Viewers of My 600-Lb Life rooted for Ryan Barkdoll. He began his weight loss journey with Dr. Younan Nowzaradan’s help. At 740 pounds, Ryan wanted to regain control of his life after years of food and drug addiction.
Ryan lived with his mother and her boyfriend in Montana. He wanted to be independent and start a family. However, the path to better health proved to be far more difficult than expected.
From an early age, Ryan faced numerous challenges. At 13, Ryan lost his grandfather. He then learned his addict father had died. This began his spiral into obesity.
By age 17, he weighed over 300 pounds and struggled with drug abuse. His troubled childhood caused his bad habits. So, he sought Dr. Now’s help.
Dr. Now placed Ryan on a strict 1,200-calorie, no-carb diet, but Ryan struggled to stick to the program.
Despite early signs of progress—he lost nearly 80 pounds—Ryan’s resistance to the plan, and his “cheat days,” caused him to fall short of Dr. Now’s expectations.
While Ryan showed signs of wanting to change, his journey was cut short, leaving many wondering what went wrong.
Ryan has a long journey ahead of him, and it's starting NOW on #My600lbLife! pic.twitter.com/KLeuAkNRxj
— TLC Network (@TLC) December 16, 2021
My 600-Lb Life: Ryan Barkdoll’s Decision to Quit the Program
Despite a promising start, Ryan Barkdoll’s time on My 600-Lb Life was marred by setbacks. After losing some initial weight, Ryan moved to Houston, Texas, to be closer to Dr. Now and complete the program.
But soon after, he began skipping in-person appointments. He then failed to meet the requirements for bariatric surgery. Eventually, Ryan stopped contacting Dr. Now altogether.
Fans were left shocked when, after 10 months, Ryan stepped away from the weight loss journey entirely. He lost his Houston apartment and returned to Montana, retreating from the spotlight.
His final moments on the show portrayed an emotionally distraught man. He sat in front of a plate of snacks. This image symbolized his ongoing struggles.
Ryan’s exit from the program worried viewers about his health. Meanwhile, his sudden social media silence sparked more speculation, leaving fans questioning his progress and future.
Let’s go Ryan!! You can do this!! #my600lblife pic.twitter.com/JWd2rn6jAu
— Frances Evans (FLE) (@friendlyfle) December 16, 2021
My 600-Lb Life: Where Is Ryan Barkdoll Now?
Since leaving My 600-Lb Life, Ryan Barkdoll has stayed out of the public eye. He was last known to be in Columbia Falls, Montana. He had returned there after leaving Houston.
Unlike some participants who share post-show updates, Ryan has remained silent. He has no social media or interviews to explain his situation.
Ryan’s exit from the program worried fans, but there’s no proof he’s dead. It’s unclear if he’s still working on his weight loss or facing ongoing struggles.
However, Ryan’s journey shows the tough battle against obesity. It reminds us that achieving wellness takes time and effort.
