Dottie Perkins is a name familiar to all households following her moving and inspiring appearance on TLC’s My 600-lb Life. The Mississippi native’s battle with obesity, combined with tragic personal events and immense struggles, moved the hearts of viewers across the globe. But where is she now?
Here in this special update, we discuss Dottie’s rollercoaster ride since she removed herself from the public eye, from battles of health to battles of courts, and how she is coping with financial and emotional distress that still marks her life.
Dorothy “Dottie” Perkins is from Oxford, Mississippi. She was married to Chris, and the two have a son, Landon, with ADHD and autism. Her life has been filled with love and loss. She went through the devastating loss of her 13-year-old son, Daniel, who had cerebral palsy. His death was a huge emotional blow to her, and it affected her greatly.
Despite the struggles, Dottie’s husband has been a good pillar. Nevertheless, their family has had financial challenges, including difficulty accessing food stamps, which made life even more hectic. Throughout all this, Dottie has stood by her family and still posts about her ordeal on social media, asking for support.
Dottie Perkins’s Life Before the Show and Struggles with Obesity
Before she appeared on My 600-lb Life, Dottie Perkins struggled with her weight for many years. She employed food as a way of coping with personal pain and difficult situations in her life, which caused her to gain too much weight over the years. Obesity rendered her daily life very difficult, and it was hard for her to take care of herself and her family.
As her weight continued to rise, Dottie’s health started to deteriorate, and she realized she needed help. That’s when she decided to appear on the show, hoping it would start a new life where she could get her life back on track and improve herself.
The Challenges Dottie Perkins Faced During the Show
Dottie struggled following Dr. Nowzaradan’s strict diet and exercise plan. Emotional problems in her past often made it challenging for her to stay on track. At times, she would fall back into old ways. Likewise, she faced complications from surgeries and other health issues as she was losing weight. The health setbacks caused her to have many hospitalizations. The physical toll made her weight loss even more challenging.
Being a contestant on a reality television show placed extra emotional stress on her. She had to share her personal history openly and struggles with an audience of millions, and being on camera emotionally wore her out. Despite her determination, she faced several setbacks, which slowed her down and frustrated her. Nevertheless, she struggled, trying to stay motivated.
Dr. Nowzaradan’s Weight Loss Plan for Dottie Perkins
Dr. Nowzaradan recommended a low-calorie, high-protein diet to help Dottie lose weight safely. She was asked to follow healthy meals with portion control to restrict her calorie intake. Moreover, she had to follow the plan rigorously to feel the difference.
She was also asked to start an exercise regimen to help with weight loss. The exercises were challenging but necessary to get her more active. The goal was to make her more mobile and healthier. Dr. Now stressed the importance of long-term lifestyle changes and encouraged her to work on emotional and healthier eating. The focus was on developing healthier habits to achieve long-term weight loss success.
Where Is Dottie Perkins Now?
Dottie Perkins is now unable to work due to her ongoing health issues, and her husband, Chris, works full-time to support the family. Funds have been strained for them, especially after they were denied food stamps despite their eligibility.
She still shares information about her situation on social media, requesting help and explaining her situation. Although her circumstances are challenging, she hopes that matters will improve and proactively engages support from society.
In September 2023, Dottie shared on social media that her health had declined further after contracting COVID-19 in 2021. She revealed being bedridden with distal heart failure, low blood pressure, and recurring urinary tract infections. Her husband could not work full-time, which has been another blow to their finances.
Having experienced financial instability, Dottie revealed they were refused food stamps despite being near qualifying. She explained that she was struggling to supply necessities for her son and appealed to her supporters for assistance, referencing the difficulty of feeding Landon.
What’s on my mind? Im so tired of struggling. What I’m going to feed Landon tonight. What are we going to eat. We can’t even keep basic staples in out house. We have been denied foodstamps, only missing the mark by dollars. I’m just asking for a little help.My cash app is $DottiePerkins42My PayPal is @dottie9900
Dottie filed a lawsuit against the production company of My 600-lb Life, alleging misrepresentation of her weight loss story and neglecting to offer adequate coverage of medical expenses. The court ultimately dismissed the lawsuit in 2022.
During My 600-lb Life, Dottie lost a significant amount of weight, getting below 300 pounds for the first time since she was 18. She did, however, gain weight and experience health problems later on, including a reopened surgical wound. She felt guilty about her setbacks, especially concerning her son Landon’s health.
