My 600-Lb Life season 13 episode 2 recap: Krystal Armintor's weight loss journey with Dr. Nowzaradan

The second episode of My 600-Lb Life season 13 aired on January 8, 2025, on TLC. It introduced the viewers to Krystal Armintor, a 36-year-old from Pasadena, Texas, who was determined to change her life. Krystal’s story highlighted her struggles of living at over 600 pounds. She opened up about enduring constant pain, saying it made her feel like she was 80 years old.

With the support of her husband, Mark, Krystal embarked on a journey to seek help from Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, renowned for his work in bariatric surgery. Krystal described her relationship with food as both an expression of love and a "double-edged sword."

Her upbringing played a significant role in shaping her habits—raised by her grandmother after her parents’ absence, she found solace and comfort in food. At her first appointment with Dr. Now, Krystal weighed 592 pounds, already down from her previous high of 620.

Over the course of the episode, Krystal took crucial steps to achieve her weight loss goals, including surgery. By the end of her episode in My 600-Lb Life, Krystal had lost 170 pounds.

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Overcoming challenges and taking first steps in My 600-Lb Life

Krystal Armintor’s journey toward transformation began with her decision to seek help from Dr. Nowzaradan in My 600-Lb Life. At her first appointment, she weighed 592 pounds, having already lost 28 pounds on her own. Despite this progress, Dr. Now said:

“Your BMI is over 100, which is one of the highest we’ve seen.”

He set a goal for Krystal to lose 60 pounds in two months, saying that weight loss surgery would only be an option if she demonstrated consistent commitment. Although Krystal managed to lose 45 pounds, she fell short of the target. Dr. Now remarked:

“You’ve done well, but this is not where you need to be yet.”

Krystal began making significant changes to her lifestyle, supported by her husband Mark. She started regular workouts, including treadmill sessions, and adopted healthier eating habits. She persisted despite challenges such as dealing with bronchitis.

At her second follow-up, she had lost 36 pounds, bringing her total weight to 512 pounds. Dr. Now approved her for surgery, acknowledging her efforts. The gastric sleeve surgery was a pivotal moment for Krystal.

“We’ve removed 85% of your stomach, which will help you control your eating,” Dr. Now explained.

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Krsytal dealing with emotional trauma and continuing the journey

In addition to her physical transformation, Krystal sought psychological help to address the trauma rooted in her past in this episode of My 600-Lb Life. During her session with Dr. Matthew Paradise, she opened up about her difficult childhood, sharing that her mother was an addict and her father a "career criminal."

Raised by her grandmother, Krystal found comfort in food, as it symbolized love and acceptance during her early years. She also revealed that at the age of 14, she was impregnated by a much older man, and gave birth to her daughter.

Dr. Paradise encouraged Krystal to focus on breaking the cycle for the sake of her daughter, Korigan.

"The single best thing you can do for your daughter is to be healthy," he said.

Her daughter also visited to check on her. By the end of the episode, Krystal had achieved a total weight loss of 170 pounds, weighing 422 pounds. Determined to keep progressing, she joined a martial arts gym to maintain her fitness routine.

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Watch the new episodes of My 600-Lb Life, airing every Wednesday on TLC.