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Entertainment • Reality TV

Dr. Now

Dr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dr. Now is the public nickname of Younan Nowzaradan, an Iranian-born American surgeon, television personality, and author. He is best known for appearing on the TLC reality series My 600-lb Life, where he treats people with severe obesity using bariatric surgery and diet-based weight-loss plans.

Background

Younan Nowzaradan was born in Tehran, Iran, on October 11, 1944, and later became an Iranian-American physician. Sources describe him as a surgeon specializing in vascular surgery and bariatric surgery.

Television career

Dr. Now became widely known through My 600-lb Life, which follows patients with extreme obesity as they pursue weight loss and surgery. He also appears in The 6000 lb Diaries with Dr. Now, a reality series focused on ten individuals seeking bariatric treatment.

Medical practice

His television role reflects his work as a bariatric surgeon treating severe obesity. Accounts also describe him as continuing to practise medicine in Houston, Texas.

Public image

Dr. Now is known for a direct, no-nonsense on-screen style that has made him a recognizable reality-TV figure. Coverage often portrays him as a leading weight-loss surgery authority.

Key facts

  • Dr. Now is a vascular and bariatric surgeon who gained broad recognition through reality television.
  • He has appeared on My 600-lb Life since the series began in 2012.
  • The show follows patients with severe obesity who attempt weight loss under his care.
  • Nowzaradan was born in Tehran and later became an American physician based in Houston, Texas.
  • He has also been described as an author and television personality.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Dr. Now?
Dr. Now is the nickname of Younan Nowzaradan, an Iranian-born American surgeon and television personality known for My 600-lb Life.
What does Dr. Now do?
He specializes in vascular surgery and bariatric surgery, including treatment for severe obesity.
What show made Dr. Now famous?
He is best known for My 600-lb Life on TLC.
Is Dr. Now still on television?
Yes. He continues to be associated with My 600-lb Life and is also linked to The 6000 lb Diaries with Dr. Now.
Where is Dr. Now from?
He was born in Tehran, Iran, and later became an Iranian-American physician.
Is Dr. Now a real doctor?
Yes. He is described in the sources as a surgeon specializing in vascular and bariatric surgery.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Younan_Nowzaradan
    Supports: Birth name, nickname, birth date, nationality, medical specialties, and television association with My 600-lb Life and The 6000 lb Diaries with Dr. Now.
  2. Lifetimehttps://www.mylifetime.com/shows/the-6000-lb-diaries-with-dr-now
    Supports: Description of The 6000 lb Diaries with Dr. Now and Dr. Now's role in the series.
  3. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_600-lb_Life
    Supports: Overview of My 600-lb Life, its premise, and Dr. Now's role as the Houston surgeon treating patients.
  4. Natelinhahttps://natelinha.uol.com.br/televisao/2024/08/16/quem-e-dr-now-o-cirurgiao-durao-de-quilos-mortais-da-record-215560.php
    Supports: Tehran birthplace, birth date, bariatric specialty, and general television recognition.