Summary

• Stephanie's decision to opt out of Dr. Now's program shocked many, showcasing her struggles with weight loss and commitment.
• Family enabling hindered Stephanie's progress, highlighting how can sometimes be damaging rather than helpful.
• Stephanie's mysterious relationship status and lack of social media presence make it difficult to track her progress post-show.

Stephanie Smith’s inconclusive stint on My 600-lb Life season 11 raised questions, and it's time to talk about what she's doing after the show. During the March 8, 2023 episode of the series, fans met Stephanie, who was on the show to shed weight and change her life. Stephanie's issues with food addiction started when she was still a child. Back then, she would overeat at every opportunity. Her condition worsened after her parents' divorce, resulting in Stephanie turning to food as a coping mechanism. Things only deteriorated from then on, as her father died in an accident while he was still trying to work things out with her mom.

Stephanie’s desire to change her life inspired her to seek My 600-lb Life's Dr. Younan Nowzaradan's help and guidance. At the start of her episode, Stephanie weighed about 611 pounds, which meant that she was too heavy to qualify for a gastric by surgery. That type of procedure would help her to slim down. Nonetheless, with the of her mother and her two kids, Stephanie signed up for Dr. Now’s program. She was gradually making progress when she suddenly decided to opt out, to the surprise of many people.

My 600-Lb Life's Stephanie Said No To Dr. Now’s Program

Stephanie Gave Up On Her Weight Loss

For a long time, Dr. Now’s weight-loss diet plan has given morbidly obese people the tools they need to get their weight-loss journeys on track. However, after giving Stephanie a similar diet plan, the bariatric surgeon noticed no changes in her weight, which made him suspect that she had not been adhering to the diet. Surprisingly, by the end of the episode, Stephanie had blocked Dr. Now and refused to take his calls. She also wouldn't attend their scheduled appointments.

While some claim that Dr. Now's unconventional approach to addressing weight loss is too harsh, many argue that tough love is what these reality stars need. By the end of the episode, Stephanie revealed that she was opting out of the program, and accused Dr. Now of giving up on her. Her sudden change in attitude surprised many audiences.

My 600-Lb Life's Stephanie Was Constantly Being Enabled

Stephanie’s Family Did Not Push Her To Lose Weight

Throughout Stephanie’s journey on My 600-lb Life, her family was involved. From appearing during weigh-ins to accompanying her as she explained her weight stagnancy to Dr. Now, her family remained a throughline in all of her activities. With a son under her care, a weight of over 600 lbs, and an agonizing mass of lymphedema between her legs, this was no easy task. Stephanie’s mother and stepfather took on the responsibility of caring for her daily. While the family may have had good intentions, their involvement was more damaging than helpful for the woman's health progress.

Familial trauma is often a contributor to deteriorating mental and physical health, and many stars on My 600-lb Life recount their turbulent childhoods. Unfortunately, Stephanie is no exception. Following her parent's divorce, the introduction of her abusive stepfather, and her birth father's ing, Stephanie was immediately placed in foster care. Her health had already begun its decline as early as the marital problems. Once her mother entered back into her life, she attempted to make up for lost time by aiding Stephanie as much as possible. When asked about her daughter's health and her involvement, Stephanie's mother offered:

I don't want to do anything without her, so I don’t. I put my life on hold so she doesn’t feel bad.

It does not come as a surprise that her mother assisted with Stephanie’s daily tasks. She would take her shopping, pick up all of Stephanie’s favorite sweets, help to bathe her, prepare meals, and bring her snacks to bed. Her most recent stepfather did the same. He would make trips to the grocery store on her behalf, stop on several occasions for fast food during road trips, and consistently cook for her. With a system enabling her to maintain her weight, My 600-lb Life audiences were far from surprised when Stephanie gave up on her weight loss journey.

My 600-Lb Life's Stephanie Is Likely Married

Stephanie's Facebook Page Hints At A Relationship

According to TV Shows Ace, Stephanie has a Facebook page that is listed under a different last name. It indicates that she has been married since 2016. Shockingly, throughout her stint on the show, Stephanie never mentioned being married, and would constantly talk about how lonely she was. The Facebook page also reportedly features a picture of Stephanie cozied up with a man, and the word, “love” is written across that image. However, Looper notes that Stephanie's relationship status is set to "Separated."

My 600-Lb Life's Stephanie’s Progress Is Hard To Determine

Stephanie Has Not Been Active On Social Media

Unlike some My 600-lb Life stars, Stephanie does not have a recognized social media page. If she did, it would make it easier to track her progress on the show. However, according to TV Shows Ace, Stephanie posted a reel on her Facebook page in February 2023. In the clip, she claimed that she was moving forward with her weight loss goals, even though she feels that the whole world is seemingly against her. Meanwhile, nothing on the Facebook page suggests that Stephanie has made any significant progress since leaving the show.

Source: TV Shows Ace, Looper