My 600-lb Life: Where Is Bethany Stout, The Star Of ‘My 600-lb Life,’ Now?

Bethany’s been overweight since she was a little girl. Since her parents “weren’t around much”, her grandmother intervened to raise her. “She definitely made sure I was always fed,” notes Bethany Stout.

Things were “very bad when I was 12,” she explains. “That’s when [the food] became this thing in life as it is now, where I have to have it.” Her health, however, reached the limit when she was 13. At that time she weighed almost 130 kilos, and two years later, at 15, she had reached 400.

During tough relationships, her anxiety and depression worsened. This led to using food as a coping mechanism. Bethany, at 21, had her first daughter, Isabella, with Sheldon. Being a new mom eased her food struggles.

Bethany explains how she went back to school to finish her degree, then took a master’s degree and eventually started a treatment center for people with drug and alcohol addiction.

During these six years when her main focus was on her career, Bethany’s weight was under control and she stopped increasing.

But all that changed when the couple had their second daughter, Zowie, and Bethany suffered from severe postpartum depression. “Once again, where I found comfort was food,” she complains.

“My addiction to food makes me feel like I’m on this island all alone,” she says before her first visit to Dr. Now’s office in Houston.

“It already took my ability to function, my job, my family, practically everything.” The only thing left is for me to physically take my own life,” he says.

Her eldest daughter, Isabella, simply wants her mom to be normal again. She’s been running the household, looking after her, and handling all the chores.

My 600-lb Life: Where Is Bethany, The Star Of ‘My 600-lb Life,’ Now?

Once Bethany Stout sees Dr. Now, she notices something about his approach. “He believes in a magic solution,” the bariatric surgeon notes. We hoped Bethany would prove him wrong, but Dr. Now was right.

First, she sheds 69 kilos for surgery approval, then another 30 after. Despite progress, Dr. Now isn’t content with her weight loss pace. He pushes for more rapid weight loss post-surgery, urging psychotherapy for her food addiction roots. Bethany refuses therapy, staying firm in her decision.

She reveals her frustration, expecting an easier journey post-surgery. “I thought it would curb cravings,” she laments. Dr. Now reminds her of his warnings.

Struggling with Dr. Now’s demands, Bethany quits treatment post-surgery. Despite financial therapy support, she avoids addressing emotional issues. Dr. Now warns of potential health risks.

“I’m not gonna get what I need from the program,” Bethany explains. “I’m still going to lose weight and get the life I want for me and my family, no matter how hard it is or how long it takes,” are her last words on the program.