Suvechha Sarkar
The transformative journey of Wess Schulze was continued on season 9 episode 2 of TLC’s ‘My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?’ In the beginning, his mobility was restricted due to obesity. He described that he felt trapped in his body and ultimately decided to reclaim his health. When he initially contacted Dr. Nowzaradan, he weighed 705.1 lbs, and his food addiction had taken complete control of his life. The doctor gave Wess a goal to reduce 90 lbs in two months, but he only managed to lose 10 lbs. Without giving up, he moved forward and dropped his weight to 606.1 lbs by the fifth month. Seeing his progress, the doctor eventually approved him for weight loss surgery.
Wess Surpassed His Goals and Qualified for Lymphedema Removal Surgery
After the approval of the weight loss procedure, Dr. Nowzaradan sent Wess Schulze to a therapist to address his deep-rooted emotional struggles. However, he didn’t lose his momentum once the surgery was over. By the end of the first year, he had reached 464 lbs, shedding an impressive 241 lbs. The doctor then gave him the next goal, which was to get his lymphedema removal operation. Determined not to miss the opportunity, he fully committed himself to the program. By the time Wess was one year and two months into his journey, he had not only reached his target weight of 427 lbs but also surpassed it, dropping to 413.5 lbs. Impressed by his progress, Dr. Nowzaradan confirmed that he was finally ready for the surgery.
However, Dr. Nowzaradan explained that long-term goals were still ahead. Wess needed to lose another 25 pounds before the procedure, which was scheduled two months later. The doctor also informed him that he would be eligible for the skin removal surgery if he lost 50-75 lbs more. By the 16th month, Wess’ lymphedema was successfully removed, which helped him further lose 9 lbs. By one year and six months into the weight loss program, he had lost a staggering 338 lbs in total, bringing his weight down to 367 lbs. With this achievement, Wess set his sights on the next chapter of his transformation.
Besides Sharing His Progress, Wess is Raising Funds For Skin Removal Surgery
Despite his physical and emotional struggles, Wess Schulze has a career marked by notable accomplishments. His professional trajectory began in July 2009 as a Compliance Analyst at the Law Office of James A. West. After serving there until February 2010, he transitioned into the transportation industry. Wess started as a Dispatcher for Tidal Tank, DBA Bealine Service Co. His hard work there earned him a promotion to Customer Service Representative, a role which he held until February 2014. Following that, the reality star wore many hats, with some of them being Operations Manager at Tidal Tank, Business Administrator at Sprint Waste Services, L.P., Billing Specialist at Space City Services, and A/R Specialist at Accuworx. In November 2018, Wess stepped back from his career as his weight took a toll on his body.
Wess began working on his transformation, which assisted him in returning to the workforce in August 2021. He became a List Assist Specialist at Enservio and continued to serve there until March 2024. As of writing, he is eager to reestablish himself in fields he knows best—chemical waste management, transportation, and billing. The reality star also continues to harbor a passion for theatre, hoping to one day return to the stage. Beyond these, Wess has formed a strong and supportive community of over 12.6K on Instagram and 3.3K followers on Facebook. He uses social media to advocate for causes he believes in. Since he is a proud part of the LGBTQ+ community, he utilizes the platform to raise awareness about The Trevor Project. Moreover, Wess promotes RAINN, which is a hotline for sexual assault survivors.
As a Digital Creator, Wess chronicles his weight loss journey on these platforms. By August 2024, he started a fundraiser to help support his doctor’s bills and travel expenses for his skin removal surgery. In August of the following year, he excitedly shared that he had lost an impressive 510 lbs, but again mentioned that he depended on his supporters to help him raise the funds for the procedure. In the following month, Wess lost another 10 lbs, proving he never strayed from the right path. Currently, he has raised $6,044 out of his $6,500 goal, thanks to the generosity of his fans who cheer him on every step of the way. He also appeared on ‘The Ethan Jong Podcast,’ where he spoke about his progress. Following his weight loss updates, his followers responded with overwhelming support. This proves how deeply Wess’s story has inspired others.
Wess Schulze Balances Familial Bonds and Mental Health With Resilience
In his personal life, Wess has remained deeply connected to his parents, Rick and Malynda. They have been pillars of support throughout his weight loss journey on the show. He had disclosed that they got a divorce when he was still young, following which his father got custody. Consequently, the reality star always shared a special connection with Rick. His dad often accompanied him to the doctor’s appointments, which showed how much he cared for him. Although Wess described his relationship with Malynda as “strained” during childhood, they worked hard to rebuild their bond. The progress became clear when she stood by him during his lymphedema removal surgery. Family is also important to Wess, which became evident from his 4th of July celebration with the household members in 2024.
Wess experienced a joyful moment in May 2024 as he welcomed his furry pup, Cayde-6, into his life. He described him as a “little furball” and a beloved family member, with whom he couldn’t wait to share adventures. Apart from that, the reality star had gone on a blind date on the show with a man named Ian. While they have continued to follow each other on Instagram, there have been no major signs that they are still together. Yet, the possibility of a friendship between them is very likely. From time to time, Wess makes sure to take mental health breaks due to his depression and anxiety, which he openly speaks about on his social media. It highly reflects his ongoing effort to lead a life with positivity.
Wess believes in the importance of self-care, which is why he often experiments with new hair looks and piercings. Furthermore, he proudly shared that he moved into his new apartment in February 2025. Whenever he gets a chance, he keeps his fans updated about the new steps he takes to decorate his home. In his free time, Wess loves playing games online. Despite the challenges, he has remained open about his past, bravely revealing that he had endured childhood trauma. With the support of his parents, Wess confronts those painful experiences while continuing to move forward with resilience.
Read More: Where is Margaret Johnson Now? Update on My 600 lb Life Star
