The two got engaged in 2017, after goingFacebook officialin 2014.

Heartbreak may or may not have to do with Fritz’s absence from the show.

As it turns out, this isn’t actually his first time sitting out a season.

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz smiling together

Social media posts dating back eight years might, however, give us a clue.

In 2013, Fritz opened up to fans following adrastic weight loss transformation.

On Facebook, he shared the reason for his startling change in appearance and absence from the show.

Frank Fritz smiling on red carpet

But for Fritz managing the chronic disease hasn’t, always, been easy.

Now, it seems as if his health issues may have forced him to step off-camera once more.

Did Frank Fritz undergo surgery?

Frank Fritz autographs a magazine

The gossip column was unable to reveal the reason for Fritz’s alleged back operation.

He hasn’t so far.

And, it’s also possible that Fritz wants to take a break.

Fritz, himself, has to shift his eating schedule dramatically.

He’ll eat mostly at night to ensure minimal disruption to filming.