'My 600-Lb Life' Is Back for Season 12: Meet the New Patients

For more than a decade, TLC's hit reality series My 600-Lb Life has captivated audiences with its raw and intimate portrayal of individuals struggling with living in larger bodies. As the show gears up for its highly anticipated 12th season, viewers can expect another collection of stories that highlight the resilience of the human spirit.

With each of the season's seven episodes, viewers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster, witnessing the physical and emotional challenges faced by one of Dr. Younan Nowzaradan's patients as they embark on what they hope to be a life-changing journey. From the initial consultation to the weight loss process and, for some, the potentially life-altering bariatric surgery, the series offers an unfiltered look at the determination and perseverance required to travel that path.

Read on for everything there is to know about My 600-Lb Life Season 12, including cast, release date and trailer, and other FAQs about the show.

Is there a new season of My 600-Lb Life in 2024?

TLC officially greenlit My 600-Lb Life for a 12th season, and it's scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Fans of the long-running series can look forward to another emotional and transformative batch of episodes.

Related: '1000-Lb Sisters' Star Tammy Slaton Shocks Fans With New Photos Flaunting 'Amazing' Weight Loss

What is the release date for My 600-Lb Life Season 12?

My 600-Lb Life Season 12 will premiere on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET on TLC. The show will also be available to stream on Max.

Who is in the My 600-Lb Life Season 12 cast?

The show's 12th season chronicles seven people's journeys as they seek help from Dr. Nowzaradan aka "Dr. Now." They are:

Krystal S.

According to TLC's bio, "Krystal S. has finally met the man of her dreams, but she won’t let herself marry him until she can be sure that she won’t become bedridden and force him into the role of caretaker." Her episode airs March 6.

William

According to TLC's bio, "William was always mobile and fairly athletic—that is, until he wasn’t. It’s been years now since a knee injury derailed his sports career, and he’s ballooned up over 600 lbs. Now to lose weight he’ll have to face how bad it’s gotten." His episode airs March 13.

Delana

According to TLC's bio, "When a regular trip to the grocery store turns into an emergency for the EMTs, Delana must admit how badly she needs Dr. Now’s help to lose weight. Hopefully her road to recovery will also lead her to reconcile with the daughter she’s grown apart from due to her weight gain." Her episode airs March 20.

Abi

According to TLC's bio, "Abi struggled with his weight before a fluke accident left him unable to move his legs. Now bedbound for the last seven years, his weight has topped at 700 lbs. Abi’s only hope to have a future with his wife is to get Dr. Now’s help to lose the weight and find a way to stand up for himself." His episode airs March 27.

Rose

According to TLC's bio, "At age 58, Rose had given up on life and was eating herself to death. But her family needed her too much to let her go. Now she has more than 400 lbs. to lose if she wants to get healthy for them and for herself, and she’ll do it if it’s the last thing she does." Her episode airs April 3.

Shakyia

According to TLC's bio, "Shakyia always struggled with her weight, but now that she has stopped leaving the house, her weight has skyrocketed. Her older sister rallies her to Houston to meet Dr. Now, but things only get harder when her mom stops caring for her." Her episode airs April 10.

Charles

According to TLC's bio, "Charles is a recovering drug addict who now has a new addiction: food. Now his BMI is over a hundred and he can’t stop eating. He needs Dr. Now’s help, but with his brother doing everything for him, is he too comfortable to make the trek to Houston?" His episode airs April 17.

Is there a trailer for My 600-Lb Life Season 12?

Yes. The Season 12 teaser features several new cast members sharing painful statements and expressing their desire for help. "As soon as I sit up, the pain is gonna start," one person says. "I've been lying in this bed for seven years," another reveals. The clip gives a glimpse into the work they're going to do with Dr. Nowzaradan, and the challenges they'll face along the way.

How to watch My 600-Lb Life

My 600-Lb Life Season 12 airs on TLC, the network that has been home to the series since its inception. Viewers can also stream the show on Max.

How much of My 600-Lb Life is staged?

While the show's producers undoubtedly employ certain reality TV editing tactics, such as reshooting scenes and crafting dialogue or voiceovers to shape the narratives, the core premise of following real people's weight loss journeys remains authentic. Former cast member Steven Assanti, who appeared in Season 1, stated that there is no acting involved, although he acknowledged that producers sometimes asked them to reshoot scenes.

Do the people on My 600-Lb Life get paid to be on the show?

According to Starcasm, each cast member gets a flat $1,500 appearance fee, often referred to as a "talent fee," that covers the roughly 12-month shooting schedule for each episode. Other reports suggest that the patients get up to $4,000 and are also allotted a $2,500 relocation fee if they have to move for the show. However, these numbers are unsubstantiated and have not been confirmed by TLC.

Does My 600-Lb. Life pay for surgery?

It is widely believed that the show covers the costs incurred during the surgeries for its participants, including the visits to Dr. Now, the surgeries themselves (presumably if they aren't covered by Medicaid or another health insurance) and any necessary hospital stays. The cost of this care can be upwards of $25,000. Again, however, this has not been confirmed by a reputable source or TLC itself.

Who was the heaviest person on My 600-Lb. Life?

Sean Milliken, who appeared on the show in Season 4, became known as "the heaviest man alive" after reaching a weight of more than 1,000 pounds at his largest. Sadly, Milliken died in February 2019 at the age of 29, after being admitted to the hospital with an infection. While hospital staff managed to temporarily revive him, his heart ultimately failed shortly thereafter, leading to his death.

Related: Sean Milliken of TLC's 'My 600-LB Life' Dead at 29

Who lost the most weight on My 600-Lb. Life?

Season 4 star Milla Clarke holds the record for the most weight lost on the show, losing 596 pounds through her participation in Dr. Nowzaradan's program.

What happened to Melissa from the first episode of My 600-Lb. Life?

Melissa Morris, featured in the very first episode of My 600-Lb. Life Season 1, was initially successful in her weight loss journey, dropping from 653 pounds to 157 pounds by the end of her episode. However, she faced challenges in maintaining her new weight after becoming pregnant and giving birth to three children, Allona, Elijah and Austin, with her then-husband, Chris. The couple eventually divorced, and Melissa remains a proud mom to her three kids.

Next, ‘1000-Lb Sisters’ Star Tammy Slaton ‘Looking So Good’ in Latest Full-Body Selfie