“My 600-Lb Life”: Dr. Now Was Once Suspended – And How Does That Affect Surgeries on the Show?
Fans of My 600-Lb Life know Dr. Younan Nowzaradan — or simply Dr. Now — as the no-nonsense bariatric surgeon who helps patients change their lives. But behind the calm voice and tough love is a surprising past: Dr. Now was once suspended from practicing medicine, raising questions about how this may have affected the show and its patients.
The Suspension That Shocked Viewers
Dr. Now’s suspension wasn’t widely known until court records surfaced online. In 2007, the Texas Medical Board temporarily suspended his medical license following allegations involving improper surgical practices — including claims that he operated on the wrong body part in one case.
Though the suspension was lifted and he was later cleared to practice again, the controversy sparked concern: Was the man viewers trusted with life-or-death decisions truly flawless behind the scenes?
The incident never aired on My 600-Lb Life, and TLC has remained silent about the disciplinary history.
Does This Affect the Surgeries on the Show?
Despite the suspension in the past, Dr. Now has continued to perform surgeries on the series without interruption. However, critics argue that patients deserve transparency, especially since many arrive in critical health conditions and put total trust in him.
Some online commenters even speculated whether the show’s legal team and TLC producers have specific contracts shielding them from liability — or if patients are informed of Dr. Now’s history before agreeing to be filmed. “Reality TV doesn’t mean skipping real-life accountability,” one fan wrote on Reddit.
“Why wasn’t this ever addressed?”
Still, many supporters believe his decades of experience outweigh a past error that he moved on from.
Dr. Now’s Response & Ongoing Career
Dr. Now has never publicly addressed the suspension in detail, but he continues to share motivational content and weight loss education through social media. In interviews, he’s emphasized the difficulty of his work, especially when dealing with extreme obesity and emotional trauma.
Despite the past, he remains one of the most recognizable faces in bariatric surgery — with a dedicated following and a reputation for tough love.
But the bigger question remains:
Should fans and patients have been told — and does it change the way we view the show?
