1000-Lb. Sisters Star Tammy Slaton’s 500-Pound Weight Loss: From Rock Bottom to Rising Up

Tammy Slaton, the fiery heart of TLC’s 1000-Lb. Sisters, has done the unthinkable: she’s shed 500 pounds, going from a life-threatening 725 pounds to a vibrant 225 pounds by 2025. Her journey’s been a rollercoaster—think tears, triumphs, and a medically induced coma that shook her to her core. How did this Kentucky queen claw her way out of food addiction and health scares to become a beacon of hope? Grab a seat, because Tammy’s weight loss story is raw, real, and ready to make you cheer.

A Life in Crisis: “I Thought I Wouldn’t Make It Another Day”

Tammy’s battle with weight wasn’t just about numbers—it was a fight for survival. “I was at a point where I thought I wouldn’t make it another day if I didn’t do something drastic,” she told People in 2023. At her heaviest, 725 pounds, Tammy was bedridden, hooked to oxygen, and dependent on others for basic tasks like bathing. Her sister Amy Slaton-Halterman, her co-star on 1000-Lb. Sisters, recalled the fear: “They’re telling us her lungs have given up, and her body is shutting down,” she said during a 2022 hospital scare.

That scare landed Tammy in a medically induced coma, a wake-up call that changed everything. “I wised up,” she told People in June 2023. After waking up with a tracheostomy tube, she dropped 115 pounds in 30 days and committed to a weight loss rehab facility. By July 2022, she was ready for bariatric surgery, the spark that ignited her Tammy Slaton weight loss journey. But surgery was just the start—her real work was in the kitchen, the gym, and her mind.

Tammy Slaton Weight Loss: How She Dropped 500 Pounds

So, how did Tammy transform her life? No shortcuts, no weight loss drugs—she did it with sweat, smarter eating, and a mindset overhaul. “It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle change,” she said in an August 2024 Instagram video. Here’s the lowdown on her weight loss recipe:

Rewriting Her Relationship with Food

Tammy’s food addiction was her biggest foe. “Food was my escape, my comfort, my coping mechanism for years,” she confessed to People in 2023. Post-surgery, she ditched processed junk and sugary snacks for lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Her Instagram is a foodie inspo hub—think protein-packed breakfast tacos and chicken dumplings she whips up for her family. “Even though I can’t eat much, doesn’t mean my family shouldn’t eat good,” she captioned a cooking post in August 2023.

She’s also mastered portion control. “I was starving a lot of the time,” she told Us Weekly in February 2023, explaining how bariatric surgery shrank her stomach. Her doctor, Eric Smith, praised her for keeping 90-100 grams of protein daily, which helped her maintain muscle mass. “Tammy’s held her muscle mass steady,” he told Women’s Health in January 2025, a key to avoiding weight regain.

Moving Her Body: From Wheelchair to Water Tubing

Exercise was a game-changer. Early on, Tammy couldn’t walk without a walker or wheelchair. “I could barely stand for a few seconds,” she shared on 1000-Lb. Sisters season 3. Fast forward to 2025, and she’s walking, lifting weights, and even tubing on a family trip, rocking a blue swimsuit that showed off her 500-pound weight loss. “I’m doing things I never thought possible,” she told E! News in April 2025.

Her routine is practical: chair exercises, bike pedaling, and short walks that built her stamina. “One of the big changes is being able to walk without a walker or be pushed in a wheelchair,” she told People in 2024. She’s also ditched daytime oxygen and only uses it at night with a BiPap machine. Fans went wild when she buckled a seatbelt without an extender—a small win that felt huge. “What seems minor to some people is giant for me,” she said.

Healing Her Mind: “I Had to Fight Inner Demons”

Tammy’s mental transformation is the heart of her Tammy Slaton weight loss story. “I had a lot of demons—inner demons I had to fight,” she said in an August 2024 Instagram video. Before rehab, she battled severe depression and suicidal thoughts. “I was bitter, unhappy,” she admitted in a February 2024 TikTok. Therapy, mindfulness, and daily self-affirmation became her tools. “Every morning, I took a few minutes to reflect on my progress,” she told Women’s Health in January 2025.

She also faced setbacks, like turning to alcohol after her husband Caleb Willingham’s death in July 2023. “I was so focused on losing weight, I lost myself,” she said. But Tammy refused to spiral. “It would be so easy to fall back into bad habits and gain all the weight back,” she told Newsweek in August 2024. “Then what was this all for? Wasted time, wasted money, wasted effort.” Her grit pulled her through.

The Emotional Glow-Up: “I’m Happier, I Smile More”

By April 2025, Tammy was down to 238 pounds, a number she hadn’t seen since fourth grade. “I’m weighing in at 238. Everybody keeps telling me I’m looking smaller than Amy,” she laughed on 1000-Lb. Sisters, referencing her sister’s 176-pound loss. Fans noticed the change, too. “Your face looks so much less swollen,” one commented on a 2023 Instagram selfie. Another gushed, “You’re the hottest girl in the world,” after a February 2023 visit from friend Joshua Douglas.

Tammy’s newfound confidence shines. She’s experimenting with fashion—think floral dresses and jeans—and sharing swimsuit pics that scream self-love. “I take a lot of selfies, not because I think I look good—well, I do, a little bit—but because I want to remember how big I was,” she said in August 2024. Her joy is infectious: riding hot air balloons, hitting Disney World rides, even traveling to London in 2024. “I’m living a whole new world,” she told People in April 2025.

Tammy Slaton Weight Loss: Did She Use Ozempic?

Rumors swirled about weight loss drugs like Ozempic, but Tammy’s doctor shut them down. “She’s done this through surgery and lifestyle changes,” Dr. Eric Smith told Women’s Health in October 2024. He noted Ozempic could be an option if her progress stalled, but Tammy’s 500-pound loss came from her own hustle. “Tammy has consistently demonstrated her dedication,” Smith said, praising her healthy habits and mental focus.

For those curious, here’s what Tammy’s approach teaches us:

Diet: Focus on whole foods, high protein, and small portions.
Exercise: Start small—chair exercises or short walks—and build up.
Mindset: Therapy and daily reflection keep you grounded.

FAQ: Tammy Slaton Weight Loss Questions Answered

Got questions about Tammy Slaton weight loss? Here are the top ones fans are asking:

How much weight has Tammy Slaton lost?As of August 2024, Tammy has lost over 500 pounds, dropping from 725 pounds to 225 pounds.
What methods did Tammy use for her weight loss?She underwent bariatric surgery in 2022, adopted a healthy diet with lean proteins and whole foods, and incorporated exercise like walking and chair workouts.
How long did Tammy’s weight loss take?Her 500-pound loss spanned multiple years, with major progress post-surgery in 2022 through 2025.
Did Tammy use weight loss drugs like Ozempic?No, her doctor confirmed her loss came from surgery and lifestyle changes, though Ozempic could be considered if needed.
What’s next for Tammy’s weight loss journey?She’s eyeing skin removal surgery to address excess skin and continues her healthy lifestyle.