How Fame Changed Everything for 1000-Lb. Sisters Star Tammy Slaton

From a young age, Tammy Slaton and her sister Amy Slaton had a shared dream of becoming famous. Despite their modest upbringing in Kentucky, they believed they possessed the talent to achieve this goal. As Tammy puts it, “At 3 or 4 years old, I was telling Amy that me and her were going to be different. We were going to make it on TV, make a name for ourselves.” Raised by their mother Darlene along with siblings Chris, Misty, and Amanda, they grew up in poverty, relying mostly on fast food or aid from the church due to their mother’s multiple jobs. As Amy explains, “We grew up very poor. We didn’t really get much love and affection growing up. It was actually quite the opposite. We got told we were stupid, we were lazy.

Despite their grandmother being a significant part of their lives and passing away when they were 10 (Amy) and 11 (Tammy), food became the only source of joy for them. As they grew older, their weight escalated, leading to bullying and various health problems.

“My grandma was incredibly important to me,” Tammy said on the show. “She made me feel like I was just like everyone else.” Following her death, food was the only pleasure we knew.”

But as their weight increased, Tammy and Amy encountered cruel taunts at school and numerous health complications.

“I’ve been overweight my entire life,” Tammy continued. “Kids at school were extremely unkind. They would shove me, hurl insults. By the time I was 20, I weighed roughly 500 pounds.

In 2014, Tammy had a health scare that involved a blood clot in her right lung. After being discharged from the hospital, she found herself bored and spending time watching YouTube videos. Inspired by their humor, she proposed to Amy the idea of starting a vlog together. Their videos eventually caught the eye of executives at TLC, who recognized their potential and offered them their own show.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this:

Back in 2020, the hit reality show “1000-lb Sisters” made its debut. Over the course of seven seasons, Tammy, Amy, and their family members have embarked on remarkable weight loss journeys. At her highest weight, as Tammy shared with People magazine, she tipped the scales at 725 pounds. However, after seeking help at a rehabilitation center, adopting healthier lifestyle habits, and undergoing bariatric surgery in 2022, Tammy has shed over 500 pounds of weight.

Tammy, who recently underwent skin removal surgery, added: “By sharing our stories, we’re inspiring others.” She explained, “We’re showing them that it’s possible to lose weight, too. They’re not alone in their struggles. In fact, they thank us for sharing our story because it gives them hope and comfort knowing they can relate to ours.

Beyond chronicling the Slatons’ weight loss experiences, the show offers an unfiltered perspective on their highs and lows. Interestingly, Tammy is content with these moments being recorded, including her heated disagreements with Amy and her other family members. As she expressed on “Creative Chaos”, she wouldn’t alter any of it. The conflicts with her siblings, she said, were part of their growth process. They transformed her into a different person. Currently, she feels too old to engage in such disputes anymore.

Ever since the show’s premiere, life for Tammy has undergone a significant transformation in more ways than one. It’s not just about physical changes; she’s also had to adapt to life under the public eye, such as being approached for photos when out and about.

On the podcast, she expressed, “I don’t mind it at all. It’s the impolite ones who do it without asking that I find frustrating. Just ask me, I really don’t care. I’m human.”

Throughout the years, Tammy has encountered critics judging her appearance, but she appreciates her supporters wholeheartedly.

“I adore them,” she mentioned. “I am blessed with fantastic fans.

Despite publicly sharing many aspects of her life on screen, Tammy has maintained a level of privacy, especially about her love life. However, this changed recently. Two years after the passing of her husband Caleb Willingham, Tammy announced that she was in a relationship with a woman named Andrea Dalton.

In April, Tammy disclosed on the show 1,000-lb Sisters that she identifies as pansexual but no longer wishes to be with men following Caleb’s demise. In June, it was revealed that Tammy and Andrea are now engaged. As Tammy enters her 39th year, she not only has a new fiancée and engagement ring but also a renewed sense of appreciation for her journey.

Reflecting on the changes in her life over the years, Tammy wrote in a July TikTok post: “So much has changed over the years. I couldn’t be more thankful and blessed to have the support and love from my fans/besties, my girlfriend, and of course my family. This is my way of saying thank you for helping me keep going.”

For a glimpse into Tammy’s journey over the past few years, continue reading.

From the year 2020, viewers of TLC have been following Tammy Slaton‘s storyline on the show 1000-lb. Sisters. After having bariatric surgery in mid-2022, fans have been able to watch her progress not only on television but also through social media updates.

As of August 2024, she has lost 500 pounds.

The reality star shared a snap of herself in a floral print dress on Instagram in June 2023.

That same month, Tammy posted a group photo with her brother Chris Combs and YouTuber Chelcie Lynn.

By July 2023, Tammy was deeply saddened by the passing of her husband, Caleb Willingham. On Instagram, she penned, “Rest in peace, dear angel; you will always be dearly missed and loved beyond measure,” accompanying the post with nostalgic images. “Thank you, Caleb, for revealing genuine love and joy to me,” her message concluded.

Tammy stopped for a series of bathroom selfies, shared on Instagram August 2023.

In October 2023, Tammy proudly posed for an Instagram selfie in jeans.

Tammy posted this video on TikTok in January 2024.

Following her posting some fresh selfies in April 2024, Dr. Eric Smith, her weight loss specialist, expressed his admiration by saying, “You’re absolutely nailing it!

Tammy included in her update a pic of herself with her cat, Chocolate.

Throughout her weight loss journey, Tammy consistently shared the newfound positivity she discovered during her 500-pound weight loss experience with her followers.

I’m constantly reminding myself, and I wanted to share this with you too: You are breathtakingly beautiful, you possess a strength that leaves me in awe, and you show immense courage every day. Know deep down that you are cherished, adored, and more than sufficient – never forget it!

Following several delays that held up Tammy’s eligibility for skin removal surgery, she ultimately received approval to proceed with the operation.

She unveiled the results on a June 2025 episode of the TLC series.

Approximately four weeks after Tammy unveiled her fresh appearance post-skin removal surgery, she posted a collection of recent selfies detailing her current lifestyle.

In the July 2025 update, she proudly displayed her latest physique in a form-fitting bodysuit, beaming at the camera.

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2025-07-27 13:17