My 600-lb Life vet Amber Rachdi honors her late peers as she issues warning to judgmental viewers

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Amber Rachdi from My 600-Lb Life is remembering fellow cast members who have died and is urging viewers to think carefully before criticizing those featured on the TLC show.

When Rachdi was 24 years old, she weighed 657 pounds and received a dire prediction from her doctor: she wouldn’t live to see her 25th birthday.

She underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2015 and has since dropped over 470 pounds.  

Rachdi, at 35, has found success, but sadly, not everyone on My 600-Lb Life has had the same outcome. Several participants have passed away, either during or after their time on the show.

Rachdi is paying tribute to friends she’s lost and encouraging people to be kind to those facing weight issues.

On December 11th, Rachdi shared a heartfelt video on Instagram responding to a rude comment someone made about her personal difficulties.

As a longtime follower, I was really struck by a comment someone left. They pointed out that many people struggling with extreme weight – around 600 pounds – often have underlying mental health issues that contribute to their challenges. But they said you seemed different – surprisingly normal and even intelligent! It made them, and me, wonder what series of events led to things escalating to such a point. It’s just… puzzling and heartbreaking to see.

Rachdi said the message had been living in her head ‘rent free’ for days. 

Hi, I’m Amber. About ten years ago, I went through a really difficult time. When I was young, a doctor told me I probably wouldn’t live past 25, but I did! I feel like I have a lot to be proud of.

What bothers me most about going through a difficult time is the thought that others might measure their own hardships against my achievements. I don’t want to be seen that way. Being here today, at 35, feels like a real gift, especially knowing that some of my friends and peers haven’t had the same chance.

She then went on to name the lives of her 600-Lb peers who have since passed.  

Here’s a list of names: Henry Foots, Rob Buchel, L.B. Bonner, Lisa Fleming, Kelly Mason, Sean Milliken, James King, Coliesa McMillian, Renee Biran, Gina Krasley, Ashley Randall, Laura Perez, Destinee LaShaee, Angela Gutierrez, Larry Myers Jr., Paul MacNeill, Vianey Rodriguez, Latonya Pottain, Dottie Perkins, Lupe Samano, and Pauline Potter.

We all want to build better lives, but not everyone gets the chance. It feels incredibly unfair when someone acknowledges my success, then immediately criticizes another person from the show. It’s important to remember that everyone, whether portrayed as good or bad, is a complex individual, and often what we see is an exaggerated, simplified version of who they really are.

People often compliment my hard work, strength, and determination. But honestly, a lot of it is just luck – I’ve had more advantages, a better education, and a stronger support system. I worry that when people praise me, they’re implying that others who are struggling are responsible for their own difficulties and therefore don’t deserve our empathy.

The problem with this kind of language is that it can make us decide who is and isn’t worthy of our sympathy. This can ultimately lead to harmful and troubling beliefs.

I witnessed heartbreaking dismissals during my time as a healthcare worker. People were denied cancer treatment because they had previously smoked, and others were blamed for their weight and refused care. I also encountered individuals who, simply because they were undocumented, were treated inhumanely. I attended Sean Milliken’s funeral with three others, and I just recently learned of Dottie’s passing.

When Rachdi started on the show at 24, she rarely left home and lived with her parents and boyfriend in Troutdale, Oregon. They unintentionally supported her unhealthy habits, and she struggled with being on her feet for more than 30 minutes, often describing her behavior as very unpleasant.

Amber was able to lose weight after having gastric bypass surgery, which reduced her stomach size from about that of a football to a baseball. She also worked hard to overcome emotional eating.

Rachdi was feeling completely overwhelmed when she started the show. She had left college a few years earlier and hadn’t been able to find work since.

Following surgery, Rachdi started to lose weight and gradually regained her ability to care for herself.

‘I’m now able to shop for myself,’ Rachdi, who has also learned to drive, said. 

I feel hopeful and free. I’m not limited by my surroundings anymore – I’m not just ‘Amber stuck in one room.’ And, importantly, I’ve stopped relying on food to deal with my anxiety.

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2025-12-22 01:04