Charity Pierce's journey on My 600-lb Life is a testament to the power of resilience and the possibility of transformation. Beginning her journey as one of the heaviest women in the world, Pierce faced immense challenges, both physical and emotional. Her story, documented on the TLC reality television series, is one of struggle, loss, and ultimately, hope.
Initial Struggles and Desperation
When Charity Pierce first appeared on season three of My 600-lb Life, she was in a dark place. Weighing over 700 pounds, she expressed her desperation, stating, "I would rather die than live this way." Her concerns extended beyond her own health, as she also worried about her daughter, Charly's, growing obesity problem.
Adding to her difficulties, Pierce faced a series of personal tragedies. Her mother passed away, and she discovered that her fiancé had been unfaithful with her own sister. These emotional blows compounded the already immense challenge of her weight loss journey.
Turning Point: Dr. Nowzaradan and Gastric Bypass
Despite the overwhelming obstacles, Charity Pierce sought help from Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a Houston-based surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery. Under Dr. Nowzaradan's care, Pierce underwent gastric bypass surgery, a procedure that would prove to be a turning point in her weight loss journey.
With the support of Dr. Nowzaradan and the gastric bypass surgery, Pierce began to make significant progress. She eventually lost over 400 pounds, a remarkable achievement that demonstrated her commitment to changing her life.
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Continued Transformation and Setbacks
Charity's transformation continued on a 2017 episode of My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?. During this follow-up, she underwent the removal of masses from her body and nearly 40 pounds of excess skin. By this point, she had lost a total of 513 pounds.
However, the journey was not without its setbacks. Distractify reported that Pierce had developed a drinking problem, and her relationship with her daughter, Charly, was strained. Despite these challenges, Charly was inspired by her mother's results and managed to drop 95 pounds as well.
Recognition and Resilience
Charity Pierce's weight loss journey is considered one of the top ten most successful stories on My 600-lb Life, according to Starcasm. Her ability to overcome immense difficulties and achieve significant weight loss has been an inspiration to many.
In 2018, Pierce's newfound confidence was evident in an edgy tattoo on her forearm, which read, "I'm not the girl next door, I'm the b**** down the street." This bold statement reflected her determination to embrace her new self and defy expectations.
Health Challenges and Continued Struggles
Despite her progress, Charity Pierce's resilience has been tested again. In a social media post, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with kidney cancer. "I found out at Christmas time that I have kidney cancer," she wrote. "It devastated me bc my mom passed away from brain cancer."
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To combat the cancer, Pierce underwent surgery to remove her kidney. "So on March 2 my kidney was removed," she shared. "And now I'm recovering at home trying to heal." The long-term outcome of her cancer battle remains to be seen.
In September 2020, her daughter Charley posted, "My mom's away to better herself. She's had some struggles but is doing great now." This suggests that Charity Pierce may still be working through personal challenges and striving for continued improvement.
Life After My 600-lb Life
Charity Pierce's most recent appearance on My 600 Lb Life was the Where Are They Now? follow-up in May 2017. In that episode, viewers learned that she had managed to lose a total of 500 pounds from her peak weight of 778 pounds, an impressive 64.2% of her initial weight.
However, after the episode aired, Charity criticized the show's producers for what she felt was a misrepresentation of events. She addressed the show's portrayal of her family, stating, “We do have mental issues, but I assure you that incest is not one of them. I do have bipolar, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks."
Since that fallout, Charity's life has continued to evolve. She and Charly were involved in a head-on car accident in the spring, but fortunately, both escaped with minor injuries. Charity also got a new tattoo and celebrated the birth of a close family friend's child.
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Reflections on My 600-lb Life
My 600-lb Life is an American reality television series that has aired on TLC since 2012. The show documents the weight loss journeys of morbidly obese individuals, each weighing at least 600 pounds at the start of their episode. The patients are placed under the care of Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, who guides them through diet, exercise, and sometimes surgery to achieve a healthier weight.
The series has also faced criticism and controversy. Several former patients have filed lawsuits against the show's production company, Megalomedia, alleging negligence and claiming that the company failed to cover medical costs. Other complaints include the show allegedly not providing promised mental health treatment.
Despite the controversies, My 600-lb Life has brought attention to the struggles of individuals battling extreme obesity and has inspired many to seek help and make positive changes in their lives. The show has also spawned spin-offs, including My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now? and Skin Tight, which further explore the challenges and triumphs of weight loss.