Dr. Oz's Life-Saving Intervention With a 700-Pound Woman

Posted on Mar 1st 2011 11:00AM by Kimberly Papa

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment

Barbara Nitke, Sony Pictures Television

Dr. Oz has been sharing weight loss advice with his audience for years. Now, one viewer is getting some very special attention from America's favorite doctor. At 700 pounds, 31-year-old Colleen Williams signed up for the "Move It and Lose It" challenge on "The Dr. Oz Show" earlier this year. Touched by her story, Dr. Oz flew out to her hometown in Phoenix to get her started on a life-saving weight loss journey. "She is a wonderful woman but was powerless to change," Dr. Oz told That's Fit.

Dr. Oz hooked Williams up with a team of experts at Arizona Weight Loss Solutions who will guide her through the process of losing the weight she so desperately needs to.

"Before we gave her the food and exercise plan, we needed to get to the why," Dr. Oz said. "Food numbs pain, and it's the No. 1 reason we overeat in America. Colleen had all kinds of challenges -- like we all have -- that made her feel a deep emptiness inside, and she filled it with food."

As part of Williams' treatment, Dr. Oz flew Williams to New York just a few weeks ago to get her blood work. "At 31, she had never had any medical test done in her adult life," he said. "She had never let anyone under her skin, but figuratively and literally, and hid behind that fat. We took her to the doctor's office and went through an hour-long battle to get her blood drawn -- as much as she knew she needed to know the numbers. When she finally allowed us to draw blood, it was a very emotional moment."

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

cms 3-01-2011 @ 3:04PM

I agree with you that our government does do alot to enable people, but they are stuck in a situation. And there is a thing called humanity. I would venture to say you are not sure what this word means. I also would be inclined to say that you have never suffered a weight problem and I am very glad that haven't. Being over weight or having an issue with food addiction is a very horrible thing to overcome. So is the mental and emotional anguish. So until you have walked in her life or been on the journey this poor woman has endured you are not GOD!!

Anne 3-01-2011 @ 3:06PM

I am fat and work EVERYDAY as a nurse. In fact be careful who you hate on cookie, we might one day have to be cleaning you up from a car accident of something. You are mental and need help. Get rid of judgment and hate cookie, it eats you from the inside out.

Gerald Douglas 3-01-2011 @ 2:20PM

How can a 700 pound woman be empty inside? At 700 pounds she appears to be extremely full!

margie 3-01-2011 @ 3:24PM

You think you are funny but you are not!! You are just a jerk!!

Sewinmom 3-01-2011 @ 3:57PM

There isn't a scale of any kind that could measure your cruel statement.

Guest 3-01-2011 @ 4:04PM

Right about that, bet she stunk too.

Sissie 3-01-2011 @ 4:52PM

You are jerk.....

Lee 3-01-2011 @ 4:57PM

This is no time to be glib. This woman clearly needs help and making snotty remarks such as this do nothing but make her feel worse.

J.E.B. 3-01-2011 @ 5:18PM

Well said, Gerald!

Elsi 3-01-2011 @ 8:06PM

Ah, you are so funny! Made me laugh, but I am still trying to think of something to eat that tastes good w/o the calories!!!!!

Carole 3-01-2011 @ 9:44PM

Same on all of you who are making fun and light of this young woman's situation...I pray that you never have an eating problem either anorexic or totally the other way as she unfortunately went..Eating and not being full so you eat more..

Not everybody is the epitome of thiness as I am sure you all are...OR WISH you were...

As for her being a victim? She is..whether because of outside factors OR her own emotional factor...Either way she is a victim...But you wait till she gets down to a healthy size...She will never be a victim again...

NOBODY wants to be obese. These people just find them selves there..and they don't know how to get it off...Everything they do...tells them they are loser's so why even try. There is sooooo much weight that they feel totally helpless...They understand when you lose it isn't going to happen overnight same as the weight didn't appear overnight...It takes a lot of fortitude and encouragement for these men and women to be successful 'weight losers' and ultimately with the weight loss 'SUCCESSES'..And they will have a totally different mindset when they see that it is possible...They can regain their independance, their emotional health, their pride in a job well done...That alot of people who only have 20 lbs to lose just don't seem to be able to do it...diet after diet..AND WHEN THIS YOUNG WOMAN succeeds..She will NEVER make fun of those who arenb't what they should be size wise...like some of you on this post thread...NO I AM NOT OVERWEIGHT...But I do have understanding of the situation...Try to be a bit more compassionate...

JF 3-01-2011 @ 9:50PM

It is hurtful comments such as this - that scorn those who are overweight. I dare you not to judge - unless you have lived her life - she needs support - rather than rude remarks.

Rose 3-02-2011 @ 6:52AM

to gerald and the guest who said "bet she stunk too" ...... i bet you both are really UGLY - inside and out, soooo ugly that women find you repulsive and stink ...... all the ugliness you have on the inside dictates the persons you are outwardly. if you wanna get pretty, start treating other people with respect! show some empathy for this women ... she needs help. ohhh and don't bother replying in order to redeem yourselves becos we all know that what i say is the truth ... Losers!

Her Aunt 3-02-2011 @ 8:49AM

to you Gerald and "guest"...... your not God so don't judge!!! You are both mean and nasty and probably ugly and alone!!!

prissy 3-07-2011 @ 6:39PM

This comment is totally un-called for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom Bruce 3-01-2011 @ 2:19PM

Apparently, the writer of this story never heard the golden rule: "A preposition is the wrong thing to end a sentence with." Beyond that annoyance, good story and good luck to Colleen. Seems like a sweet lass.

C 3-02-2011 @ 10:59PM

With which to end a sentence?

Rebecca 3-01-2011 @ 2:35PM

My heart goes out to her! I was morbidly obese my whole life! I would go to weight watcher, get the weight off and gain it back plus more. This woman probably doesn't have the option I decided on. Several years ago my husband got new insurance and so I was able to have a gastric by pass. I know it is not the popular thing to do, but it was what I needed. I will never regret it. I have gone down from almost 300 lbs to a little over 130 lbs, and I am convinced I am still here today because of it. Not everyone can go this route so I pray for this lovely woman to get all the help she needs. Honey you are NO LESS valuable because you are overweight. God loves you for who you are... Good luck and I will pray for you that you get help that changes your life
and gives you longer life and good health. Thank you Dr. Oz for giving this woman your help and honey, you can do this. God Bless you!

Claris 3-01-2011 @ 5:34PM

All humans are created by God, and God does not make junk. We all have challenges in our life, hope all goes well and a new life is waiting for you.

frenlyfyre 3-01-2011 @ 7:47PM

Rebecca...God didn't bring her into the world weighing 700lbs! She did it to herself - I battle my weight all the time, but now I don't feel so badly about weighing 165!!!