Telling powerful stories in hourlong episodes, TLC follows medical journeys of morbidly obese people as they attempt to save their own lives. The featured individuals - each weighing more than 600 pounds confront lifelong emotional and physical struggles as they make the courageous decision to undergo high-risk gastric bypass surgery. In addition to drastically changing their appearances, they hope to reclaim their independence, mend relationships with friends and family, and renew their feelings of self-worth.
Is this the best episode?
The peak run. Top 40% of seasons by average rating — consecutive, with an average of 8.50.
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Dr. Younan Nowzaradan
as Himself
All 54 episodes plotted by IMDb rating
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This may take a moment for shows with many seasons.
5 episodes • 2012Avg: 9.0Golden Era
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa's Story Part 1 | Feb 1, 2012 | 9.0 |
| 2 | Melissa's Story Part 2 | Feb 1, 2012 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Donald's Story | Feb 8, 2012 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Henry's Story | Feb 15, 2012 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Ashley's Story | Feb 22, 2012 | 0.0 |
8 episodes • 2014Avg: 8.0Golden Era
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zsalynn's Story | Jan 7, 2014 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Olivia's Story | Jan 14, 2014 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Penny's Story | Jan 21, 2014 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Chuck's Story | Jan 28, 2014 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Christina's Story | Feb 4, 2014 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Paula's Story | Feb 11, 2014 | 8.0 |
| 7 | James' Story | Feb 18, 2014 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Tara's Story | Feb 25, 2014 | 0.0 |
10 episodes • 2015
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amber's Story | Feb 4, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Susan's Story | Feb 11, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Pauline's Story | Feb 18, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Bettie Jo's Story | Feb 25, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Angel's Story | Mar 4, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Joe's Story | Mar 11, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Laura's Story | Mar 18, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Charity's Story | Mar 25, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Chay's Story | Apr 1, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Marla's Story | Apr 8, 2015 | 0.0 |
12 episodes • 2016Avg: 8.0
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikki's Story | Jan 6, 2016 | 8.0 |
| 2 | Brittani's Story | Jan 13, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Chad's Story | Jan 20, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 4 | June's Story | Jan 27, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Dottie's Story | Feb 3, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Gideon's Story | Feb 10, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Ashley D's Story | Feb 17, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Teretha's Story | Feb 24, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Randy's Story | Mar 2, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Milla's Story | Mar 9, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Sean's Story | Mar 16, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Lupe's Story | Mar 23, 2016 | 0.0 |
14 episodes • 2017Avg: 7.7
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandi and Kandi's Story | Jan 4, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Ashley R's Story | Jan 11, 2017 | 7.0 |
| 3 | Cynthia's Story | Jan 18, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Kirsten's Story | Jan 25, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Doug's Story | Feb 1, 2017 | 9.0 |
| 6 | Erica's Story | Feb 8, 2017 | 7.0 |
| 7 | Diana's Story | Feb 15, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Michael's Story | Feb 22, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Nicole's Story | Mar 1, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Tanisha's Story | Mar 8, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 11 | James K's Story | Mar 15, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Tracey's Story | Mar 22, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 13 | Steven & Justin's Story Part 1 | Mar 29, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Steven & Justin's Story Part 2 | Apr 5, 2017 | 0.0 |
18 episodes • 2018Avg: 9.0
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rena & Lee's Story | Jan 10, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Janine's Story | May 2, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Alicia's Story | May 9, 2018 | 9.0 |
| 4 | Liz's Story | May 16, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Karina's Story | May 23, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 6 | James B.'s Story | May 30, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Lisa's Story | Jun 6, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Roberts Story | Jun 13, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Tamy Lyn's Story | Jun 20, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Benji & David's Story | Jun 27, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Renee's Story | Jul 4, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Sarah's Story | Jul 11, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 13 | Schenee's Story | Jul 18, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Jennifer & Marissa's Story | Jul 25, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Bettie Jo & Susan | Apr 18, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 16 | Melissa Morris | Apr 25, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 17 | One Ton Family Part 1 | May 2, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 18 | One Ton Family Part 2 | May 9, 2018 | 0.0 |
20 episodes • 2019Avg: 6.5Valley of Despair
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Octavia's Story | Apr 3, 2019 | 6.0 |
| 2 | Brianne's Story | Apr 10, 2019 | 7.0 |
| 3 | Robin's Story | Apr 17, 2019 | 6.0 |
| 4 | Justin's Story | Apr 24, 2019 | 8.0 |
| 5 | Holly's Story | May 1, 2019 | 6.0 |
| 6 | Lacey's Story | May 8, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Brandon's Story | May 15, 2018 | 7.0 |
| 8 | Maja's Story | May 22, 2019 | 6.0 |
| 9 | Tiffany's Story | May 29, 2018 | 7.0 |
| 10 | Destinee's Story | Mar 6, 2019 | 6.0 |
| 11 | Jeanne's Story | Mar 13, 2019 | 6.0 |
| 12 | Aaron's Story | Mar 20, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 13 | Kelly's Story | Mar 27, 2019 | 7.0 |
| 14 | Annjeannette's Story | Apr 3, 2019 | 7.0 |
| 15 | Angela's Story | Apr 10, 2019 | 6.0 |
| 16 | LaShanta's Story | Apr 17, 2019 | 7.0 |
| 17 | Cillas' Story | Apr 24, 2019 | 7.0 |
| 18 | Mercedes' Story | May 1, 2019 | 5.0 |
| 19 | Angela J's Story | May 8, 2019 | 6.0 |
| 20 | Vianey & Allen’s Story | May 15, 2019 | 7.0 |
16 episodes • 2020Avg: 6.3Valley of Despair
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John & Lonnie's Story | Jan 1, 2020 | 7.0 |
| 2 | Lindsey's Story | Jan 8, 2020 | 7.0 |
| 3 | Bethany's Story | Jan 15, 2020 | 7.0 |
| 4 | J.T.'S Story | Jan 22, 2020 | 7.0 |
| 5 | Gina's Story | Jan 29, 2020 | 6.0 |
| 6 | Travis's Story | Feb 5, 2020 | 8.0 |
| 7 | Joyce's Story | Feb 12, 2020 | 6.0 |
| 8 | Carlton & Shantel's Story | Feb 19, 2020 | 7.0 |
| 9 | Seana's Story | Feb 26, 2020 | 5.0 |
| 10 | Ashley Bs Story | Mar 4, 2020 | 6.0 |
| 11 | Tommy's Story | Mar 11, 2020 | 7.0 |
| 12 | Coliesa's Story | Mar 18, 2020 | 7.0 |
| 13 | Dominic's Story | Mar 25, 2020 | 6.0 |
| 14 | Megan's Story | Apr 1, 2020 | 5.0 |
| 15 | Ashley T's Story | Apr 8, 2020 | 4.0 |
| 16 | Leneatha's Story | Apr 15, 2020 | 5.0 |
13 episodes • 2020Avg: 6.2Valley of Despair
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samantha's Story | Dec 30, 2020 | 6.0 |
| 2 | Thederick's Story | Jan 6, 2021 | 7.0 |
| 3 | Carrie's Story | Jan 13, 2021 | 6.0 |
| 4 | Cindy's Story | Jan 20, 2021 | 6.0 |
| 5 | Melissa M's Story | Jan 27, 2021 | 6.0 |
| 6 | Kenae's Story | Feb 3, 2021 | 6.0 |
| 7 | Krystal's Journey | Feb 10, 2021 | 6.0 |
| 8 | Isaac's Journey | Feb 17, 2021 | 6.0 |
| 9 | Michael's Journey | Feb 24, 2021 | 6.0 |
| 10 | Shannon's Journey | Mar 3, 2021 | 6.0 |
| 11 | Irene's Journey | Mar 10, 2021 | 7.0 |
| 12 | Tammy's Journey | Mar 17, 2021 | 7.0 |
| 13 | Chrystal's Journey | Mar 24, 2021 | 6.0 |
15 episodes • 2022
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathan's Journey | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Julian's Story | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Bianca's Journey | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Mike's Journey | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Lacey's Journey | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Paul's Journey | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Ryan's Journey | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 8 | James B's Journey | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Lucas' Journey | Jul 27, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Margaret's Journey | Aug 3, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Ontreon's Journey | Aug 10, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Dolly's Journey | Aug 17, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 13 | Larry's Journey | Aug 24, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Lisa's Journey | Aug 31, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 15 | David's Journey | Sep 7, 2022 | 0.0 |
8 episodes • 2023
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geno and Nico's Journey | Feb 1, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Latonya's Journey | Feb 8, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Wess' Journey | Feb 15, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Syreeta's Journey | Feb 22, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Mark's Journey | Mar 1, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Stephanie's Journey | Mar 8, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Chris P's Journey | Mar 15, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Patrick's Journey | Mar 22, 2023 | 0.0 |
7 episodes • 2024
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Krystal S' Journey | Mar 6, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 2 | William's Journey | Mar 13, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Delana's Journey | Mar 20, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Abi's Journey | Mar 27, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Rose's Journey | Apr 3, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Shakyia's Journey | Apr 10, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Charles' Journey | Apr 17, 2024 | 0.0 |
7 episodes • 2025
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan's Journey | Jan 1, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Krystal A's Journey | Jan 8, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Karen's Journey | Jan 15, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Gary's Journey | Jan 22, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Jacky's Journey | Jan 29, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 6 | DeShaun's Journey | Feb 5, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Juan's Journey | Feb 12, 2025 | 0.0 |
