1000-lb Sisters is a TLC reality TV show that aired in 2020, starring sisters Amy and Tammy Slaton, whose weight added together averaged almost 1,000 pounds. The show is centered around Amy and Tammy’s goal of starting a weight loss journey in order to lose enough weight to be approved for gastric bypass surgery, a surgery where the digestive system is rearranged to reduce calorie intake, causing one to lose a lot of weight. Amy and Tammy had tried diet after diet but were unable to stick with them, so surgery was the next best thing, especially after Tammy had just been taken off of life support for the second time, and both of them were having many health problems. Amy’s main motivator was her want to become a mother, which was unrealistic at her weight as it was dangerous and extremely unlikely she would be able to get pregnant at her weight. With high stakes and high hopes at hand, Amy and Tammy started this journey strong, seeing a doctor and a dietitian, throwing out unhealthy food, and attempting to be more active.
In season one, at the beginning of their weight loss journey, Amy and Tammy both weighed so much that they had to go to a junkyard and be weighed on their industrial scale. Amy weighed in at 406 pounds, and Tammy weighed in at over 600 pounds. Both disappointed in themselves and how they let themselves get to that weight, they drove from Dixon, Kentucky, to Atlanta, Georgia, to see Dr. Proctor, a gastric specialist, to discuss gastric bypass surgery. When Amy and Tammy told their mom their plans of getting the surgery, their mom was very discouraging and said she thought they would “chicken out.” After Dr. Proctor gave both of them manageable weight loss goals, Amy and Tammy went back to Kentucky to start losing the weight. Right away, they threw out unhealthy foods, and Amy started going on walks and even saw a personal trainer, taking the weight loss goal very seriously. Tammy, on the other hand, was eating too big portions of the healthier food or hiding unhealthy food from Amy, and declining any kind of physical activity. Weeks later, they traveled back to Georgia to see Dr. Proctor. There was a noticeable change in Amy, and she was approved and scheduled for surgery. Tammy had actually gained weight, and her surgery was cancelled as it was obvious she wasn’t putting any effort into changing her lifestyle. A few days after the visit with Dr. Proctor, Amy had her surgery. It went well, but she slipped up and ate solid food a few days after her surgery when she was supposed to be on a liquid-only diet. Nonetheless, Amy got her surgery and by the end of season one, lost around 120 pounds.
There are about four years between season one and the most recent season, season six, and a lot happened in those four years, but my goal is to primarily focus on how far they have come in those four years and how Amy and Tammy are doing as of season six. As of season six, Amy got remarried to her husband Micheal, gave birth to her first son, Gage, bought a house with her husband, gave birth to her second son, Glenn, and then got divorced from Micheal. Amy and her sons stayed with Tammy for almost a year before she got the house in the divorce. Tammy had a rollercoaster of a time from going to rehab for her food addiction, coming home before her program ended, and then gaining all of the weight she had lost at rehab back, weighing in at her heaviest, 725 pounds. After her weight and health started spiraling out of control, Tammy had a medical emergency and ended up in a coma. When she woke up from her coma, she had a tracheostomy and went back to rehab. During her 14-month stay at rehab, she went from over 700 pounds to 534 pounds, finally qualifying her for gastric bypass surgery. After years of effort, Tammy finally had her surgery. Also at rehab, Tammy met Caleb, and the two got married after being together for only three weeks. The newlyweds spent their time together at the rehab while Tammy was approved enough to get her trach taken out, and she’s recovered from her surgery. After 14 months, Tammy left the rehab and went back home, Caleb having plans of losing enough weight to get his trach out and go home to Tammy. Sadly, a couple of months after Tammy had been home, she visited Caleb and found out that his emotional eating was out of control, and he was nowhere close to coming home. Shortly after Tammy’s visit with Caleb, he unfortunately passed away on June 30, 2023, at age 40, leaving Tammy widowed. The family held a wake for Caleb.
Throughout the seasons, Amy and Tammy’s other three siblings, Missy, Amanda, and Chris, joined their weight loss journey too. Now all five siblings have had gastric bypass surgery! As of 2024, Tammy has lost 500 pounds, currently weighing in at about 225 pounds, and is eagerly waiting to be able to have skin removal surgery. Amy has hit a little bit of a plateau after having her children and currently weighs 230 pounds.
Not only is 1000-lb Sisters wildly entertaining, it’s motivating as well for those who are also feeling discouraged about losing weight, the Slaton family showing that it is possible. I also love all five of the siblings’ different personalities and ridiculous sense of humor. I’m eagerly awaiting the next season and can’t wait to continue keeping up with the 1000-lb sisters. I definitely recommend checking out 1000-lb Sisters on Hulu.
