Joyce Del Viscovo debuted on My 600-Lb Life in 2020. At 44, she weighed over 750 pounds, making her one of the heaviest participants on the show. Standing at just 4’11,” Joyce struggled with mobility and required constant care. Her life had become so restricted that she hadn’t left her house in three years, relying on her friend to help her with basic tasks.
Her weight gain was rooted in childhood trauma. After her parents divorced, Joyce had emotional issues. They got worse when a stepbrother sexually abused her. By the age of 20, she already weighed 400 pounds. As an adult, her weight soared. So, she sought help from famed bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan.
However, Joyce’s time on the show was filled with setbacks. She struggled to follow Dr. Now’s 1,200-calorie diet. She often questioned the program’s effectiveness. She lost 134 pounds but quit after nine months. She was frustrated with the process. Dr. Now was disappointed, noting that Joyce’s reluctance to commit to the plan hindered her progress.
This took me out! Dr be tired of the lies😂😩🤣😭 #my600lblife pic.twitter.com/En0duMkj97
— 🤎💕NICOYA♈️ (@nicoyakind) February 13, 2020
My 600-Lb Life: Joyce Del Viscovo’s Post-Show Life
Since leaving My 600-Lb Life, Joyce Del Viscovo has remained largely out of the spotlight, avoiding social media and public appearances. Fans have expressed curiosity about her progress, but Joyce hasn’t appeared in a Where Are They Now? episode, and her absence from social media suggests she prefers to keep her life private.
Joyce’s journey on the show left many viewers skeptical about her ability to maintain her weight loss. She had shown resistance to Dr. Now’s advice and struggled with the emotional toll of her food addiction. Fans, disheartened by her attitude, expressed their doubts about her future success. Despite the criticism, Joyce has managed to make some positive changes in her life.
In 2022, Joyce shared an update that provided insight into her post-show progress. She now works for an insurance company. It is a big achievement, given her past limits. She also said she no longer needs daily meds for her lymphedema. It had once severely limited her mobility.
In a candid post, Joyce wrote: “I still struggle, but it is getting better. I now know strength from inside like no other. I don’t care if the public sees me as a success, I feel I am. I brought myself from dying to starting to gain my old life back.”
"Shut up and give me the food!" While Joyce and her caretakers know it's time to start eating healthier, they struggle with changing old habits. Follow the journey tonight at 8/7c on #My600lbLife. pic.twitter.com/ALc7VaXeI6
— TLC Network (@TLC) February 12, 2020
My 600-Lb Life: Did Joyce Achieve Her Goals?
Joyce Del Viscovo’s story didn’t end in the dramatic transformation many My 600-Lb Life participants experience. But, she has continued to fight for her health. At the end of her episode, Joyce weighed 623 pounds, having lost a total of 134 pounds. Though she didn’t reach the weight required for bariatric surgery, Joyce’s small victories have kept her moving forward.
Joyce has left Dr. Now’s program but still aims to lose weight, just more slowly. She openly talks about her challenges. Progress is slower than she hoped, yet each week gets better.
