Where Is 'My 600-Lb Life' Subject Pauline Potter In 2017? Update On Gastric Bypass Patient

For the “Where Are They Now” edition of “My 600-Lb Life” Wednesday, TLC revisited the story of Pauline Potter. When the California mother started her journey three years ago, she weighed 677 pounds. She and her son Dillan moved to Houston to seek the help of renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan.

Years later, Potter failed to shed the weight. “That fat girl in me is still there,” Potter said on a preview for Wednesday’s update. “The doctor fixed our stomachs, but he didn’t fix our minds. I have to keep fighting.”

It hasn’t been an easy journey for Potter. The first year after her weight loss surgery, she lost 148 pounds, however, she substituted her food addiction for a pain pill addiction. The drug abuse nearly killed her.

READ: Bariatric Surgeon Regularly Accepts Challenging Weight Reduction Candidates

Because she was abusing the medication, she was rushed to the hospital where doctors found a septic infection in her bloodstream after an ulcer burst. She had to have the ulcer removed to stabilize her, even though it was risky.

“This surgery is very risky but it's her only hope to survive,” Dr. Nowzaradan said at the time, according to the U.K.'s Daily Mail.

Before she lost any of the weight, the only household chore Potter could perform was taking out the garbage. After she lost nearly 150 pounds, she was able to cook, do the dishes and fold laundry. Before that, all the household chores fell on her son, Dillon.

Potter claimed she tried 30 diets before she got gastric bypass surgery. She told TLC she would like to set the record for losing the most weight.

As viewers of the unscripted TLC reality series know, gastric bypass isn’t a magic procedure. Patients must follow a strict diet plan and exercise regimen to successfully lose weight.

“Weight loss surgery may address the mechanics of how much food you will need in order to feel full, or how much of the nutrients and calories are absorbed into your system, but the surgery dies not control you own post-surgical behavior,” the doctor’s website reads. “Because you will be eating less, you must make the best use of your caloric intake as possible.”

Dr. Now, as he is called by some patients, promotes a low-fat, high protein diet. The surgeon asks patients to cut out all sugary drinks and only drink water if possible.

READ: 'My 600-Lb Life' Doctor Younan Nowzaradan Sued For Malpractice Over Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Report

The doctor describes his program in the following way on his website: “Our comprehensive weight loss program is directed by Younan Nowzaradan, M.D., F.A.C.S., one of the most experienced and knowledgeable weight loss physicians. Dr. Nowzaradan is a general and vascular surgeon, that has been in practice in Houston, Texas for many years.”

His practice has experienced a few bumps, with the doctor being sued for malpractice over gastric sleeve surgery in 2012. He reportedly left “6.69 inch piece of tubing” inside a patient, who allegedly caused the patience to suffer mental and physical pain. The suit was dismissed the following year.

Don’t miss Season 5 of “My 600-lb Life” when it airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on TLC.

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