Ashley Bratcher's story resonated deeply with many viewers of TLC's "My 600-lb Life." Her journey, marked by childhood trauma and significant weight loss, offers a powerful example of resilience and determination. This article delves into Ashley's experiences, her struggles, and her inspiring transformation.
Initial Struggles and Background
When Ashley Bratcher first appeared on "My 600-lb Life" in 2016, she weighed over 725 pounds. Her weight severely restricted her mobility, making everyday tasks nearly impossible. "The normal things that everybody does are just impossible for me to do because of my size," Ashley confessed.
Ashley's weight issues stemmed from a difficult childhood. At the age of 6, she and her siblings were abandoned by their mother, who struggled with drug addiction. Ashley coped with this trauma by turning to food for comfort. "If my mother had been paying attention I think she could’ve changed a lot of stuff that was going on," she reflected. As the oldest, Ashley felt responsible for protecting her younger siblings, explaining, "As the oldest one, I felt like I had to protect my brother and sister because they were really little. So I let it happen to me, so it wouldn’t happen to them." She was already 250 pounds by 6th grade and weighed 400 pounds when she graduated high school.
Adding to her challenges, Ashley revealed she had been sexually abused by her babysitter’s husband. She dealt with the aftermath through food for two decades.
Despite these hardships, Ashley found love and married her high school sweetheart. They had a son, Patrick, who became a primary motivation for her to change her life.
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Seeking Help and Starting the Journey
Driven by a desire to be a better mother and regain control of her life, Ashley sought the help of Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a weight loss surgeon specializing in obese patients. Dr. Nowzaradan placed Ashley on a calorie-restricted weight loss program. Ashley's dedication led to immediate results, with her losing an impressive 123 pounds. This initial success paved the way for gastric bypass surgery.
Gastric Bypass and Subsequent Challenges
The gastric bypass surgery was successful. However, Ashley faced some setbacks. Four months after the surgery, she was hospitalized and required the removal of an ulcer and her gallbladder.
Despite these complications, Ashley persevered. By the end of her journey on "My 600-Lb Life," she had lost 255 pounds and was determined to continue her progress.
Life After "My 600-Lb Life"
In 2018, Ashley appeared in an episode of "Where Are They Now," providing an update on her life. She revealed that she had undergone surgery to remove excess skin, which had been hindering her movement and self-confidence. She also announced that she weighed under 300 pounds and had to purchase new clothes to fit her smaller frame.
Ashley emphasized that surgery was "just a tool" and that sustained effort was crucial for long-term success.
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According to Distractify, Ashley shared in a 2018 update she had trouble keeping off the weight she previously lost. “I just ended up giving in to gaining again, and then had to get back on track,” she said at the time. But she remained hopeful regarding how far she had come.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset
Ashley emphasized the importance of addressing the emotional roots of her eating disorder. "If it's true hunger, then, you know, I'll eat something," she explained. "But if I'm feeling angry, happy, sad, I try to revert my mind to something else. I go for a walk. I play with my dogs. I might journal."
Ashley lost 350 pounds - over 48% of her body weight - during the two years of filming the show, per Starcasm.
Family Life and Continued Motivation
Ashley frequently shares photos of her son, Patrick, whom she deeply loves. Her desire to be an active and present mother remains a driving force in her weight loss journey.
On October 29th 9 years ago at 8:20am God blessed us with a 8.02lbs boy. Patrick you have changed our lives in so many ways. I cant even begin to put down in words of how proud of you we are. Your so smart and you excel in just about anything you put your mind into. You have taken the best parts from both of us and have become a truly remarkable young man. We love you son. We hope you have many many more wonderful years in front of you. If you just put it in your head we believe you have the potential to do and be anything you want to be. We love you.
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Ashley’s dependency on Patrick - who was just six years old when viewers first met both of them - was a constant source of frustration for her. Ashley’s peak weight of 725 pounds meant she needed help to do almost anything, but her husband Jacob’s job as a truck driver meant that Ashley was often either home alone or with Patrick. Her desire to give Patrick his childhood was one of Ashley’s biggest motivators.
Current Status and Future Aspirations
As of 2021, Ashley resides with her family in Kemp, Texas. While she hasn't posted much about her weight recently, her social media presence reflects a happy and fulfilling life.
Ashley Dunn-Bratcher is still going strong in her weight loss journey, and fighting hard for the skin removal surgery she so desperately wants.