The My 600 Lb Life Robert episode features one of the heaviest participants in the show’s long history — and Robert’s medical problems have become a deadly threat. His extreme obesity has rendered Robert “completely dependent” upon his fiancée, Kathryn, for support, but the situation for both is becoming desperate.
In a teaser clip available for viewing only on TLC’s web site, Robert goes through his morning routine while describing how it feels to live in his body.
“The first thing I think when I wake up in the morning is ‘I feel blessed and shocked at the same time,'” Robert says, unfortunately echoing a sentiment shared by so many of his fellow My 600 Lb Life cast members.
“Because it’s almost unbelievable,” Robert goes on, “that I woke up. The pain when I wake up is all over…and I feel sometimes like I can’t take or live this life one more minute.
“To carry all this weight is physically draining,” Robert explains, “mentally [and] emotionally taxing. It’s not a pain I wish on anyone. Because I can’t do anything. I can’t do anything for anyone, especially myself. So I am completely dependent upon my fiancée, Kathryn.”
Because TLC has only made Robert’s first name public, it seems there’s some confusion about his identity. We can confirm, based on the press materials the network has made available, that the My 600 Lb Life Robert is not the same Robert who weighed nearly 800 pounds and featured in an episode of The Dr. Phil Show in 2012. That man was then-23-year-old Robert Gibbs:
As we wrote in a follow-up, Robert Gibbs shot to viral fame almost overnight when his desperate plea for help losing weight. “I’m just trying to get some help from somebody,” he said at the time. “Nutritionist, personal trainer, Dr. Phil, Biggest Loser, anything.”
The video brought Robert Gibbs to the attention of several producers, and he did settle on Dr. Phil. Eventually, that Robert would lose some of his weight, then gain it back, and become a regular YouTube contributor. If you’re looking for him, you’ll find his channel here.
If you’re looking for the My 600 Lb Life Robert episode, it premieres tonight at 8 EST on TLC.
(Photo credits: My 600 Lb Life Robert via TLC)
