Fats are barely paid for appearing on My 600 Lb Life. I just watched Nicole's story and after seeing how much they struggled to find a place to rent and the like, I decided to do some research. I had always assumed the show paid for the trip, the surgery, the hotel, etc. But it appears that isn't the case. According to this forum: http://forums.previously.tv/topic/54458-s05e09-nicoles-story/?page=8 the fats are paid $4000 to cover the move and expenses associated with that, and of course the show covers the surgery as well. But that's it. Apparently you can watch "supersized" versions of the episodes which give you more information on the people, so I am assuming those episodes go into more detail on how the show works as well. Okay, now for the fat hate. These people are seriously willing to be humiliated on TV for so little? Just to have surgery for free instead of dieting and moving around more on their own? Think about how much you'd have to be paid to appear nude on TV, struggling to wash yourself in the shower? Or even worse, appearing on TV with someone else having to shower or bathe you because you're so huge you can do nothing for yourself? Think of all the times these hams have exposed their privates to the cameras. Think of all the times they've allowed themselves to be shown while someone else had to wipe their asses.  I'm sure it varies from person to person how much is left of the $4000 after the trip and the expenses associated with that, but even if it was $4000 for the trip and then an extra $4000 just to pay you for appearing on the show, I wouldn't do it. My dignity isn't worth that. But then again I am a normal sized person. We've seen again and again these planets have no room for shame. Just imagine agreeing to appear on TV and be humiliated like that for free surgery and $4000 (travel expenses to be taken out of that) instead of just putting the fork down and getting your huge ass off the bed.