 33-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri. Brandon has been struggling with his weight since he was a teenager and has reached a tipping point. At his heaviest, he weighs over 700 pounds, and the weight has taken a severe toll on his health, mobility, and relationships.

The show begins with Brandon making his way to Houston, Texas, to meet with renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Nowzaradan. Brandon hopes that the doctor can help him lose weight and get his life back on track. Dr. Nowzaradan examines Brandon and runs a battery of tests to assess his overall health and fitness for weight loss surgery.

Over the next few months, viewers get to see Brandon's journey as he works towards losing enough weight to qualify for surgery. This involves adhering to a strict diet and exercise regimen under the guidance of Dr. Nowzaradan, who periodically checks in on Brandon's progress. Along the way, viewers get to see the many challenges that Brandon faces, including dealing with emotional eating, managing his cravings, and overcoming setbacks.

One of the most poignant moments in the episode comes when Brandon opens up about his past trauma and how it has contributed to his weight gain. He talks about growing up in a dysfunctional family and experiencing physical and emotional abuse. He also reveals that he turned to food as a coping mechanism, which eventually led to his obesity.

Despite the difficult journey, Brandon perseveres and makes significant progress towards his weight loss goals. However, he soon realizes that losing weight is only part of the challenge. He must also learn to make new choices an develop new habits to maintain his weight loss and improve his overall health. This includes upending his relationships and lifestyle, which have been shaped by his obesity for so long.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to see the impact that Brandon's weight has had on his relationships, especially with his mother, who has been his primary caregiver throughout much of his life. As he loses weight, Brandon must confront the fact that he has become overly-dependent on his mother and must learn to take more responsibility for his own life.

In the end, Brandon's Story is a powerful and moving testament to the human capacity for resilience and change. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, Brandon manages to take control of his life and make a change for the better. His journey serves as an inspiration and motivation for anyone struggling with their weight or other challenges in life.