Angela Gutierrez appeared on season 7 of My 600-lb Life with an unusual background. She had already received bariatric surgery years before appearing on the show.
Despite this previous procedure, she needed to restart her weight loss efforts when her health declined and family issues became serious. Viewers expected a triumphant comeback when her episode aired.
While the show often features inspiring transformations, Angela’s case took a different path. Her journey became one of the more challenging episodes, ending in disappointment and tragedy.
A History of Setbacks and Second Chances
Angela Finece Gutierrez underwent her first weight loss surgery in her 20s, weighing around 375 pounds at the time. She had gastric bypass surgery and dropped nearly 100 pounds.
Life became more difficult, and she went back to unhealthy habits. She not only regained the weight but gained even more over time. Her emotional and mental health got worse, too.
Angela was accused of endangering her children after she tried to harm herself during a hard time. She lost custody of her children, and this made her depression worse. She got custody back later and tried to rebuild her life.
Angela came to My 600-lb Life because she felt wretched about her weight. She had already wasted one chance years before with her first surgery. She wanted to get weight loss surgery again and stick to the program this time.
Why Angela Left the Program
Angela lived in Ohio, where her 19-year-old son Christopher took care of her. Meanwhile, her daughter Andrea had multiple sclerosis and needed care of her own.
In addition, she was also caring for her cousin’s 11-year-old daughter, Lacy. Since no one could accompany her to Houston regularly, she asked her ex-boyfriend, Eric, to travel with her to Texas.
Angela met with Dr. Nowzaradan upon her arrival, who gave her a weight-loss plan to follow before he would approve her for surgery. However, she had trouble following the plan and often complained about discomfort and frustration.
Furthermore, she had problems with her living situation, including issues with her bathroom setup. She said she was in pain during her whole stay.
Over the next few months, she missed follow-up appointments. She also failed to meet her diet goals and eventually moved back to Ohio. Her time in the program ended around the eighth month.
Later, Angela said in a video call that she had lost 120 pounds by herself. But Dr. Now doubted her claim because she had no verified weigh-ins. Therefore, he questioned whether she was committed to losing weight.
Life With Family After Filming
After leaving the show, Angela focused her attention on family life in Ohio. Her daily tasks centered on caregiving and managing her household. Her son had a formidable job and could not always help her.
At the same time, her daughter needed constant attention because of her health problems. The reality star provided that care alongside raising her cousin’s daughter.
Her love for her grandchildren was seen in her social media posts. She had three grandchildren named Emma Jean, Mia Rose, and Rocky. She often referred to herself as their Nana in her posts.
Her cat, named “Trouble,” also appeared in many of her updates. She shared family photos and wrote openly about how much joy her grandchildren brought her.
Her online posts showed occasional updates about her health. In November 2021, she resumed posting about dieting. She shared meals with calorie counts and talked about her interest in the keto diet.
She avoided talking about the show itself, but her posts showed she still wanted to improve her health at home.
Angela was also connected to lawsuits that some cast members filed against the show’s production company, Megalomedia. She did not file a case herself, but there were signs that she supported those efforts or thought about taking action later.
Angela Gutierrez’s Final Health Update and Passing
In March 2023, Angela posted a worrisome message on Facebook. She said that doctors had admitted her to the hospital in Huntington, and she was trying to “reboot” her body. She stated that her oxygen levels were stuck in the 70s and that she was getting treatment for her daughters.
On March 21, 2023, Angela Gutierrez perished at Bethesda North Hospital in Ohio. She was 49 years old.
Doctors did not release her official cause of death to the public. Her health problems, including the oxygen issues she shared online, revealed she was facing serious medical troubles.
Later, a memorial service was held on March 30, 2023, in Ross, Ohio. Her obituary talked about her deep love for her family, her generous spirit, and her passion for helping others.
