'Not an easy decision': 'My 600-lb Life' star Mark Rutland denies surgery, sticks to diet and exercise
ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Mark Rutland, star of 'My 600-lb Life,' had to make a decision. When confronted with the possibility of bariatric treatment, he chose a different path.
Many of the patients on 'My 600-lb Life' are anxious to have weight reduction surgery, but an early glimpse of the March 1, episode reveals that Mark Rutland is the polar opposite, and he's now clarifying why. So far, Season 11 has followed Geno Dacunto and his cousin Nico Martone, Latonya Pottain, Wess Schulze, and Syreeta Covington on their journeys. They all had different degrees of success after seeking assistance from famous bariatric physician Dr Younan Nowzaradan. Most patients who come to 'Dr Now' expect to have weight loss surgery as quickly as feasible, but Mark is an exception.
RELATED ARTICLES
Who is Mark Rutland from 'My 600-lb Life'?
Mark, a 42-year-old from Orlando, Florida, struggled with excessive eating and a fast-food obsession. As a result, he weighed 715 pounds. Due to his weight, he described doing daily chores as "torture" on his 'My 600-lb Life' show. Mark acknowledged, "When you get to be this size, you're definitely broken mentally. I know I'm fat, and I have the ability to change, but I can't stop eating because when I'm eating it's the only time I get relief from the physical pain. It's the only time I'm happy." He chose to obtain assistance from Dr Now.
Why is Mark's family unhappy with his decision to not opt for surgery?
When Mark announced that he was not going to endure weight loss surgery, his family attempted to change his mind. His mother warned him that it was a big choice and urged him to engage his sister. She contacted Mark's sister, April, a nurse, who also differed with Mark's choice. She described weight reduction surgery as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." 'My 600-lb Life' star replied, "Yeah, I get it. I got the greatest weight loss doctor in the entire world, and all you guys want me to do it. It's not an easy decision for me not to do this."
Mark's father told him that despite his current weight of 550 pounds, he had only dropped 160 pounds. He still had 250 pounds to lose before reaching 300. Mark expressed his displeasure, but his father explained that he had no choice. Mark elaborated, "I can't hear that ... That's the same s— Dr Now was saying: 'You still have 300 lbs. to lose.' It's like yeah, I don't care." "You work hard, you do everything you can and then the number on the scale, that's gonna take care of itself," the 'My 600-lb Life' star continued. When his father inquired about his plans for the next three months, Mark stated emphatically, "I have no intention of going backwards."
Day by day Mark continues to make progress in his eating habits. See more of his journey on the new #My600LbLife Wednesday at 8/7c. pic.twitter.com/tFJLEy5TPM
— TLC Network (@TLC) February 28, 2023
Where is Mark Rutland from 'My 600-lb Life' now?
'My 600-lb Life' now begins assisting patients by placing them on rigorous diet and exercise regimens. He stresses that the weight reduction procedure does not work like magic. In other words, if individuals are unwilling to alter their eating habits, it will not work. They must also handle the mental health problems that contribute to their overeating. He wants them to drop a certain amount of weight in order to be fit enough for surgery, but also to demonstrate that they are serious about making positive adjustments in their lives. Mark is a unique case in 'My 600-lb Life' Season 11, as he thinks he can slim down without undergoing weight reduction surgery.
Mark chose to continue his path without going under the knife after making some lifestyle adjustments to drop enough weight to qualify for a bariatric procedure. Despite Dr Now's medical advice, he thought he could stick to his diet and lose 500 pounds naturally. In a sneak peek of Mark's 'My 600-lb Life,' he informed his folks that "everything's been going good." He said that he had been working with a trainer at the gym, who was pleased with his weight reduction success. He later acknowledged, "But with all that being said… I'm not gonna do the surgery ... Hopefully not ever."
In his 'My 600-lb Life' episode, Mark appears to be trying to prove something to himself. Weight reduction surgery appears to be an easy way out for him, but others see it as an effective element that helps people his size drop weight and improve their health. Mark's determination to reach his weight reduction target on his own is admirable. It will be fascinating to see Mark's ultimate choice on his 'My 600-lb Life' episode.
Mark's decision to not go through with weight-loss surgery is a shock for his family. See the rest of his journey on #My600LbLife tomorrow at 8/7c. pic.twitter.com/qCjefzTg2a
— TLC Network (@TLC) February 27, 2023
Mark Rutland from 'My 600-lb Life' unhappy with TLC
According to Mark's current social media, he is training with Alejandro Porcuna, a Florida-based fitness instructor. He also took to Instagram in February to discuss the forthcoming show and how reading the synopsis disturbed him. The synopsis states, "Mark sets out with a goal for weight-loss surgery, but as weight loss gets easier, he turns down medical advice and decides to do it on his own; Mark thinks he can lose 500 pounds by himself, but Dr Now sees this as another excuse not to change."
He describes how he was in a terrible place in his life and didn't see any other choice but to lock himself away and eat away his feelings. He still remains grateful for the chance for the rest of the world to see him fight back from the time he struck rock bottom. He has also shared numerous videos of himself training and continuing on his weight reduction quest.
'My 600-lb Life' Season 11 airs Wednesdays at 8 pm ET on TLC.