Ep 18. Alicia and Pauline

Alicia and Pauline are the focus of season 8 episode 18 of My 600-lb Life. Both women are struggling with extreme obesity and the accompanying health issues that come with it. Alicia weighs in at 618 pounds and has been bedridden for over a year due to her weight. She is completely dependent on her husband, who acts as her caretaker. Pauline weighs 677 pounds and also has difficulty performing everyday tasks such as bathing and going to the bathroom.

The episode begins with Dr. Nowzaradan meeting with Alicia and Pauline to assess their current physical and mental states. He is concerned about their health and emphasizes the importance of committing to a healthy diet and exercise routine. Dr. Nowzaradan also explains that he will not perform weight loss surgery unless the patients can show that they are capable of making significant lifestyle changes. Both women agree to the program and begin their weight loss journey.

The first step in their journey is a trip to Houston to meet with Dr. Nowzaradan's nutritionist. The nutritionist explains the importance of a healthy diet and provides Alicia and Pauline with a meal plan to follow. The plan includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein while cutting out high-calorie and processed foods. The nutritionist also emphasizes the importance of portion control and encourages the women to weigh their food to ensure that they are eating the correct amounts.

The next step is to begin exercising. Due to their extreme weight, Alicia and Pauline can only perform limited exercises. They begin by using a stationary bike and an arm bike to build their strength. They also start taking short walks around their home to increase their activity level. Dr. Nowzaradan checks in with them regularly to monitor their progress and encourage them to push themselves further.

As the weeks go by, Alicia and Pauline begin to see progress in their weight loss journey. They continue to follow their meal plan and exercise routine and begin to feel more confident and capable. However, there are still obstacles to overcome. Pauline struggles with emotional eating and finds it difficult to resist temptation when she is stressed or upset. Alicia also struggles with emotional eating and has trouble staying motivated when she doesn't see results quickly.

Despite these setbacks, Alicia and Pauline continue to make progress. They both lose a significant amount of weight and are eventually approved for weight loss surgery. The surgery is successful, and both women continue to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine to maintain their weight loss. They also work on their psychological health, attending therapy sessions to address the emotional issues that contributed to their weight gain.

In the end, Alicia and Pauline's weight loss journey is a testament to the power of determination and commitment. They both faced extreme obstacles but were able to overcome them with the help of Dr. Nowzaradan and his team. Their story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to make a change and take control of your health.