JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Viewers who know Dr. Charles Procter from TLC’s hit shows 1000-Lb. Sisters and 1000-Lb. Best Friends will see a new side of the bariatric surgeon in his latest series, Dangerously Obese.
This time, Procter says the focus isn’t on spectacle — it’s on science, empathy, and the deeply personal “why” behind every patient’s struggle.
“This show is less about the spectacle and more about the science,” Procter said. “We’re able to get out of the operating room, out of the office, a little bit, delve into the personal lives of each one of these patients and really understand their why behind why they want to make this massive transformation in their lives.”
The series follows patients whose extreme obesity has left them fighting for their lives — physically and emotionally. Procter, who has performed thousands of weight-loss surgeries, said Dangerously Obese dives into what happens beyond the operation table.
“People think surgery is the big moment, but it’s really just the beginning,” he said. “The hardest part starts when patients go home. They have to navigate life after years of being trapped in their own bodies.”
Procter said his goal has always been to replace judgment with understanding — and hope.
“When I was first approached about doing television, I didn’t want to make a spectacle of my patients,” he said. “But what I saw was people who thought there was no hope for them finally seeing hope. Then they became the inspiration for countless others.”
Each episode of Dangerously Obese explores the psychological and emotional challenges patients face while reshaping their bodies — and their lives. Procter said viewers will see raw, human moments, including a powerful mother-daughter story in the premiere episode.
“You’ll see two people who’ve become codependent on each other, and to what degree that’s affected their family,” he said. “The emotional and psychological change they go through will be eye-opening.”
Procter also wants to challenge one of the most damaging myths about obesity.
“People think obesity is just about eating less and moving more,” he said. “But body fat is controlled internally — your body fights to return to its set point. This is not a lifestyle choice or a lack of willpower. It’s a disease that takes science and understanding to treat.”
Despite the difficult subject matter, Procter said what keeps him motivated after all these years is simple — his patients.
“Everybody walks in with the same problem, but a different story,” he said. “That transformation we see every day — it never gets old.”
Dangerously Obese is now streaming on TLC.