TLC DOCUMENTS HEARTWRENCHING JOURNEYS OF ADDICTION, SHAME AND DETERMINATION IN NEW SEASON OF "MY 600-LB LIFE"

Fifth season premieres Wednesday, January 4th at 8/7c

For some, looking in the mirror forces them to face their whole life of struggle through the lens of their physical appearance and just making it through another day is a triumph. Returning for its fifth season on Wednesday, January 4 at 8/7c, TLC's hit series MY 600-LB LIFE tells powerful stories of morbidly obese individuals - many who are home bound, relying on care just to live day-to-day as they make the courageous decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery.

The popular series documents the life-saving but traumatic experience of surgery, the ups and downs of struggling with addiction and dependence and the inevitable impact that change has on personal relationships. The upcoming 14 episode season will feature two-hour episodes detailing what led these people to this point, their journey to surgery with Dr. Younan Nowzaradan and the aftermath.

The premiere episode features 29 year-old identical twin sisters Brandi, 575-lbs, and Kandi, 604-lbs, who are each other's whole support system, but enable one another at the same time. Raised in a chaotic household with alcoholic parents, the sisters quickly learned at a young age that they could only count on each other. With only food to make life better, they built an insular world sharing everything - even a bed. They care for each other - but at the same time cause one another to continue their unhealthy and deadly lifestyle.

Also coming up this season, we'll meet Tracey, a 44 year-old woman weighing over 600-lbs, and plagued with an extreme disfiguring of her legs that's transformed them into weighing over 150-lbs each; James, 800-lbs, who has become entirely bed-bound after once being an avid outdoorsman and active father; brothers Steven, 34 years-old and 787-lbs, and Justin, 27 years-old and 540-lbs, who started to gain weight when their parents divorced.

MY 600-LB LIFE is produced by Megalomedia for TLC. Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #My600lbLife and watch more video on TLC.com/My600lbLife.

ABOUT TLC

Offering remarkable real-life stories without judgment, TLC shares everyday heart, humor, hope, and human connection with programming genres that include fascinating families, heartwarming transformations, and life's milestone moments. In 2016 to-date, TLC is the #10 ad-supported cable network in delivery among W25-54.

TLC is a global brand available in more than 91 million homes in the US and 325 million households in 220 countries and territories. Viewers can enjoy their favorite shows anytime, anywhere through TLCgo - the network's TVE offering featuring live and on demand access to complete seasons. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites and exclusive original video content. Fans can also interact with TLC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), reaching 3 billion cumulative viewers in 220 countries and territories to satisfy curiosity and engage superfans with a portfolio of premium nonfiction, sports and kids programming brands.