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'How can Mark be this hardheaded?': Viewers slam 'My 600-lb Life' star for questioning Dr Now's treatment

Much of Mark Rutland's episode revolves around his refusal to undergo bariatric surgery, despite the advice of Dr Younan Nowzaradan

HOUSTON, TEXAS: For many, the purpose of appearing on TLC's 'My 600-Lb Life' is to be able to get bariatric surgery and enjoy a healthy lifestyle from then on. Even so, the operation is not an option for Mark Rutland in the March 1 episode. While the 42-year-old Florida man weighed 715 pounds at his heaviest, he thinks he can drop weight on his own, without the assistance of surgery from Dr Now. Fans believe he is doing this to avoid moving out of his house and depend on his family for as long as possible.

Much of Mark's episode revolves around his refusal to undergo bariatric surgery, despite the advice of Dr Younan Nowzaradan. While doing daily chores felt like "torture" to Mark, his dire situation did not dim his determination to lose 500 pounds naturally.

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Mark fights his family and Dr Now over weight loss surgery

Mark, 42, of Orlando, Florida, checked in at 715 pounds during his first visit with Dr Now. The TLC doctor told him that an individual at his weight should be able to follow his 1,200-calorie regimen and drop 100–120 pounds in a month. Mark was able to drop just short of 100 pounds by following his diet with only a few mistakes, weighing in at 618.

When Mark returned to the TLC doctor, his weight had fallen to 576 pounds. Dr Now was set to authorize Mark's surgery at this time. Sadly, Mark was not enthusiastic about the plan. For starters, he refused to move to Texas. Furthermore, he perceived the operation as a form of deception. And he was determined to drop weight on his own.

He then asked the doctor if he would be willing to collaborate with him and allow him to continue his training without the operation. Dr Now struck an agreement with Mark. He would assist him if he was able to maintain his weight reduction progress. However, if his development stalled, he would insist on moving to Texas for operation.

Sadly, this is where Mark's weight reduction struck a snag. The next time he weighed in, he actually added a few pounds. He only dropped one pound the next time he weighed in. Mark had progressed to the stage where he went to a club three times a week to work with a personal trainer. And he had a new job. So, even though he had reached a standstill with his weight reduction, as Dr Now had warned him, he was still not ready for an operation.

'Mark doesn't want to leave mommy'

Slamming Mark for questioning Dr Now's way of treatment, a fan wrote, "Dr. Now has seen fiftyleven patients go through this journey. How can Mark be this hardheaded to think diet & exercise only are gonna work for him?" Calling him delusional, a fan wrote, "Ugh Mark is delusional as hell. If he didn’t want surgery then he should’ve been losing the weight on his own." Another viewer added, "Mark is irritating. I’ve never seen someone with so much privilege on this show." A fourth person quipped, "You know Mark's parents are watching him turn down surgery because it would mean moving out of their house and going "...we're never gonna get rid of him, are we?"

Many fans also think, "Mark doesn't want to leave mommy." Calling him spoiled, a fan wrote, "So did the parents not raise Mark to not F bomb in front of a Dr? Totally spoiled disrespectful big white boy from Orlando Florida." Another viewer added, "Mark is the poster child of “I’m an adult. My parents can’t tell me what to do”..all while living at his parents, not working and having his parents take care of him." One fan also noted, "This family is too codependent and treats Mark as a baby, what did they expect?"

'My 600-lb Life' airs every Wednesday on TLC at 8 pm ET.

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