Fans have been captivated by Tammy Slaton's transformative weight loss journey since the debut of TLC's "1000-Lb. Sisters" in January 2020. Her admirers have had a front-row seat to her success, witnessing her shocking 500-pound weight loss. Slaton, known for her role on the show alongside her sister Amy Slaton, has become an inspiration to many.
Early Struggles and the Beginning of a Transformation
Tammy Slaton's journey began with significant challenges. According to Us Weekly, the Kentucky native started the series weighing around 600 pounds, with fluctuations throughout the initial seasons. While she managed to drop into the 500-pound range by the end of the first season, she regained weight during the COVID-19 quarantine.
Raised in Kentucky alongside siblings Chris, Misty, and Amanda, Tammy and Amy faced a difficult childhood. Amy mentioned on the premiere episode of "1000-lb Sisters" that they "grew up very poor" and relied heavily on fast food or food donations from the church. With their mom working three jobs, they "didn’t really get much love and affection growing up," and were often told they were "stupid" and "lazy."
Despite these hardships, the sisters shared a close bond with their grandmother, whose passing when Amy was 10 and Tammy was 11 deeply affected them. Tammy shared on the show that "After my grandma died, food was the only enjoyment we had." As their weight increased, they faced bullying and various medical issues. Tammy added, "I’ve been overweight all my life," and recalled being pushed around and called names by schoolmates. By the age of 20, she weighed approximately 500 pounds.
Finding Motivation and Taking the First Steps
In 2014, after a health scare involving a blood clot in her right lung, Tammy decided to start vlogging with Amy. "I was just sitting there watching YouTube videos. I was like, 'Why not? We’re funny, whatever. Why can’t we do it too?' So, I pitched the idea to her, and here we are," Tammy told People in 2023. Their videos soon caught the attention of TLC executives, leading to the creation of "1000-lb Sisters," which premiered in 2020.
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Documenting the Journey on "1000-Lb. Sisters"
Over the past seven seasons, Tammy, Amy, and their siblings have documented their weight loss transformations on "1000-lb Sisters." Tammy revealed to People that she weighed 725 pounds at her heaviest. Following her time at a rehabilitation center, lifestyle changes, and bariatric surgery in 2022, she has successfully lost over 500 pounds.
Tammy believes that by sharing their stories, they are helping others realize they are not alone and that weight loss is possible. She has also undergone skin removal surgery earlier this year. Despite the challenges and heated arguments with her siblings that have been captured on camera, Tammy wouldn't change a thing. She said on Creative Chaos, "Even the fighting with my siblings, that’s how we grew. That’s made me a different person. Fighting with the family, I don’t want to anymore."
Milestones and Celebrations
- July 2021: Tammy shared an Instagram selfie wearing black lipstick, confidently stating, "Bright as the sun, dark as night. People fail to see the true me. I am MS. I love you." In a video, she responded to compliments with, "It's all good, honey, I understand. Thank you," while miming the lyrics "I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am rich, I am that b****h."
- January 2023: During the season four premiere of "1000 Lb. Sisters," fans saw Tammy after she had reached 700 pounds.
- June 2023: Fans flooded Slaton's Instagram with praise after she posted her first full-body photo since rehabilitation.
- April 2024: Tammy shared an Instagram carousel enjoying the sun with her new friend Michelle, showcasing her transforming figure in a blue-and-silver scallop printed swimsuit while dipping her feet in the water.
- September 2024: In collaboration with Medical Group Pop Recovery Systems, Tammy, now 500 pounds lighter, shared an inspirational message on Instagram: "Your Journey is Unique, But You Don't Have to Do It Alone." She added, "My journey isn't everyone's journey, but I know many of you have been inspired by the growth you've seen in me over the years. I have to say, one of the biggest game-changers for me recently has been connecting with Pop Recovery Systems."
Navigating Fame and Personal Life
Tammy has learned to navigate life in the spotlight, including requests for photos from the public. While she appreciates her supporters, she acknowledges the challenges of dealing with criticism regarding her appearance. "I don’t mind," she said on the podcast. "It’s the ones that are rude and just do it. Ask me, I don’t care. I’m human."
Tammy has also opened up about her love life. Two years after the death of her husband Caleb Willingham, she revealed she was dating a woman named Andrea Dalton. "A few years ago, I came out as pansexual," Tammy said on an April episode of "1,000-lb Sisters." “But after Caleb’s passing, I don’t want to be with men anymore.” In June, Tammy announced her engagement to Andrea, expressing her gratitude for the support of her fans, girlfriend, and family.
Maintaining Muscle Mass and Healthy Habits
Tammy's bariatric surgeon, Dr. Eric Smith, emphasized the importance of maintaining muscle mass during weight loss to avoid regaining weight. He commended Tammy for maintaining her muscle mass throughout her journey. To achieve this, Tammy has incorporated non-processed foods into her diet, maintained a steady protein intake of 90 to 100 grams per day, and engaged in limited exercise, including chair exercises, lifting weights, "running the bike," and walking.
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Dr. Smith recommends resistance training for all his patients, starting with bodyweight exercises before progressing to bands or heavier weights. He encourages them to dedicate 20 minutes a day, three times a week, to activities that add resistance to their muscles, going "above and beyond your normal daily activity."
Overcoming Plateaus and Considering Additional Options
Dr. Smith mentioned that if Tammy's weight loss stalled, they might consider using a diabetes drug like Ozempic to overcome any residual medical problems preventing her from reaching her weight loss goals. He emphasized that this would be considered in combination with her bariatric surgery.
Tammy is also considering skin removal surgery to address excess skin resulting from her significant weight loss. Dr. Smith has set milestones for Tammy to achieve, and she needs to continue losing weight to minimize complications. Once she plateaus and her doctors determine she doesn't need to lose more weight, she will be a candidate for skin removal.
Proudest Moments
Dr. Smith shared his two proudest moments in working with Tammy: when she agreed to go to a rehabilitation facility to address her weight issues and when she walked into his exam room without her wheelchair for the first time. "When she walked into the exam room, I may have struggled really hard to make sure the camera didn't catch me well up," he said. "I'd watched her be wheeled in so many times and struggle, and when she walked in and gave me a hug, it was just the coolest thing ever."
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