Henry Foots wasn't just another face on a reality show. He was a pioneer. Back when My 600 lb Life started on TLC, it wasn't the polished, formulaic production we see today; it was a gritty, multi-year documentary project. Henry was the second person ever featured. He started his journey at roughly 750 pounds. Most viewers remember him for his incredible charisma and that specific, gentle way he spoke about wanting to live long enough to get married.
He did it. He actually did it.
Henry dropped more than 500 pounds over the course of his filming. It’s still one of the most statistically significant losses in the history of the program. But his story didn't end with a "happily ever after" title card, and that is why people are still searching for his name over a decade later. His life took several dark, complicated turns that the cameras didn't always catch in real-time.
The Transformation of Henry Foots
When we first met Henry, he was essentially housebound in Houston. He described himself as a "dying man." He struggled with basic mobility, a common theme for Dr. Nowzaradan’s patients, but Henry had this distinct optimism. He wasn't just trying to lose weight to survive; he was motivated by a woman he loved and a desire to be active in his church.
Dr. Younan Nowzaradan was much younger then, and his approach was arguably more experimental as they navigated the world of extreme gastric bypass surgery for the super-morbidly obese. Henry took to the diet. He took to the surgery. He plummeted from 750 pounds down to about 250 pounds. Seeing him at the end of his initial episode—slim, wearing a suit, and getting married—felt like the ultimate victory for the show's format. It proved the "Dr. Now method" could work for the most extreme cases.
But the physical toll of losing 500 pounds is massive. Henry had to undergo multiple skin removal surgeries. During one of these procedures, he actually "died" on the operating table for several minutes. He described seeing a light and feeling a sense of peace before doctors brought him back. That experience changed him. It gave him a second lease on life, or so it seemed at the time.
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The 2012 Shuttle Bus Accident
The story takes a very tragic turn in November 2012. This is something that often gets glossed over in highlight reels. Henry was working as a shuttle bus driver in Houston. While behind the wheel, he suffered what was reported as a medical episode—possibly a fainting spell or a heart-related issue.
He lost control of the bus.
The vehicle veered off the road and struck 43-year-old Carletta Williams, who was standing on a corner. She died from her injuries. It was a horrific accident that devastated the local community and, by all accounts, deeply traumatized Henry. He wasn't charged with a crime because the incident was ruled a result of a medical emergency rather than negligence, but the weight of that event was heavy. Imagine surviving a 750-pound body, surviving a clinical death on an operating table, only to be involved in a fatal accident while trying to live a normal, working life.
The Mystery of His Passing
Henry Foots passed away on May 16, 2013. He was only 54.
The timing was strange to fans. It was only six months after the shuttle bus accident. Because of the proximity to the crash, many speculated that the stress or the underlying medical condition that caused the crash led to his death. His official obituary didn't list a specific cause of death, which is fairly common in private family matters, but the community generally understands it to be related to persistent cardiac issues.
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Basically, your heart undergoes extreme stress when you carry 750 pounds for years. Even if you lose the weight, the "remodeling" of the heart muscle and the damage to the vascular system can be permanent. Henry’s body had been through war. Between the rapid weight loss, the multiple surgeries, the flatlining during skin removal, and the eventual medical episode on the bus, his system was likely exhausted.
Why Henry's Legacy Still Matters
Henry represents the "Old Guard" of the show. Today, many participants go on My 600 lb Life looking for social media fame or a quick fix. Henry felt like he was fighting for his soul. His success rate was nearly unparalleled. Even though his life ended prematurely, he proved that the biological ceiling for weight loss is much higher than most doctors believed in the early 2000s.
He also highlights a reality the show rarely discusses: the "post-success" struggle. People think getting to 200 pounds is the finish line. In reality, that’s when the long-term damage of decades of obesity starts to manifest as heart failure, skin infections, or neurological issues. Henry was a success story and a cautionary tale all at once.
What We Can Learn From His Journey
Honestly, looking back at Henry's episodes is a different experience now that we know how it ends. You see a man who was genuinely kind and incredibly determined. If you're following his story or someone else's on a similar path, there are a few real-world takeaways that aren't just reality TV tropes.
The Heart Doesn't Reset
Weight loss surgery saves lives, but it doesn't erase the past. Long-term survivors of extreme obesity need lifelong cardiac monitoring. Henry’s medical episode behind the wheel suggests his cardiovascular health was more fragile than his outward appearance let on.
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Mental Health is the Missing Link
Henry dealt with the trauma of "dying" on the table and then the trauma of a fatal accident. The psychological burden of these events is enormous. Modern bariatric programs now emphasize therapy much more than they did during Henry's time.
Advocacy and Awareness
Henry’s family has mostly stayed out of the spotlight since 2013. They've handled his legacy with a lot of dignity. For those looking to support or learn more about the complexities of this journey, organizations like the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) provide resources that go far beyond what you see in a one-hour TV edit.
If you're interested in the medical side of things, researching "post-bariatric cardiac remodeling" can give you a lot of insight into why someone like Henry, who looked so healthy, could still be at such high risk. He remains one of the most beloved figures in the show's history because he was authentic. He didn't make excuses; he just worked.
To honor Henry's journey, the best thing a fan or a patient can do is focus on "metabolic health" rather than just the number on the scale. High-intensity weight loss must be paired with rigorous, long-term medical oversight. Henry Foots gave the world a blueprint for what is possible, but his passing reminded us that the body is a fragile thing, even when the spirit is strong.
Next Steps for Understanding Extreme Weight Loss Recovery:
- Consult a Cardiologist: If you or someone you know has lost more than 100 pounds, a full cardiac workup is vital to check for "ventricular hypertrophy" or rhythm issues common in former bariatric patients.
- Study the "First Generation" Patients: Watch the early Season 1 episodes of My 600 lb Life (which followed patients over seven years) to see the long-term physiological changes that differ from the current one-year format.
- Focus on Nutrient Density: Rapid weight loss often leads to severe malabsorption. Ensuring high levels of Vitamin B12 and Iron is crucial for preventing the kind of "fainting spells" reported in many post-op cases.