Pauline Potter’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. Once holding the title of the world’s heaviest woman, she reached a staggering 50 stone (700 lbs) by consuming extreme amounts of food. Her breakfast alone was enough to shock anyone—six scrambled eggs, half a pound of bacon, four hash browns, six slices of buttered bread, and an ice cream milkshake! 😲
Determined to claim the Guinness World Record as the World’s Heaviest Living Woman in 2012, Pauline followed a high-calorie diet to gain weight. She was even part of a group called Supersize Big Beautiful Women, who believed that the bigger you were, the more beautiful you became. But over time, the reality of her size became too much to handle.
The Breaking Point
For years, Pauline had to rely on others for basic care, including applying cornstarch to her skin folds to prevent painful yeast infections. This daily struggle made her realize it was time for a change.
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That’s when she turned to the hit show My 600lb Life, where she worked with renowned weight loss surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, also known as Dr. Now. However, the road to transformation wasn’t smooth. At first, Pauline found it incredibly difficult to stick to the strict 1,200-calorie diet. She even considered giving up at one point, despite knowing that weight loss would help her regain independence and ease the burden on her family.
A Long and Difficult Journey
Under Dr. Now’s supervision, Pauline initially gained more weight before she finally started to make progress. Through sheer determination, she lost over 300 pounds, allowing her to qualify for skin removal surgery.
By 2021, her transformation was so dramatic that she was completely unrecognizable, having lost more than 500 pounds. Her hard work paid off, and her story became a beacon of hope for those facing similar struggles.
Reaching a New Chapter in Life
By January 2023, Pauline had lost an astounding 520 pounds and was ready to embrace a healthier lifestyle in her home state of California. Her progress was so inspiring that in October 2021, Dr. Now shared a jaw-dropping before-and-after photo of her on Instagram, telling his 602,000 followers:
💬 “I am very proud of the commitment and progress Pauline has made. When a patient wants to lose over 500 pounds, the first step is understanding the power of commitment. Weight loss surgery is not a quick fix—it’s a tool to support a long-term journey.”
Dr. Now encouraged others struggling with obesity to commit to lifestyle changes, emphasizing that true transformation happens with the right mindset and support system.
Life After the Spotlight
Since early 2023, Pauline has remained quiet on social media, with no recent updates on Facebook or Instagram. However, the last time she was active, she seemed genuinely happy, embracing her new lifestyle and newfound freedom.
Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter how tough the journey, change is possible. With dedication, the right support, and a commitment to a healthier life, anything is achievable. 💪
