In a significant update on her journey, 1000-lb Sisters star Tammy Slaton has shared that she has successfully undergone skin removal surgery. The announcement came during a candid interview on Wednesday, where she expressed her emotions following this milestone in her remarkable weight loss journey.
At just 38 years old, Tammy has made headlines since her debut on 1000-lb Sisters alongside her sister, Amy, in 2020. Over the past six years, she has dedicated herself to losing an astonishing 500 pounds, a feat that ultimately led to her approval for the long-awaited skin removal surgery.
Reflecting on her experience, Tammy shared with People, "After six years and losing over 500 pounds, I was finally approved for surgery. I was just overwhelmed with excitement. I worked really hard for this, and now it's here." Her joy was palpable, as she described the moment as one filled with shock and overwhelming happiness.
Traveling to Pittsburgh for the procedure, Tammy was under the care of renowned plastic surgeon Dr. J. Peter Rubin at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. However, the night before her surgery brought a wave of nerves. "I was really nervous for the skin removal surgery," she admitted. "I was even more nervous about having skin removal surgery than I was for the sleeve gastrectomy surgery because they're actually cutting the whole belly!"
On January 18, during the extensive eight-hour surgery, doctors successfully removed over 15 pounds of excess skin from various areas, including her chin, arms, and lower stomach. The transformation was documented on the reality series, showcasing the support and admiration of her siblings throughout her journey.
After her surgery, Tammy expressed her feelings on the show, stating, "It feels so weird not having the ball sack hanging off my face and my bat wings are gone too." She acknowledged that adjusting to her new appearance would take time, saying, "It's going to take a little while for me to get used to seeing myself like this."
In addition to her physical transformation, Tammy recently revealed that she is in a new relationship with a woman, marking a new chapter in her life. During the seventh season of the beloved TLC series, she shared this exciting news, admitting that she has yet to inform her family.
"There's something I haven't told my family. Amy's not the only one that's been seeing somebody new. So have I," Tammy confessed. "I have been seeing someone for the past couple of months and it's going pretty well." She humorously added, "I think my family probably has more opinions than the world has aholes because they be farting so much."
This relationship comes after a challenging period for Tammy following the death of her husband, Caleb Wilingham, who passed away at the age of 40 just seven months after their wedding in November 2022. She reflected on the painful moment she learned of his passing, revealing that a friend informed her via text. "I was sitting in the fetal position," she recalled. "20 minutes later he texted me back and said he was gone."
Despite her grief, Tammy has found ways to cope with the loss. She created jewelry from Caleb's ashes, expressing, "Knowing that he's with me, it's helping me pass the day." She treasures the pieces, saying, "I find myself grabbing my necklace and holding it a lot. When I take off my jewelry, I feel like it's weird, separation anxiety. I start panicking."
Tammy also finds solace in watching their show, stating, "Every time I miss him, I can always look back at the show and watch it and see what made me happy again."
As Tammy Slaton continues her journey on 1000-lb Sisters, her recent skin removal surgery marks an important milestone in her life. With new relationships blossoming and a renewed sense of self, Tammy's story serves as an inspiring reminder of resilience and personal growth. Stay tuned for more updates on her journey toward health and happiness.
