What happened to Karen Suffern of My 600-Lb Life season 13? Details explored

Karen Suffern’s journey on My 600-Lb Life was featured in season 13 episode 3, which aired on January 15, 2025. A resident of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Karen shared her challenges with weight loss, emotional eating, and health struggles during the episode.

At the time of filming, Karen weighed over 600 pounds and found it difficult to perform basic tasks, including walking short distances. Seeking help, Karen reached out to bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan in Houston, Texas. '

Due to her agoraphobia, Karen couldn’t travel to Dr. Now’s clinic and had to rely on home weigh-ins and virtual consultations. Her story shed light on her personal struggles and her efforts to address past trauma while working on weight loss.

During this episode of My 600-Lb Life, Karen initially made progress by losing 52 pounds but later decided to leave the program before reaching her long-term goals.

---

Karen Suffern’s weight loss journey on the show My 600-Lb Life

Karen Suffern began her episode by sharing that emotional eating had become her way of coping with anxiety and past trauma. She mentioned constantly thinking about food and described it as her method of managing difficult emotions.

Although she estimated her weight to be in the high 600s, her first official weigh-in at home showed 604 pounds.

In a confessional, Karen said,

"My children, they do try making things easier for me."

Her son Ryan shared during a confessional that he had begun to view her more as an individual rather than solely as his mother. He also mentioned making an effort to support her throughout her journey.

Dr. Now provided Karen with a weight loss plan and advised her to visit a local clinic for follow-ups. However, due to her fear of leaving the house, she opted for at-home weigh-ins conducted by a nurse practitioner.

Several home weigh-ins later, and Suffern was down to 572 pounds, although she insisted the scale was malfunctioning. She decided to forgo Dr. Now's help at that point; her final recorded weight on the show was 552 pounds.

Despite this progress, Karen expressed doubts about the program.

“I don’t think the scale is accurate,” she shared, leading to her decision to forgo further assistance.

Karen’s consultations with psychologist Dr. Matthew Paradise were a key part of her treatment, helping her confront the emotional factors contributing to her weight. These sessions provided her with tools to address her past trauma and anxiety, although the journey was not over in My 600-Lb Life.

---

How is Karen Suffern doing now?

Since her episode aired, there have been no public updates on Karen’s weight loss journey or health progress. Karen has not shared recent photos or milestones on social media, leaving fans uncertain about her current status. Her last known public post was a close-up selfie shared in February 2024.

In her final weigh-in on My 600-Lb Life, Karen expressed her frustrations with the scale and chose to leave Dr. Now’s program. While her decision marked the end of her televised journey, many viewers remain hopeful that Karen continues to work toward her goals.

TLC has not provided further updates on Karen’s story. New episodes of My 600-Lb Life air every Wednesday at 8 pm ET, where similar journeys unfold, offering insight into the challenges and victories faced by individuals seeking a healthier life.