The Big Ward: Australia's Obesity Epidemic

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If miracle pills, diet fads and get-skinny-quick programs actually worked, everyone would be skinny or at the very least they'd be in better shape than they currently are. The Big Ward is Australia's version of Fat Doctor, My 600 Pound Life and reality shows. The series follows six individuals as they make a commitment to weight loss surgery but there's a lot that goes into it before they lay down on the table. People who aren't familiar with the different types of weight loss surgeries and the possible consequences that they have. The Big Ward talks about stomach stapling but it's more of a bariatric procedure. Having this surgery doesn't mean that you are going to lose weight simply by eating less – you need to exercise to help the process along and minimize the amount of skin that would need to get removed. This series does not candy-coat anything; you see the success stories as well as the failures. It shows the pre-surgery dieting and exercising as well as what years of overeating has done to internal organs because of stress, diabetes and accumulated fat. It's hard to watch some of the people backslide when they get an injury, haven't lost enough weight to get the surgery or have just given up. If you are morbidly obese this might be hard to watch without feeling some guilt. This is currently on Netflix and all of the episodes are commercial free and uncut. There are other programs available to watch if the subject of compulsive eating or weight loss surgery interests you. Currently The Big Ward has ten episodes from the first season. It isn't rated but there's no swearing; any nudity shown is during surgery or an exam.