'My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?' Season 9: How a stark warning forced JT Clark to lose over 600lbs
OWASSO, OKLAHOMA: JT Clark appears to be in a much better place now that he's had treatment from Dr Younan Nowzaradan, having shed almost 600 pounds. Even though the 'My 600-lb Life' star doesn't post much on social media, his current profile photo leads us to believe that he is doing better.
When JT updated his Facebook profile photo in March 2023, it was evident that he had shed further pounds, since his face seemed thinner and his jawline was much more defined. Afterward, JT revealed on Facebook in February 2024 that he was seeing Emily Mahan.
Who is JT Clark in 'My 600-lb Life'?
We met JT in Season 8, Episode 4, just when we thought things couldn't get much weirder on 'My 600-lb Life'. By the time JT left his residence in Oklahoma to go see Dr Now in Houston, he was almost nine hundred pounds.
JT is undoubtedly one of the heaviest patients to ever come under Dr Now's care on the show. However, it's important to note that JT also had severe lymphedema in his leg, which required him to carry an additional 100 pounds at the time of filming, bringing his total weight to 892 pounds.
What happened to JT Clark in 'My 600-lb Life'?
JT lived in his Oklahoman home that he shared with his dog and then-girlfriend Jessica. He was 32 years old (he is now 35) and had not worked since he was unable to stand up straight after gaining 700 pounds at the age of 25.
Jessica provided for the family and made sure JT was fed every day. More than any other patient we've seen on 'My 600-lb Life', JT was open about his severe food addiction and obsession.
He has earlier said, "Nothing in my life can compete with how food makes me feel." He further stated that "eating is better than sex for me, and every time I take a bite, it's like I'm transported to another world."
"I can't imagine my life without it because it is my life," JT said. "If I'm awake, I'm eating or waiting to eat, and if I'm sleeping, I'm dreaming of food."
How did JT Clark lose weight in 'My 600-lb Life'?
JT got to the point where he ate all the time. He realized that "at any moment [his] heart could just give out" since he weighed "so much [he could] hardly move."
That's what made him decide to visit Dr Now and embark on a terrifying road trip to Houston. In essence, Dr Now consented to treat him.
He suggested that JT move to Houston, since the constant back and forth was extremely taxing on his body and his lymphedema, which was a major concern for everyone. Since it was all too much for Jessica, she made the decision to end her relationship with JT and return to her normal life.
This meant that JT had to drop the remaining weight in order to have the gastric sleeve surgery, and his only sources of support would be Dr Now and a relative who visited him in the halfway house and rehab center in Houston before the procedure. After several serious conversations with Dr Now, JT underwent surgery at the conclusion of the 12-month trip and lost 373 pounds in total.
491 pounds was his final weigh-in weight. Following the operation and weight loss, JT's next goal was to have the massive tumor on his leg removed, which, according to Dr Now, should eliminate an additional 100 pounds.
JT's narrative continues in 'My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?', Season 9, Episode 5, even though we don't see it happen on the show. JT achieved a notable weight loss of 351 pounds a year and five months after visiting Dr Now, as seen by his look.
He was finally at the stage where he could have his lymphedema surgically treated, but COVID-19 shutdowns forced him to wait. However, that didn't stop him from continuing his weight loss efforts.
JT was prepared for surgery two years and nine months after his first appointment with Dr Now. JT couldn't wait to get the bulk removed from his leg, which was impeding his movement.
In February 2023, he shared the news on Facebook. He also requested transportation to Houston in post, and his uncle eventually gave it to him.
Before having surgery, JT weighed 357 pounds a few months earlier. Additionally, he lost another 80 pounds after his lymphedema was removed, 20 of which, according to Dr Now, were fluid.
That would place JT's weight somewhere around 277 pounds, based on our calculations.
'My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?' airs on TLC every Wednesday at 8 pm ET.