20 February 2023 , 23:49
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Pauline Potter had to rely on a motorised scooter to get around after reaching 50 stone (700lb), but she's now transformed her life and lost more than half her body weight.
The My 600lb Life star challenged herself to reach 50 stone after her husband admitted he was attracted to larger women, but she was in disbelief after entering the Guinness Book of Records as the World's Heaviest Living Woman.
"I thought if I contacted them and put myself out there, someone might be able to help me.
"When they got back to me to say I’d been recognised as the world’s fattest woman I was shocked," Pauline said after breaking the record in 2012.
The TLC reality star admitted she was once obsessed with her large size, but said it eventually went too far.
My 600lb Life star unveils 40 stone weight loss after being unable to stand up
Pauline Potter was once crowned the World's Heaviest Living Woman (TLC)"I used to love being big, but it went too far. It’s too difficult for me to even get up now. Someone has to pull my head while I rock myself into a standing position," she said before her weight loss.
Pauline added: "I have a walk-in bath and I sit on a stool with a flexible shower head on a lead. There’s a lot of work involved. With lots of rolls of flesh you can get infection in the folds.
"To prevent this, I wash every day, dry myself thoroughly and then rub corn starch into the folds around my stomach and behind my knees.
"My son has to help me when there are areas I can’t reach."
Pauline weighed 50 stone (Barcroft)
She relied heavily on her son (Barcroft)Pauline met her husband Alex online in 2002, when she weighed 43 stone. She started to pile on more weight because he liked the way it looked.
The pair got married in Las Vegas on Valentine's Day 2003, but they eventually split, leaving Pauline's son Dillon to care for her.
However, she eventually turned her life around after appearing on My 600lb Life and undergoing an intense weight-loss programme.
The star was helped by Dr Nowzaradan on the show and he's since taken to Instagram to share her progress, after she lost more than 35 stone (500lb).
Pauline has transformed her life (Facebook)
She's lost so much weight (Facebook)Captioning the post, Dr Now wrote: "I am very proud of the commitment and progress Pauline has made.
"When a patient wants to work with me to loose over 500 pounds, the first step is understanding their belief in the "power of commitment" to achieve their weight loss goals.
My 600lb Life star 'confined to bed' looks different after dramatic weight loss
"Weight loss surgery should not be viewed as a quick fix. It is a tool to help support you in your weight loss journey."
He added that results are "inspiring" when people "commit to making life changes" and "continue to invest in yourself".
Fans offered their congratulations to Pauline, with one person commenting: "Pauline is literally one of my faves and just got done watching her, again. I am so glad for this post! Pauline you go girl!"
Another said: "Wow!!! I'm so proud and happy for her. She came a long way."