My 600-Lb Life star Dr. Nowzaradan, or Dr. Now as he is best known, set the record straight after false reports surfaced claiming the doctor had died.
As the title suggests, the hit TLC show documents the weight loss journeys of individuals who weigh over 600 pounds as they try to get their health back on track. To do so, these individuals enroll themselves in a year-long program through Dr. Now’s clinic where they receive bariatric surgery, are put on a highly restrictive diet and are encouraged to get active.
Over the show’s nine years on the network, Dr. Now has helped many patients along their journey, many of whom have seen long-term success with surgery, diet, and exercise.
So, it was shocking to fans when rumors began swirling that the 76-year-old surgeon had died.
Thankfully, the rumors weren’t true and Dr. Now took to his Instagram account to assure fans that he is alive and well.
Dr. Now says the rumors of his death are ‘false headlines’
Dr. Now released a statement via Instagram to inform his fans that there was no truth to the rumor.
The caption, added to a picture of Dr. Now standing in an elevator smiling, began, “Thank you for the outpouring of concern!”
The surgeon then put the rumors to rest, confirming that not only is he still alive, but he’s also continuing his mission to help his patients live their best lives.
“I am definitely alive and well and still working to reverse obesity,” he continued.
According to Dr. Now, his office at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston, Texas, received several calls from concerned individuals inquiring about the doctor’s wellbeing. While the rumors and headlines may be concerning to his fans, Dr. Now says that he’s used to these types of false reports and that he refuses to allow them to stop him from continuing to help people.
“Today I am doing surgery and my office has informed me we have received many calls asking about me since there are false headlines & rumors of my passing. I can assure you these headlines are false. In fact, there are many false headlines out there about me, but these are the common tides we navigate and one must keep doing the work we are meant to do,” he wrote.
Dr. Now concluded the caption by asking his fans and followers to do their part in helping to prevent the spread of false rumors like that of his death.
He wrote, “Please spread the word to ensure the truth prevails. Take care #drnowmd #drnowzaradan #my600lblife #weightlosssurgery #reverseonesity.”
My 600-Lb Life continues to help patients
Premiering in 2012, My 600-Lb Life has chronicled dozens of stories as Dr. Now attempts to help his patients navigate weight loss and turn their lives around.
Sisters, Kandi and Brandi Dreier, for example, were featured in Season 5 of the show. While they both experienced their own set of challenges, including codependency with one another, both sisters were able to maintain the majority of their weight loss and have gone on to live their lives.
However, for others, the journey continues and remains a struggle. Michael Blair took to his Facebook after fans called him out for being wasteful in his attempt to alter his relationship with food.
The false reports of Dr. Now’s death may have been shocking, but thankfully, not only is he alive, but he plans to continue changing lives.
My 600-Lb Life airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on TLC.