Tammy Slaton, one of the most recognizable faces from TLC’s 1000-Lb. Sisters, is opening up about her extraordinary transformation after losing nearly 500 pounds—a life-changing journey that has captivated viewers since 2020.

From Pandemic Weight Gain to a Life-or-Death Turning Point

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Tammy found herself gaining more than 100 pounds, far beyond her initial goal to lose 30. Her weight eventually climbed to 725 pounds, leaving her dependent on an oxygen tube, a walker, and a wheelchair.

The reality star struggled with food addiction for years and entered treatment multiple times. Her emotional burden was made heavier by personal tragedy—including the loss of her husband, Caleb Willingham, who passed away in 2023 at just 40 years old.

Despite the setbacks, Tammy refused to give up.

A Remarkable Transformation

With unwavering determination, Tammy shed enough weight to finally be approved for bariatric surgery, which she underwent in July 2022. Her dramatic transformation was revealed during season seven of the TLC show last August.

“When I was at my heaviest, I was 700-plus pounds,” she said on the series. “Right now, I’m weighing in at 238. Everybody keeps telling me I’m looking smaller than Amy. That’s kind of hard to believe.”

Tammy recently sat down with the Ezell Film Company, where she shared that she has now lost about 540 pounds from her peak weight—a change she described as losing “three whole versions of herself.”

“I see pictures of me now and I think, ‘Wow,’” she reflected.

Facing Her Biggest Fear: Skin Removal Surgery

In the weeks leading up to her major skin removal procedure—something she had long anticipated—Tammy admitted she was terrified.

Speaking to PEOPLE, she revealed the anxiety she felt:

“I was really nervous for the skin removal surgery because I was afraid of how I’m gonna feel looking at myself without the belly there.”

The night before the operation, she said she was “seriously freaking terrified,” adding that the skin removal made her even more anxious than her original bariatric surgery.

Surgeons removed more than 15 pounds of excess skin, and after a smooth recovery, Tammy was able to return home four days earlier than expected.

A New Chapter of Confidence and Strength

Now living in Pittsburgh, Tammy continues to receive overwhelming support from her siblings and thousands of fans across social media. Her transparency, resilience, and emotional honesty have inspired people around the world.

What began as a fight for survival has become a powerful story of transformation, courage, and self-love—one Tammy is still proudly writing.