Since 2012, TLC’s My 600-Lb Life has documented several shocking and inspirational weight loss stories that have resulted in some amazing before and after photos. The unscripted series follows participants as they undergo gastric bypass surgery to lose weight. But once their journey is over, fans are left wondering where they are now.
From memorable stars like Christina Phillips, who impressively shrank from 700 pounds to just 183, to infamous ones like Penny Saeger, who was criticized online for being “lazy” for not losing any weight, we checked in to see if the subjects have made any personal and physical progress since their show. Are they feeling happier and embracing a life with smaller portions — or have they stuck to their bad habits and still need to be cleaned in a kiddie pool? Although participants on the show expect gastric bypass surgery to be a magic wand that fixes all their issues, sometimes that doesn’t happen.
“You have to be mentally prepared for it, because it is a life-changing situation,” Season 4 patient Chad Dean said. “If you don’t change it, it’s not going to work for you,” he said. “The biggest change for me is to realize that I’m not that person any more — I’m 295 pounds now. I can fit in a chair at the doctor’s office, I can fit in a small vehicle, but in my mind I still feel like I can’t.”
Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, the show’s medical expert, says the weight loss process is as much a mental one as it is a physical one.
“Severe obesity is a complex physical and psychological condition with many components,” he previously explained. “Not realizing how much of their struggle is psychological and not just physical can be the biggest obstacle for change with patients. Many refuse to admit they have any emotional compulsions or compulsive psychological disorders driving them to overeat.”
Over the years, the reality series has done a lot to improve the lives of folks who have been burdened by extreme weight gain — so get ready to use up your tissue box over these transformations. Scroll through the gallery below to see photos of what the stars from the show look like today!