My 600-Lb Life is a popular reality TV show that chronicles the weight loss journeys of morbidly obese individuals seeking to change their lives. The show follows participants for a year as they undergo gastric bypass surgery and attempt to lose weight under the guidance of renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, aka “Dr. Now.”
Given the precarious health situations of many stars on My 600-Lb Life when they begin their journeys, viewer interest and concern over their fates is understandable. Some wonder just how dangerous the obesity levels followed on the show really are. So exactly how many My 600-Lb Life participants have actually died?
Obesity and Life Expectancy
To understand the mortality rates of My 600-Lb Life patients, it helps to first comprehend how obesity impacts lifespan and health overall. Extensive research clearly correlates higher body mass indexes with greater risks of developing potentially fatal illnesses like:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Liver and kidney disease
Individuals with BMIs in the “overweight” and “obese” categories have substantially higher chances of being diagnosed with and dying from those conditions. But the link grows even stronger the more a person’s BMI increases. This chart illustrates how climbing BMI numbers translate into greater mortality hazard ratios:
| BMI | Mortality Hazard Ratio |
|---|---|
| 20-24.9 (Normal) | 1.0 |
| 25-29.9 (Overweight) | 1.1 |
| 30-34.9 (Obese Class I) | 1.46 |
| 35-39.9 (Obese Class II) | 1.88 |
| >40 (Obese Class III) | 2.57 |
As the mortality hazard ratio increases exponentially with higher BMIs, extreme obesity poses severe threats to longevity. Individuals with BMIs surpassing 40 have triple the risk of dying compared to those at normal weights.
Given that My 600-Lb Life participants begin their journeys with BMIs from around 70 to over 100, they face staggering health hurdles. BMIs in the 70s equate to over 500 pounds typically. Far exceeding obesity cutoffs, such extreme weights compress vital organs, restrict breathing, strain the heart, and wreak havoc on all biological systems. Even walking and routine daily tasks become difficult or impossible. Without intervention, many individuals in these ranges only survive a few years.
Mortality Rates of My 600-Lb Life Subjects
My 600-Lb Life enters its 13th season in 2023. To date, the show has chronicled weight loss attempts of over 150 patients of Dr. Nowzaradan. These individuals seeking a last chance to reclaim their lives and mobility arrive in Houston from across the country.
Given the exceptional obesity levels and related health problems of My 600-Lb Life patients when they begin, mortality is sadly expected. According to official data compiled through summer 2022:
- At least 34 participants from the show have died
- The most common causes of death have been heart failure and sepsis
- 13 subjects passed away while still appearing on the program
- 21 died sometime after their episodes finished filming
Although these numbers may seem high, perspectives vary on what they mean for the success rate of My 600-Lb Life. On one hand, over 20% of participants dying represents a sobering statistic. But given their high initial BMIs and multiple severe medical ailments, some experts argue mortality could be even higher without Dr. Now’s involvement.
Noteworthy Deaths of My 600-Lb Life Patients
While any passing comes as sad news to loyal My 600-Lb Life viewers, some demises prove particularly shocking or thought-provoking. Here are some of the most prominent deaths so far:
Henry Foots
Texas native Henry Foots, who sought Dr. Now’s help in season 1, died of an illness related to obesity in 2013, just months after his episode aired. He was only 47 and left behind a wife and daughter. At 6’3″ and 750 pounds, Henry’s BMI neared 100 at his initial weigh-in. During filming, he lost 200 pounds. But post-surgery complications led to a major setback. Henry’s passing hit hard as the first My 600-Lb Life death.
Robert Buchel
New Jersey’s Robert Buchel remains one of the most popular My 600-Lb Life cast members ever. Viewers felt drawn to his personality and humor while watching his season 6 journey in 2017-18. Going from 842 pounds down to 542 pounds, Robert made stunning progress. But he shockingly died from a heart attack at age 41 soon after leaving the hospital, likely related to a lifelong obesity struggle.
Sean Milliken
At nearly 1,000 pounds, Sean Milliken held the distinction of the heaviest My 600-Lb Life participant ever. During his multi-season story arc, Sean dropped weight through surgery and better choices. But various setbacks kept him over 500 pounds. After moving to Texas in hopes Dr. Now could better assist him, Sean passed away at age 29 due to complications from an infection in 2019.
Coliesa McMillian
Fan favorite Coliesa McMillian’s death after her season 10 journey came as a major blow to series devotees. Despite early challenges that kept her over 600 pounds post-surgery, she became an inspiration through her perseverance, upbeat attitude, and commitment to family. After an emergency surgery resulted in sepsis, Coliesa died in 2020 at age 41. Her memorial service fittingly took place in a drive-through setting due to pandemic gathering restrictions.
Life Expectancy and Weight Loss Outcomes for My 600-Lb Life Patients
The average American life expectancy currently sits around 79 years. But My 600-Lb Life patients who start the program under age 50 typically face far shorter remaining lifespans if obesity persists. Without intervention, some may live only one to five more years due to their multiple related health crises.
Does weight loss surgery and lifestyle change buy them more time? While the show’s sample size is small, My 600-Lb Life mortality data and related obesity research suggests it can extend lives, but does not guarantee a normal lifespan:
- Average participant BMI drops from around 70 to the mid-30s post-surgery
- Those achieving 50% or more excess weight loss added 6 to 10 years to life expectancy
- Those losing less than 50% excess weight added 0 to 3 years
- Most reaches BMIs still in the “obese” range, carrying long-term health impacts
So while the odds improve through Dr. Now’s program, success largely depends on an individual’s ability to maintain dietary compliance and exercise discipline. Even after losing 200+ pounds, problems like excess skin can hamper mobility if not addressed.
Are More My 600-Lb Life Deaths Likely?
Given the extreme health trajectories of its participants, My 600-Lb Life will likely continue to experience participant deaths periodically. Some factors that may contribute to ongoing mortality include:
More Seasons = More Patients
My 600-Lb Life proves one of TLC’s most durable shows after over a decade on the air. Renewed again for 2023, the series has brought over 150 desperate individuals in front of Dr. Now so far. Each new batch of around 10-15 patients per season adds to the pool facing life-threatening obesity issues. The larger the cast size gets, the more deaths become statistically probable.
Repeat Patients
One interesting trend has been Dr. Now allowing more struggling previous patients to return and restart the program. But their first attempts often indicate challenges making and sustaining major lifestyle changes needed. Some repeat patients already faced brushes with mortality during prior seasons. So their odds of defying death decrease with each subsequent try.
Pandemic Impacts
My 600-Lb Life suspended production during the peak of Covid-19 shutdowns and patient isolation mandates. But the pandemic may still contribute to cast deaths in coming seasons through residual effects. Isolation enabled many participants to backslide on diets due to stress and lack of accountability. And some may have developed additional obesity-related health conditions during quarantine periods.
Can the Show Improve Participant Safety?
Given the high mortality rates to date, some My 600-Lb Life critics argue that Dr. Now and the show’s producers should provide more support systems. Suggestions include:
- Mandating mental health screenings
- Providing access to counselors and support groups
- Arranging physical therapy and aftercare
- Covering reconstructive surgery costs
- Developing nutrition and fitness plans
However, the show already connects patients with an array of resources to supplement Dr. Now’s care plan, including dieticians, life coaches, bariatric specific therapists, and support groups. The high-risk factors and lifelong habits of many participants sadly make lasting success a challenge. But the statistics indicate the program gives participants better odds than no intervention at all.
Conclusion
My 600-Lb Life tells dramatic stories of hardship and recovery attempt. But the morbidity rates also hammer home real risks of long-term obesity. Sustained BMI levels over 40 or 50 limit life expectancies severely without action. While neither Dr. Now nor the show can guarantee survival, they facilitate a path to possibility. Over 20 participants have sustained major weight loss, reversing diseases like diabetes in the process. For willing individuals, My 600-Lb Life provides a bridge from despair to hope.
