On a recent episode of My 600-lb Life, we met James K., a Kentucky native who weighed in at 790 pounds, making him the heaviest person to appear on the hit reality show. And since the episode aired, fans are wondering what James looks like before and after his weight loss journey.

After a devastating accident, bedridden James attempted to lose the weight, but explained that after taking a nasty fall, it was impossible for him to stay active. “”Things got worse when I was 42 because I fell, and I was so big, the fire department had to come and get me up,” he said. “It was one of the lowest moments in my life. And I hurt my ankle really bad, and I had to stay in the bed and rest. But I’m not even sure if it ever healed because that’s the last time I put weight on it.”

TLC

James before his drastic weight gain to nearly 800 pounds.

James’ father revealed that, though James reached more than 500 pounds when he was in his 30s, his weight ballooned after the fall. “I think James’ weight [got out of control] five or six years ago,” he said. “And I tried to mention it to James a few times about his weight. But I don’t know, it seemed to do no good. It got out of hand.”

James’ girlfriend Lisa also recollected his change from active to sedentary. “When me and James first started dating, he was still active, rode four wheelers, took the kids riding to the lake area, went fishing a lot,” she said. “He was a very active person.”

James after becoming bedridden from his accident.

Lisa and James ended had children together, though Lisa was married at the time, so James wasn’t given the opportunity to raise his own kids. He points to the stress of not being fully in his kids lives as a source of steady weight gain.

Though on the episode, James promised to lose the weight, between financial difficulties, false promises, and girlfriend Lisa sneaking James unhealthy food, the weight loss surgery was not able to be performed. The 46-year-old did still vow at the end to exercise and eat right, and his journey took a positive step when he managed to make it from lying on his back to sitting upright, something he hadn’t done for over three years. We hope this is the motivation James needs to make more steps in his weight loss journey!

Scroll through the gallery below to see what other stars from My 600-lb Life look like then and now!

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