Original subtitles

Marla: I CAN'T EVEN BATHE MYSELF.

MY KIDS HAVE TO DO THAT FOR ME.

Charity: I FEEL LIKE SOME MONSTER.

Woman: I'VE BEEN HIDING FROM THE WORLD, JUST WAITING TO DIE.

Woman #2: [ Voice breaking ] I AM ABSOLUTELY TRAPPED

IN THIS BODY,

AND I FEEL LIKE I'M DYING EVERY DAY.

Susan: I'M TERRIFIED RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS MY LAST HOPE TO BECOME NORMAL.

Madison: I NEED MY MOM.

I NEED HER TO BE HERE FOR ME.

**

Man: 10 SECONDS NOW.

HOLD IT, HOLD IT, HOLD IT.

[ SIGHS ] GOOD JOB.

Christina: I HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE

TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF.

Joe: I REFUSE TO LET THEM BURY ME.

Woman: I AM NOW EXPRESSING MYSELF AND LIVING MY OWN TRUTH.

Olivia: I LOST THE WEIGHT, BUT I GAINED MY FAMILY.

Zsalynn: LIFE IS AMAZING NOW. I'M REALLY PROUD OF MYSELF.

Laura: I LOVE MY LIFE.

Marla: [ GRUNTS, LAUGHS ]

-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

I CAN'T GET UP. I CAN'T WALK.

I HAVE NO LIFE.

MY BODY IS JUST BREAKING DOWN.

THE FOOD IS KILLING ME.

IT'S KEEPING ME

FROM BEING A PART OF MY KIDS' LIVES.

Adele: IF SHE DON'T LOSE THE WEIGHT,

I'M AFRAID THAT SHE'LL PASS.

Marla: I NEED TO DO SOMETHING FAST,

OR I'M GONNA DIE.

Dr. Nowzaradan: HER BODY IS SHUTTING DOWN.

Marla: I KNOW THIS IS MY LAST CHANCE,

AND I DON'T WANT TO DIE.

WHOA! AAH!

AAH! I'M FALLING! PLEASE!

IT'S OKAY. WE GOT YOU. OH! AH!

Dr. Nowzaradan: SHE HAS BEEN REFUSING PHYSICAL THERAPY.

SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND

HOW SERIOUS THE SITUATION IS.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE PROGRESS.

NO, I WILL NOT, DR. NOW.

WHY ARE YOU GIVING US ATTITUDE?

WE'RE TRYING HERE TO HELP YOU.

MARLA, YOU'RE JUST PLAYING A GAME WITH US.

I'M GLAD YOU THINK I'M PLAYING A GAME.

YEAH, YOU ARE.

Sierra: IT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING TO WATCH HER BEING LIKE THIS.

Dr. Nowzaradan: I'M HOPING THAT SENDING HER HOME WILL BE

A WAKE-UP CALL.

Marla: I JUST NEED MY OWN SPACE AND MY OWN TIME.

OKAY.

Dr. Nowzaradan: YOU'RE DOING GOOD.

I THINK I'VE COME A LONG WAY.

-ALL RIGHT. -THERE YOU GO!

GOOD JOB! [ APPLAUSE ]

Marla: I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF.

IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET HERE,

BUT NOW NOTHING'S GONNA STOP ME.

IT'S BEEN ABOUT NINE MONTHS

SINCE I HAD MY WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY.

AND OVER THE PAST MONTH,

I HAVE CONTINUED TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS.

I'M LOSING WEIGHT, BUT I'M STILL NOT ABLE TO GET UP

AND MOVE AROUND,

AND I'M STILL HAVING TO RELY ON MY DAUGHTER SIERRA FOR A LOT.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS STRESSFUL ON BOTH OF US.

I REALLY THINK YOU NEED TO START GETTING YOUR LIFE TOGETHER.

THESE LAST TWO MONTHS, IT'S BEEN HELL, SIERRA.

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ON THIS WITH ME.

MOM, I FEEL LIKE I'M OUT HERE GOING THROUGH HELL WITH YOU.

[ SIGHS ]

Marla: A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I WAS KIND OF DEPRESSED

BECAUSE THINGS WEREN'T GOING AS I THOUGHT THEY WOULD GO,

BUT IT'S GOTTEN BETTER.

I'VE GOTTEN STRONGER.

ROLL IT IN. ROLL IT IN.

Marla: THE NEXT BIG GOAL I HAVE IS TO GET UP AND WALK.

AND I KNOW GETTING SOME OF THIS LOOSE SKIN REMOVED

WOULD HELP OUT TREMENDOUSLY.

I CAME TO TEXAS TO GET MY LIFE BACK

SO I COULD BE HERE FOR MY GRANDKIDS,

BUT I STILL DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M ABLE TO BE IN THEIR LIVES

LIKE I SHOULD.

SO I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THIS SURGERY DONE.

BUT IT'S BEEN HARD STICKING TO THE DIET

THAT THE DOCTOR WANTS ME ON.

I CAN'T KEEP ANYTHING DOWN.

I STILL HAVE CRAVINGS. I MISS FRIED CHICKEN.

I TRIED USING OLIVE OIL, BUT IT DON'T TASTE THE SAME.

AND JUST EATING MEAT IS A LITTLE FRUSTRATING.

WE DON'T HAVE NO EGGS.

I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT NO VEGETABLES,

BUT I DO EAT CABBAGE.

[ CHUCKLES ]

I PROBABLY EAT MORE CHICKEN THAN ANYTHING.

BUT I'VE HAD A COUPLE BAGS OF CHIPS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO STARVE YOURSELF.

YOU JUST HAVE TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES.

WHAT?

Sierra: I FEEL FRUSTRATED BECAUSE

IF SHE CAN JUST GET UP AND WALK, THAT'D BE A MAJOR STEP FOR ME.

ANYTHING ELSE?

YEAH, THAT CONDITIONER OVER THERE.

Sierra: I KNOW RIGHT THEN AND THERE...

Marla: A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I WOULD'VE SAID

IT WAS FRUSTRATING FITTING IN THIS BED,

WATCHING PEOPLE COME AND GO, BUT I USE IT AS FUEL NOW

'CAUSE SOON I'LL BE OUT THERE.

I'M GOING TO THE DOCTOR SOON, AND I'M HOPING

HE'LL GIVE ME THE GO-AHEAD TO GET SKIN SURGERY.

I FEEL LIKE I'M TRAPPED IN THIS BODY.

[ Voice breaking ] NOT BEING ABLE TO LOSE THE WEIGHT

IS KILLING ME.

I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING,

OR I'M NOT GONNA BE AROUND MUCH LONGER.

Dr. Nowzaradan: I'M GOING TO APPROVE YOU FOR SURGERY.

WE'RE GONNA SCHEDULE YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

[ LAUGHS ]

Laura: I WANTED TO CALL OFF THE SURGERY,

BUT MY FAMILY CONVINCED ME TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

[ MONITOR BEEPING RAPIDLY ]

Dr. Nowzaradan: LAURA'S FAMILY SAYS THAT SHE PASSED OUT.

IT LOOKS LIKE SHE HAS PNEUMONIA,

AND IT IS PRETTY SEVERE.

Laura: BEING IN THE HOSPITAL

MADE ME REALIZE HOW MUCH OF MY LIFE I'VE WASTED.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO YOU.

AS LONG AS YOU'RE HOLDING ON TO THAT,

THEY STILL HAVE CONTROL.

I HAVE TO FORGIVE SO I CAN MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE.

Laura: I'M LEARNING TO STOP GOING TO FOOD FOR COMFORT.

I KNOW I HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO,

BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME,

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT I'M GONNA GET THERE.

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA WANT FOR BREAKFAST?

BACON AND EGGS.

Laura: SINCE THE WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY,

A LOT HAS CHANGED FOR ME.

SO MANY.

Laura: MY LIFE'S BEEN GREAT.

I CAN DO SO MUCH MORE NOW.

I TRY NOT TO DEPEND ON ANYBODY ANYMORE.

AND BEFORE, WHEN I WAS 600 POUNDS,

MY FAMILY HAD TO DO EVERYTHING FOR ME.

[ GRUNTS ]

ALL RIGHT. -READY?

Joey: I FEEL BAD 'CAUSE SHE CAN'T DO IT HERSELF.

BUT THAT'S WHY I'M THERE.

Laura: SOME DAYS, I WANT TO DIE

SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ME ANYMORE.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THE WAY I AM NOW.

IT'S LIKE I'M LIVING SOMEBODY ELSE'S LIFE.

THAT'S HOW I FEEL.

IT'S JUST LIKE A DREAM.

Laura: DID YOU WANT MORE BACON THAN THAT, OR IS THAT ENOUGH?

-IT'S ENOUGH. -ENOUGH?

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JOEY HAS CHANGED A LOT.

I ACTUALLY GET UP, I COOK FOR HIM,

AND I TRY NOT TO RELY TOO MUCH ON JOEY.

BUT THE BETTER I GET,

THE WORSE MY RELATIONSHIP IS GETTING.

HE ACTS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

HE'S LIKE, "OH, YOU DON'T NEED ME."

I TOLD HIM, "I NEED YOU TO SUPPORT ME,

NOT TAKE CARE OF ME."

I FEEL LIKE I'M ON THE SIDELINES.

SHE DON'T NEED ME AS OFTEN, AND I'M A LITTLE SCARED

OF LOSING HER WITH ALL THE CHANGES WE'RE GOING THROUGH.

Laura: I TRY TO EXPLAIN TO HIM THAT I'M NOT GONNA LEAVE

JUST BECAUSE I CAN DO ON MY OWN.

HE'S BEEN THERE, YOU KNOW, THESE 13 YEARS,

AND I DON'T WANT NOBODY ELSE.

BUT I KNOW THAT IT'S GONNA BE VERY HARD

'CAUSE HE'S ALREADY, LIKE, AT THE EDGE.

HOW DID YOU LIKE YOUR BREAKFAST? -GOOD.

Laura: SO, THE MARRIAGE IS HARD RIGHT NOW,

BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY HARD THING.

IT'S A CHALLENGE STILL EVERY DAY

TO NOT GO BACK AND EAT WHAT YOU USED TO EAT.

I DON'T LIKE MEAT.

I JUST STARTED GETTING, LIKE, GROSSED OUT WITH IT.

SO, IT'S KIND OF HARD FOR ME TO STICK

TO THAT HIGH-PROTEIN DIET THAT DR. NOW RECOMMENDED.

THAT WORRIES ME BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO KEEP LOSING WEIGHT.

I WAS MADE FUN OF MY WHOLE LIFE.

SO, I JUST -- I WANT TO BE NORMAL

LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

THIS EXTRA SKIN MAKES ME FEEL DISGUSTING.

I HATE IT.

I WANT PEOPLE TO SAY, "OH, MY GOSH, SHE'S BEAUTIFUL" --

[ SNIFFLES ]

NOT JUST BECAUSE OF MY HEART BUT JUST THE WAY I LOOK.

I GO TO THE DOCTOR NEXT MONTH, AND I JUST HOPE I'VE LOST ENOUGH

THAT DR. NOW WILL THINK I'M READY FOR SKIN SURGERY.

Marla: TODAY, I'M GOING TO SEE DR. NOW,

AND HOPEFULLY HE'LL APPROVE ME FOR SKIN SURGERY.

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, HE WEIGHED ME,

AND I WAS 534 POUNDS.

TODAY, I HOPE HE SEES I LOST ENOUGH WEIGHT

FOR SKIN SURGERY.

MM-HMM.

BYPASS THIS.

SO, I'M NOT ABLE TO BE WEIGHED.

I KNOW I'VE LOST MORE WEIGHT, THOUGH.

I CAN FEEL IT IN MY CLOTHES AND THE WAY I LOOK.

[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]

-GOOD MORNING. -GOOD MORNING.

-HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING? -ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE BEEN IN OUR OFFICE.

-YEAH. -WELL, I'M GLAD YOU MADE IT.

-MM. [CHUCKLES] -OKAY.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU EATING MOSTLY?

MOSTLY CHICKEN, FISH, EGGS.

I STILL CAN'T EAT YOGURT.

OKAY. ANY PROBLEM WITH WEAKNESS?

MY ARMS IS HURTING.

-WHERE? -MY ARMS.

IT'S STARTING TO PULL RIGHT HERE.

SO, WHAT WEIGHT DO I HAVE TO GET DOWN TO

BEFORE I BE CONSIDERED TO DO SKIN SURGERY?

WELL, IT'S NOT THE WEIGHT THAT IS A PROBLEM.

YOUR LACK OF MOBILITY IS THE ISSUE.

-MM-HMM. -WITH THE INFECTION,

AND ALL KIND OF COMPLICATION THAT GOES WITH THE SKIN...

MARLA WAS ABLE TO STAND TWO MONTHS AGO.

THERE IS NO REASON FOR HER NOT TO BE ABLE TO WALK RIGHT NOW.

SHE'S NOT PUSHING HERSELF, AND THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM

IF SHE WANTS TO HAVE SKIN SURGERY.

I JUST WANT MY SKIN SURGERY 'CAUSE I KNOW I'VE LOST WEIGHT.

SO, WE PERFORMED A VERY AGGRESSIVE BYPASS ON YOU,

SO YOUR BODY IS GONNA LOSE WEIGHT ON ITS OWN.

BUT IF YOU DON'T START WALKING AND HONE TO THE DIET,

YOU'RE GOING TO GAIN THE WEIGHT BACK.

SO, I WANT YOU TO START PRACTICING STANDING

FOUR TIMES A DAY EVERY DAY

UNTIL YOU START WALKING ON YOUR OWN,

AND I WANT TO SEE YOU BACK IN TWO MONTHS.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE SOME STEPS THEN.

-MM-HMM. -ALL RIGHT.

-ALL RIGHT, DR. NOW. -OKAY.

IF WE CAN GET MARLA WALKING, I THINK SKIN SURGERY IS GOING

TO BE A HUGE HELP FOR HER TO CONTINUE LOSING WEIGHT.

BUT SHE HAS TO BE WILLING TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

Marla: I'M DISAPPOINTED.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE HE UNDERSTANDS ME

OR HOW I'M MOTIVATED.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND

WHY HE WON'T GIVE ME THE SKIN SURGERY.

SO I NEED TO FIND MY WAY TO MOVE FORWARD.

Laura: TODAY, I'M GOING TO SEE DR. NOW

TO SEE IF HE CAN APPROVE ME FOR MY SKIN SURGERY.

THE LAST TIME I CAME IN FOR A WEIGH-IN,

I HAD LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT.

[ GASPS ] -OH, THAT'S GOOD.

Laura: I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD,

SO I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW MUCH I'VE LOST THIS TIME.

Woman: 359.

THAT'S SO DISAPPOINTING.

I THOUGHT I WAS DOING SO WELL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]

-HELLO. -HI.

Dr. Nowzaradan: HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING?

UM, I'VE BEEN DOING GOOD,

EXCEPT I'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF, LIKE, PROBLEMS

WITH MY SKIN.

I KNOW SKIN IS AN ISSUE,

BUT LET'S FIRST TALK ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT GAIN.

HOW ARE WE DOING WITH YOUR DIET?

I GET A LOT OF, LIKE, NAUSEA WITH PROTEIN.

AND SO, WHAT DO YOU EAT?

I'VE JUST BEEN EATING, LIKE, VEGETABLES.

THAT'S IT.

IF YOU EAT THE VEGETABLE,

YOUR STOMACH IS GONNA GET BIGGER AND BIGGER.

OH. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

SO, THE DIETING INSTRUCTION, DID YOU READ IT?

UM, YES, BUT CHICKEN MAKES ME, LIKE, GROSS OUT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY.

OKAY. HOW ABOUT THE TUNA?

MM, I DON'T LIKE TUNA.

YOGURT?

I'LL EAT YOGURT, AND I DRINK MILK.

OKAY, THAT WILL DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.

YOU GOT TO GIVE UP THE MILK.

Dr. Nowzaradan: THERE IS A REASON

THAT LAURA SHOULD BE EATING A HIGH-PROTEIN DIET.

IT IS THE ONLY WAY FOR HER TO GET PROPER NUTRITION

WHILE SHE'S LOSING WEIGHT.

BY ADDING MILK AND VEGETABLES, SHE'S LIKELY REVERSING

THE EFFECT OF HER SURGERY BY EXPANDING HER STOMACH.

I WANT YOU TO START INCORPORATING

A SMALL AMOUNT OF PROTEIN IN YOUR DIET.

AND OVER TIME, YOU WON'T FEEL NAUSEOUS ANYMORE.

YOU NEED TO SHARPEN UP YOUR EATING HABIT

TO THE POINT THAT YOU'RE GONNA LOSE

AT LEAST 15 TO 16 POUNDS A MONTH.

OKAY.

RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE ABOUT 360 POUNDS.

I WANT YOU TO LOSE AT LEAST 80 POUNDS,

AND THEN WE'LL CONSIDER SKIN SURGERY.

OKAY, I'LL WORK. I'LL WORK VERY HARD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. SEE YOU ALL LATER.

OKAY.

Dr. Nowzaradan: I KNOW LAURA WANTS SKIN SURGERY,

BUT WE CAN'T DO SURGERY BEFORE SHE LOST MORE WEIGHT,

OTHERWISE IT WON'T BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE LONG-TERM.

EITHER LAURA CHOOSES TO BE HEALTHY,

OR UNFORTUNATELY, GIVEN HER METABOLISM,

SHE WILL END UP BACK THE WAY SHE WAS.

I WAS REALLY HOPING THE DOCTOR WOULD GIVE ME SKIN SURGERY.

IT'S GONNA BE REALLY HARD TO CHANGE MY DIET AGAIN,

BUT I'M GONNA HAVE TO DO IT TO GET THIS BURDEN OFF OF ME.

COULD I GET MY MEAL STARTED?

Marla: SINCE I'VE SEEN THE DOCTOR,

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON MY DIET.

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA EAT?

THE CHICKEN SALAD.

Marla: SINCE THE SURGERY,

I'VE HAD TO LEARN TO EAT BETTER FOOD,

TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES.

I USED TO EAT WHATEVER I WANTED WHENEVER I WANTED IT.

I LOVE FOOD.

I LOVE THE WAY IT MAKES ME FEEL.

THAT'S NOT BAD AT ALL.

WHEN I START EATING, I CAN'T STOP.

BUT NOW, MY DIET HAS MORE RESTRICTIONS.

AND IT'S A DAILY STRUGGLE,

SINCE THERE IS ALWAYS UNHEALTHY FOOD AROUND ME.

PUT MY TOP ON THAT, AND DON'T EAT IT.

Marla: RIGHT NOW, I'M FEELING PRETTY GOOD,

AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T WEIGHED MYSELF IN A WHILE,

I KNOW I'M STILL LOSING WEIGHT.

SIERRA, GIVE ME THIS DRESS OVER HERE.

Marla: I WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS BED,

SO I'VE BEEN WORKING OUT MORE THAN I EVER HAVE BEFORE.

OKAY. HAND ME MY WEIGHTS.

Marla: I CAN'T SEE MY GRANDKIDS IF I STAY STUCK IN THIS BED,

SO I GOT TO KEEP WORKING.

I'M NOT READY TO STAND YET,

BUT EVERY DAY I'M GETTING STRONGER MY WAY.

WHEN I SEE DR. NOW NEXT MONTH,

I WANT TO SHOW HIM HOW HARD I'VE BEEN WORKING.

-BABE? -YEAH?

I'M GONNA WEAR THIS TO GO TO AEROBICS.

THAT'LL DO.

Laura: TODAY, I'M GONNA TRY WATER AEROBICS

FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I WAS REALLY SAD

WHEN DR. NOW TURNED ME DOWN FOR SKIN SURGERY.

BUT NOW I'M VERY MOTIVATED TO GET ON TRACK.

LET'S DO THIS.

[ GRUNTS ]

-[ CHUCKLES ] -LET'S GO WORK IT OUT.

JOEY GETS JEALOUS THAT I COULD DO THINGS ON MY OWN,

SO HE WANTS TO COME ALONG TO SEE WHAT I'M UP TO.

HE'S ALWAYS TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF ME,

EVEN WHEN I DON'T NEED THE HELP.

AND THAT'LL CAUSE US TO ARGUE

BECAUSE I STILL WANT TO LIVE MY OWN LIFE

AND NOT FEEL LIKE I'M 600 POUNDS.

I NEVER WANT TO BE IMMOBILE.

I NEVER WANT TO BE A BURDEN ON ANYBODY.

[ Voice breaking ] I NEVER, EVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN.

AS MUCH AS I LOVE JOEY,

I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF AND KEEP LOSING WEIGHT.

I HAVE TO LOSE 80 POUNDS BEFORE I SEE THE DOCTOR AGAIN,

OR HE WON'T GIVE ME THE SKIN SURGERY.

I CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN. I NEED THIS SURGERY.

I WISH I COULD FEEL THIS LIGHT ALL THE TIME.

I'M HAVING A LOT OF FUN.

I DON'T WANT TO GET OUT.

I REALLY NEED THIS SKIN GONE.

MY CLOTHES ARE SO WET.

Laura: IT GETS IN THE WAY AND GETS INFECTED.

I FEEL VERY ASHAMED OF MYSELF,

AND I AM VERY EMBARRASSED OF MY BODY.

GETTING SKIN SURGERY MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.

I HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

Marla: TODAY, I'M GOING TO SEE DR. NOW TO SEE HOW MUCH I WEIGH.

I KNOW I'M NOT WALKING YET, BUT I'M CERTAIN I LOST WEIGHT.

AND IF HE WOULD JUST GIVE ME THE SKIN SURGERY,

IT WOULD MAKE WALKING SO MUCH EASIER.

I FEEL LIKE I DEFINITELY MADE ENOUGH PROGRESS TO BE APPROVED,

BUT I KNOW DR. NOW AND I DON'T ALWAYS SEE EYE TO EYE.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE PROGRESS.

AND THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR YOU NOT TO BE ABLE TO WALK.

YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.

WE'RE TRYING TO HELP YOU,

AND YOU DIDN'T RESPOND TO IT, OKAY?

SO, THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'M TELLING YOU.

[ SIGHS ]

WE'RE TRYING TO HELP YOU.

MARLA, YOU'RE JUST PLAYING A GAME WITH US.

I'M GLAD YOU THINK I'M PLAYING A GAME.

YEAH, YOU ARE. OKAY.

Man: WE'RE GONNA TAKE YOUR LEGS

AND WE'RE GONNA TURN THEM AROUND THIS A-WAY.

YEAH.

I HAVEN'T WALKED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF,

AND I'M AFRAID MY LEGS AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD ME YET.

-YOU JUST TELL ME WHEN. -OKAY.

I'M SCARED I MIGHT FALL.

I DON'T KNOW IF MY BODY CAN HANDLE THIS.

TWO, THREE -- -LET'S GO.

Marla: I'M HOPING I LOST ENOUGH WEIGHT FOR SKIN SURGERY.

TWO, THREE -- -LET'S GO.

Man: YOU'RE PUTTING SOME WEIGHT ON THAT.

LET GO, MA.

I REALLY DON'T NEED A SCALE TO TELL ME

'CAUSE I LOOK AT MYSELF AND I KNOW MY CLOTHES,

WHAT SIZE I USED TO WEAR AND WHAT I WEAR NOW, SO...

THREE.

...I KNOW I'M LOSING WEIGHT.

AND DR. NOW SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THAT.

[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]

-HELLO. -HELLO, DR. NOW.

-HOW ARE YOU DOING? -ALL RIGHT.

THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GET A WEIGHT ON YOU,

AND IT LOOKED LIKE YOU'RE STILL NOT WALKING.

I STEPPED ON THE SCALE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT READ.

BUT I KNOW I'M LOSING WEIGHT BECAUSE OF MY CLOTHES.

LIKE I TOLD YOU BEFORE,

YOU'RE GONNA LOSE SOME WEIGHT BECAUSE OF SURGERY.

BUT IF YOU DO NOT START WALKING, THE SURGERY WILL FAIL.

MM-HMM. SO, WHEN CAN I GET SKIN SURGERY?

FROM WHAT I CAN TELL,

YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUCH EFFORT TO GET BETTER.

THAT'S YOUR OPINION.

I DON'T THINK I HAVE A VERY GOOD,

UM, UNDERSTANDING WITH YOU,

AND YOU DON'T HAVE ONE WITH ME.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

I DON'T THINK YOU TREAT ME FAIR OR RIGHT.

Dr. Nowzaradan: I KNEW MARLA WOULD BE A CHALLENGING PATIENT

WHEN SHE WAS IN HOSPITAL A YEAR AGO.

BUT IN MY ENTIRE CAREER, I NEVER DEALT WITH SOMEONE

WHO REFUSES TO DO BASIC HUMAN FUNCTIONS

LIKE STANDING AND WALKING.

OKAY, WE'RE TREATING YOU LIKE ANY OTHER PERSON.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU

THAT YOU FEEL I HAVEN'T DONE FOR YOU?

AT THIS POINT, NOTHING.

WELL, WE SAVED YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU GOT HERE.

WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING, BUT YOU HAVEN'T DONE YOUR PART.

YOU FEEL I HAVEN'T DONE MY PART,

JUST LIKE YOU SAID I'VE MADE -- -MARLA, I WILL TELL YOU WHAT --

IN 5,000 PATIENTS IN THE PAST 40 YEARS,

I DON'T REMEMBER I'VE SEEN ANYBODY SIX MONTHS AFTER SURGERY

THAT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO WALK.

YOU'RE PUTTING ME IN A GROUP.

MY OPINION IS BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE.

YOU CAN'T PUT ME WITH NOBODY ELSE.

YOU'VE GOT A BAD ATTITUDE.

AND WHY DO I HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE?

YOU HAVE BEEN TOTALLY UNCOOPERATIVE,

TOTALLY NONCOMPLIANT WITH THE TREATMENT

THAT WE'VE GIVEN YOU.

MARLA, YOU HAVE NOT COMPLIED WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE --

-DR. NOW, I HAVEN'T WALKED. -NO KIDDING.

-IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF. -BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT TRYING.

THAT'S YOUR OPINION.

I WILL TELL YOU WHAT -- I WILL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY.

FIND ANOTHER SURGEON TO TAKE CARE OF YOU

FROM THIS POINT. -NO. I AM NOT.

I DON'T WANT YOU AS A PATIENT BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT APPRECIATIVE,

NONCOOPERATIVE, AND DISRESPECTFUL!

I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN TO HELP YOU STAND.

I CAN'T DO ANY MORE FOR YOU. -OKAY.

SEE YOUR PRIMARY DOCTOR.

ASK HIM TOMORROW TO FIND YOU ANOTHER SURGEON

BECAUSE WE ARE DISMISSING YOU FROM OUR CARE.

I ALREADY HAVE. THANK YOU.

Dr. Nowzaradan: I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH MARLA.

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HELP HER FROM THE FIRST DAY I SAW HER.

BUT SHE REFUSES TO TAKE OUR DIRECTIVE.

I CAN ONLY ASSUME SHE WANTS TO LIVE THIS UNHEALTHY LIFE

BECAUSE IT'S EASIER FOR HER.

BUT IF SHE DOESN'T WANT TO CHANGE,

I CAN'T HELP HER.

MARLA IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE.

IF SHE DOESN'T, SHE WILL END UP BACK 800 POUNDS.

Laura: EVER SINCE THE DOCTOR TURNED ME DOWN FOR SKIN SURGERY,

I'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD TO LOSE THE WEIGHT.

TODAY, I'M GOING TO THE GYM

TO WORK OUT WITH A PERSONAL TRAINER.

AND I KNOW I NEED TO EAT MORE PROTEIN.

BUT I JUST DON'T LIKE IT.

SO I'M JUST NOT EATING VERY MUCH RIGHT NOW.

-HELLO. HOW ARE YOU DOING? -HI. HOW ARE YOU DOING?

-YOU MUST BE LAURA. -YES.

Josh: GO AHEAD AND FOLLOW ME TO THE BACK.

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU A COUPLE OF THE MACHINES.

I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. NOW COMING UP.

AND I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN

SO HE CAN APPROVE ME FOR SKIN SURGERY.

BUT SOMETIMES, I FEEL LIKE JOEY DOESN'T WANT ME

TO LOSE THE WEIGHT.

-FEELING GOOD? -OH, MAN, SORE HERE ALREADY.

STARTING TO FEEL IT ALREADY, HUH?

WE GOT TWO MORE LEG MACHINES TO GO.

ME LOSING WEIGHT IS HARD ON JOEY BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE,

AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE JOEY.

BUT THIS ISN'T ABOUT HIM.

I NEED TO LOSE THE WEIGHT FOR ME.

I FEEL DIZZY.

DID YOU EAT ANYTHING TODAY BEFORE YOU CAME IN?

A PIECE OF TURKEY AND CHEESE.

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE FEELING LIKE THIS.

YOU ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU EAT A LITTLE BIT

OF SOMETHING BEFORE YOU WORK OUT.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BURN OFF.

Laura: I'M NOT EATING PROPERLY,

SO I STARTED FEELING REALLY SICK,

AND I'M SUPPOSED TO BE EATING ENOUGH SO I CAN WORK OUT,

AND IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

AND NOW I'M FEELING REALLY SICK. I CAN'T GO ON.

EVERYTHING IS FALLING APART -- MY RELATIONSHIP --

AND IF I LOSE MY SHOT AT SKIN SURGERY,

I'VE PRETTY LOST EVERYTHING I CARED ABOUT.

Marla: THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT FOR ME IN HOUSTON

BECAUSE LAST TIME I SEEN DR. NOW,

IT DIDN'T GO VERY WELL.

I STARTED THIS JOURNEY BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE ABLE

TO WATCH MY GRANDKIDS GROW UP,

AND I COULDN'T DO THAT IN HOUSTON,

SO IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GET BACK TO NASHVILLE.

BUT DR. NOW TOOK A CHANCE ON ME WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD.

Dr. Nowzaradan: HELLO, MARLA.

WE'RE GONNA GET YOU IN, OKAY? -OKAY.

Dr. Nowzaradan: I CAN ALREADY SEE THAT SHE IS

IN ONE OF THE WORST CONDITIONS HEALTH-WISE I HAVE EVER SEEN.

Marla: WHEN HE DISMISSED ME, IT WAS A REAL REALITY CHECK.

I'VE SEEN REALIZED I WAS HEADING DOWN THE WRONG ROAD.

AND NOW I MOVED IN WITH MY OLDEST DAUGHTER, BRITTANY,

SO SIERRA CAN GET A PLACE OF HER OWN.

YOU THINK YOU'LL BE COMFORTABLE HERE?

Marla: YEAH.

EVEN THOUGH DR. NOW IS NO LONGER MY DOCTOR,

I FOLLOW HIS REGIMEN, HIS DIET.

AND IT FEELS LIKE I'M LOSING THE WEIGHT.

I KNOW I'M MAKING PROGRESS,

AND I'M STILL WORKING TOWARDS WALKING

AND GETTING SKIN SURGERY.

SO I GOT TO FIND SOME MEDICAL HELP HERE IN NASHVILLE.

Laura: IT'S BEEN ABOUT THREE MONTHS

SINCE I LAST SAW DR. NOW.

I'M GOING IN TO SEE IF I'VE LOST ENOUGH WEIGHT

TO GET APPROVED FOR SKIN SURGERY AGAIN.

DR. NOW WANTED ME TO LOSE 80 POUNDS TODAY.

I'M SCARED WHAT THE SCALE'S GOING TO SAY.

THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, THE DOCTOR TURNED ME DOWN.

I REALLY NEED THE SKIN SURGERY.

Laura: DR. NOW WANTED ME TO BE UNDER 280

TO GET APPROVED FOR MY SKIN SURGERY.

I'M SCARED WHAT THE SCALE'S GOING TO SAY.

Woman: 307.

YOU STILL LOST WEIGHT. -OH, I KNOW, BUT I'M MAD.

I REALLY THOUGHT I LOST MORE WEIGHT THAN THAT.

[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]

-HELLO. -HI.

SO, YOU'RE DOWN TO 307.

YES.

WHICH IS NOT VERY GOOD.

YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.

HOW'S YOUR DIET COMING ALONG?

I'VE BEEN EATING MORE PROTEIN THAN USUAL.

ANY SNACKING?

CRACKERS.

CRACKERS?

WHAT FOR?

I DON'T KNOW.

HOW IS YOUR LEVEL OF ACTIVITY?

I, LIKE, HAD NO ENERGY FOR THE LAST WEEK.

I'VE BEEN TOO WEAK TO EXERCISE.

WELL, YOU'RE WEAK BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GETTING

ENOUGH PROTEIN.

AND YOU'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH PROTEIN

BECAUSE YOU'RE FILLING UP ON THINGS LIKE CRACKERS.

Dr. Nowzaradan: I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH LAURA.

SHE STILL HASN'T GOT HER DIET BACK ON TRACK,

AND THAT'S STALLING HER WEIGHT LOSS.

CAN WE TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SKIN AND SEE WHAT BOTHERS YOU?

SURE.

ALL MY SKIN BOTHERS ME,

BUT THIS PART IS REALLY ANNOYING.

THAT LITTLE MASS BOTHERS YOU THE MOST?

-YEAH. -OKAY.

Laura: SO, AM I GONNA BE ABLE TO GET THE SKIN SURGERY?

WELL, I'LL REMOVE THAT SMALL MASS,

BUT UNTIL YOU LOSE MORE WEIGHT,

THE REST OF YOUR BODY IS NOT READY FOR SKIN SURGERY.

WE'LL SET YOU UP FOR THAT SURGERY, OKAY?

-OKAY. -ALL RIGHT.

I'LL SEE YOU LATER. -THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. -MM-HMM.

[ SIGHS ]

Laura: THIS IS DISAPPOINTING.

THIS SURGERY IS NOT GONNA CHANGE THE WAY I LOOK.

I JUST FEEL LIKE I'M WORKING SO HARD,

BUT I DON'T GET ANYWHERE.

AND I'M STILL TRAPPED IN THIS BODY THAT I DON'T WANT.

Marla: I FINALLY FOUND A CLINIC HERE IN NASHVILLE

TO HELP ME KEEP MAKING PROGRESS WITH MY WEIGHT LOSS.

I'VE BEEN TRYING TO STAND EACH DAY

AND WORK HARD TO STICK TO THE DIET.

BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN MY ACTUAL WEIGHT

SINCE THE LAST TIME I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.

Woman: MISS McCANTS?

Marla: AND THAT WAS SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

THE LAST TIME I GOT ON A SCALE,

I WEIGHED 534 POUNDS.

Man: THERE YOU GO!

GOOD JOB! [ APPLAUSE ]

I KNOW I LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT SINCE THEN.

BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH.

I HOPE I MADE IT BELOW 400 POUNDS.

Woman: 364.

OKAY.

I'M REALLY SHOCKED. I'M IN THE 300s.

[ CHUCKLES ]

Marla: SEEING THAT NUMBER MAKES ME FEEL SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN COME UP WITH A GAME PLAN

TO FINALLY GET MY SKIN SURGERY.

-HI, MISS McCANTS. -HOW ARE YOU DOING?

NICE TO SEE YOU.

SO, WHAT DID YOU WEIGH TODAY?

364.

GREAT!

YOU'RE IN THE WHEELCHAIR TODAY AND NOT ON THE GURNEY,

AND THAT'S WONDERFUL.

WELL, I'M GLAD THAT YOU'VE CONTINUED

TO MAKE GOOD PROGRESS, AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS

KEEP INCREASING YOUR STRENGTH AND YOUR MOBILITY

SO THAT YOU CAN WALK LONGER DISTANCES

AND HAVE MORE STAMINA.

WELL, I'M HAVING A LOT OF ISSUE WITH THIS SKIN AND STUFF.

IT'S JUST HANGING THERE. -YEAH.

IT REALLY FEELS HEAVY.

WELL, YOU HAVE MADE ASTOUNDING PROGRESS,

AND IF YOU CAN LOSE THAT NEXT 100 POUNDS,

THEN YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE EXTRA SKIN TAKEN OFF.

YES.

WELL, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

Hayden: MARLA DEFINITELY NEEDS TO CONCENTRATE

ON IMPROVED MOBILITY AND CONTINUED WEIGHT LOSS,

AND THEN SHE CAN HAVE SURGERY TO TAKE OFF THE EXCESS SKIN.

Marla: IT FEELS REALLY GOOD TO HAVE MADE THIS MUCH PROGRESS.

I KNOW THE WEIGHT'S GONNA COME OFF SLOWER NOW,

BUT HAVING A PLAN IN PLACE FOR SKIN SURGERY

REALLY HELPS ME TO STAY MOTIVATED,

TO FOCUS ON EATING RIGHT, AND DOING MY EXERCISES

AND HOPEFULLY GET WALKING HERE REAL SOON.

I'M FINALLY ON MY WAY TO GETTING MY LIFE BACK.

Laura: TODAY THEY'RE DOING SURGERY

ON A SMALL PIECE OF SKIN UNDER MY STOMACH,

AND I'M REALLY NERVOUS.

I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RECOVERY.

JOEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ME AGAIN,

AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT IN OUR RELATIONSHIP.

Dr. Nowzaradan: TODAY, WE'RE DOING

A SMALL MASS REMOVAL ON LAURA.

IT'S GOING TO BE A MINIMAL SURGERY,

BUT IT'S GOING TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT

ON HER ABILITY TO WALK AND BE ACTIVE.

[ MONITOR BEEPING ]

ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET STARTED.

Dr. Nowzaradan: WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE THE TISSUE,

BEING VERY CAREFUL TO TIE OFF ALL THE BLOOD VESSELS.

ALL RIGHT.

WE TOOK THIS MASS OFF OF HER SUPRAPUBIC AREA.

AND WE REMOVED OVER FIVE POUNDS OF MASS

IN HER LOWER ABDOMEN.

ALL RIGHT, ALL FINISHED UP.

OKAY, LET'S GET HER INTO RECOVERY.

LAURA'S SURGERY WENT VERY WELL.

Woman: SLOW, DEEP BREATH.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR LAURA TO MAINTAIN PROPER DIET

SO HER WOUND CAN HEAL.

WE'LL KEEP HER HERE FOR A FEW DAYS WHILE SHE RECOVERS

AND SEND HER HOME WHEN SHE'S STRONG ENOUGH.

Girl: GRANNY!

Marla: YEAH.

YOU'LL SIT DOWN HERE WITH ME?

Both: ONE, TWO...

Marla: SEEING THE DOCTOR AND MAKING A PLAN FOR SKIN SURGERY

HAS REALLY HELPED ME GET MOTIVATED.

ALL RIGHT, DO SOME PUMP-UPS.

Marla: I'M WORKING ON MY LEG EXERCISES EVERY DAY,

MAKING SURE I GET MY STRENGTH UP.

ALL RIGHT.

OKAY. GRANNY'S TRYING.

Marla: THE MORE THE WEIGHT COMES OFF,

THE EASIER IT IS TO STAND UP AND MOVE AROUND.

A YEAR AGO, I HAD TO HAVE AN ARMY OF PEOPLE

TO HELP ME STAND.

PUSH! WHOA! AAH!

AAH! I'M FALLING! PLEASE!

AND SOMETIMES THAT WASN'T ENOUGH.

NOW THAT I'M LIVING WITH MY FAMILY,

MY MOTIVATION IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

AND LITTLE BY LITTLE, I'M GONNA GET THERE.

Both: YEAH!

MM!

-WHAT TIME IS OUR RESERVATION? -I DIDN'T MAKE ONE.

Laura: IT'S BEEN ABOUT A MONTH SINCE MY SURGERY,

AND TONIGHT I'M HAVING A GIRLS NIGHT WITH MY SISTERS.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOU'VE GONE OUT

BY YOURSELF WITHOUT JOEY.

YEAH.

I HOPE JOEY LEFT HIS CHECKBOOK IN THE CAR.

[ LAUGHTER ]

WHAT? I HEARD YOU LAUGHING.

WE'RE NOT LAUGHING AT YOU.

Laura: IT'S BEEN KIND OF ROUGH WITH JOEY LATELY.

HE FEELS LIKE I DON'T NEED HIM ANYMORE,

AND HE TELLS ME THAT I SHOULD NEED HIM.

AND I TOLD HIM I NEED HIM BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

I DON'T NEED HIM TO PUT ON MY SHOES.

I DON'T NEED HIM TO HELP ME IN THE SHOWER.

I TOLD HIM, "I NEED YOU TO LOVE ME,

NOT TO TAKE CARE OF ME."

AND HE TELLS EVERYBODY THAT HE JUST WISHED

THAT I NEVER HAD THE SURGERY AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND IT MAKES ME FEEL BAD.

WHY?

BECAUSE WE GOT TO LEAVE YOUR PACKAGE AT HOME AND BE OUT.

I KNOW, BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR HIM.

I DON'T.

HE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A WHOLE NEW LIFE FOR YOU.

IT'S A WHOLE CHANGE, SO HE NEEDS TO DEAL WITH IT.

Laura: HE'S SCARED TO LOSE ME, BUT WHAT HE DOESN'T REALIZE IS

HE'S PUSHING ME AWAY.

AND THAT'S GONNA BE A CAUSE FOR US TO SPLIT UP.

I THINK BEING HEALTHY AND HAPPY IS MORE IMPORTANT

THAN BEING MISERABLE AND MAKING MY HUSBAND HAPPY.

SO I HAVE TO MAKE THIS CHANGE FOR ME.

Marla: I'VE BEEN DOING REALLY WELL THIS PAST MONTH.

I'VE LOST ANOTHER 17 POUNDS.

AND NOW, I CAN WALK FROM THE LIVING ROOM

TO THE KITCHEN WITH NO ONE BEHIND ME.

IT FEELS LIKE A HUGE MILESTONE.

BUT I NEED TO KEEP MOVING MORE

TO LOSE THE WEIGHT SO I CAN HAVE THE SKIN SURGERY.

Girl: WHAT YOU DOING, GRANNY?

GETTING READY TO COOK SOME FISH.

Marla: EVERY DAY, I'M DOING MY BEST

TO MAKE HEALTHY EATING DECISIONS.

THE MORE INDEPENDENT I GET, THE MORE I REALIZE

I COULD BE A ROLE MODEL TO MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS.

AND NOW I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM EAT BETTER

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THEM TO END UP LIKE I DID.

Laura: JOEY AND I ARE GOING TO SEE A MARRIAGE COUNSELOR TODAY.

OUR RELATIONSHIP HAS REACHED ITS BREAKING POINT.

AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE HIM.

SO, YOU ALL HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR 15 YEARS.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU TEND TO BUMP HEADS ON?

WHEN I WAS BIGGER, HE HAD TO DO EVERYTHING FOR ME.

I COULDN'T WALK.

I COULDN'T TAKE A SHOWER BY MYSELF AND STUFF.

SO, JOEY, YOU HAVE REALLY SEEN LAURA AT HER WORST.

-YEAH. -IN WHAT WAYS HAS SHE IMPROVED?

SHE DOES A LOT OF THINGS FOR HERSELF.

I JUST STARTED GETTING UP, PUTTING ON MY OWN CLOTHES,

PUTTING ON MY OWN SHOES.

SO HE'S, LIKE, FREAKING OUT, AND I GET ANGRY.

I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU GET MAD

WHEN I'M JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU.

BECAUSE YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE

I'M THAT BIG PERSON AGAIN.

JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU OUT.

SO, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RELATIONSHIP CAN

THEN CHANGE FROM NEEDING HIM TO JUST WANTING,

THAT YOU DON'T NEED HIM TO TAKE CARE OF YOU ANYMORE?

NEEDING IS, LIKE, SOMEBODY THAT YOU NEED TO DEPEND ON,

AND WANTING IS SOMEBODY THAT YOU WANT THERE.

IT'S A CHOICE.

IT'S A CHOICE THAT YOU CAN STAY NOW

OR A CHOICE THAT YOU CAN LEAVE.

AND I WOULD NEVER LEAVE YOU.

WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO STAY?

BECAUSE I LOVE HIM.

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

THANK YOU. -THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

Laura: I KNOW THAT JOEY AND I HAVE A LOT TO WORK ON,

BUT NOW I FEEL THAT THERE'S HOPE FOR US.

Marla: THIS MORNING I'M GONNA TRY TO GET

INTO THE FRONT SEAT OF A CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.

YEAH.

WHOO!

[ GRUNTS, LAUGHS ]

LET'S GO, GIRL!

A YEAR AGO, I HAD TO GET E.M.T.s AND AN AMBULANCE

TO TAKE ME ANYWHERE.

IT'S SUCH A FREEING FEELING TO BE ABLE TO RIDE IN A CAR.

LOOKING GOOD, GIRL.

NOW, WE'RE GOING TO THE SHOE STORE

TO FIND SOME NEW WORKOUT SHOES SINCE I'VE BEEN WALKING MORE.

Woman: WELCOME IN.

WE'VE GOT LOTS OF SHOES FOR YOU TODAY.

I FEEL LIKE EVERY DAY I'M MAKING NEW STRIDES.

THIS ONE'S GONNA HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CUSHIONING.

YEAH, I LIKE THESE.

Marla: I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE SOME NEW SHOES.

SO, WATCH OUT, WORLD. HERE I COME.

LAURA PEREZ?

Laura: IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE I STARTED

MY WEIGHT-LOSS JOURNEY,

AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW MUCH I WEIGH TODAY.

297.

YAY.

I'M UNDER 300. [ LAUGHS ]

AND HOW DO YOU FEEL?

I FEEL GREAT, AND NOW THAT THE MASS IS GONE,

I'LL BE ABLE TO DO MORE THINGS.

Dr. Nowzaradan: LAURA HAS DONE VERY WELL.

THE NEXT STEP WILL BE THAT LAURA CONTINUE

TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH HER HIGH-PROTEIN DIET

AND LOW CARBS.

SHE'LL BE READY FOR ANOTHER SKIN SURGERY.

RIGHT NOW, THE GOAL IS TO GET YOU

TO YOUR TARGET WEIGHT OF UNDER 200, OKAY?

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR.

ALL RIGHT. YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME.

Laura: THIS JOURNEY HAS BEEN VERY LONG AND CRAZY.

I STILL HAVE MORE WORK LEFT TO DO,

BUT I'M GONNA REACH MY GOALS.

AND JOEY AND I WILL REACH THEM TOGETHER.

IT'S BEEN SO MUCH BETTER WITH JOEY LATELY.

I FINALLY FEEL LIKE HE'S WORKING WITH ME TO FINISH THIS JOURNEY.

TWO YEARS AGO, THIS WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.

LAURA AND I HAVE BOTH CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.

-I LOVE YOU. -I LOVE YOU, TOO.

OH, MY GOD, THIS IS SO WEIRD.

Laura: IN A FEW MONTHS, I HOPE TO GET MY SKIN SURGERY,

AND IT FEELS SO GOOD TO DO THIS TOGETHER.

I LOVE MY LIFE,

AND I'M FINALLY READY TO LIVE IT.

Marla: TODAY, I DECIDED I NEEDED TO CALL DR. NOW

AND TELL HIM HOW I'M DOING.

I KNOW WE DIDN'T END ON THE BEST TERMS,

BUT I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO REACH OUT.

IF IT WASN'T FOR HIM, I WOULDN'T BE WHERE I AM TODAY.

-Hello. -HEY, DR. NOW.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

YEAH, THIS IS ME.

I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE SURGERY BECAUSE IT WORKED.

DR. NOWZARADAN: That's great. What is your weight doing?

I'M DOWN TO 330 POUNDS. I CAN WALK.

I WALK INTO MY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS.

I CAN WALK.

OKAY.

GIRL, I'M READY TO GO AND WORK OUT.

ALL RIGHT.

Marla: I'M TRYING TO WALK A LITTLE BIT EVERY DAY

JUST TO BUILD UP MY STRENGTH.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I'M GONNA GET DOWN

SO I CAN HAVE MY SKIN SURGERY.

TWO YEARS AGO, I HAD LOST THE HOPE

OF EVER LOSING WEIGHT AND GETTING OUT OF BED.

I THOUGHT I'D BE STUCK FOREVER.

Woman: DOING GOOD.

ONCE I GET THIS SKIN OFF OF ME

AND NOTHING'S HOLDING ME BACK ANYMORE,

I'M GONNA TRAVEL AND SEE THE WORLD.

I'M GONNA REACH MY GOALS.

I'M GONNA MAKE THIS THING HAPPEN.

TWO YEARS AGO, I WAS STUCK IN BED

AND MISSING OUT ON MY GRANDKIDS' LIVES.

Y'ALL ARE SUPPOSED TO BE JUMPING. COME ON!

NOW, I PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN OUR TIME TOGETHER.

Girl: IT'S REALLY GOOD TO SEE MY GRANDMA HAPPY

AFTER BEING STUCK IN THE HOUSE.

Y'ALL WANT TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE?

Marla: I'M GONNA KEEP WORKING HARD

SO THAT ONE DAY I CAN DO EVEN MORE FOR THEM.

NOW, I'M GONNA LIVE EVERY MINUTE LIKE IT'S MY LAST.