Summary

• Despite losing 440 pounds, undergoing skin removal surgery could be risky and expensive for Tammy Slaton.
• Tammy's sister Amy and brother Chris also had excess skin post-weight loss.
• Tammy should consider the risks and costs of skin removal surgery before pursuing it.

1000-lb Sisters star Tammy Slaton has lost 440 pounds, and is eager to remove her excess skin, but I think skin removal surgery is a terrible idea. It centers around the lives of 37-year-old Tammy and her 36-year-old sister and costar, Amy Slaton. When the series premiered in 2020, Amy weighed 400 pounds and Tammy weighed 608 pounds. Though the show was supposed to follow the sisters on their weight-loss journeys, Tammy only seemed to gain weight. In fact, by the time season 3 came to an end, Tammy weighed in at 720 pounds.

When a health scare landed Tammy in a medically induced coma for a full week, Tammy was scared straight. She focused on treating her food addiction, then had bariatric surgery. The 1000-lb Sisters season 5 star lost 440 pounds very quickly, which left her with loose excess skin. The skin is very heavy and presents hygiene challenges which can become dangerous. Despite the fact that Tammy has expressed the fact that she is eager to remove the excess skin, I would argue that doing so would be a mistake.

Why Tammy Has So Much Excess Skin

Her Incredible Weight Loss Journey

After realizing her life was on the line, Tammy went to see bariatric surgeon Dr. Eric Smith, who performed a bariatric surgical procedure known as a duodenal switch on Tammy in July 2022. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a duodenal switch modifies the stomach and small intestine, restricting how much food the stomach can hold and how much nutrition the small intestine can absorb. After surgery, the 1000-lb Sisters star dropped to 285 pounds, which is a far cry from 720.

Losing such a significant amount of weight very quickly results in loose skin. That tissue previously stretched to accommodate the weight.

Skin Removal Surgery Is Expensive

Tammy Probably Can't Afford It

Skin removal surgery is an expensive cosmetic procedure. Clinical dietitian Kate Hilton spoke to The Mirror about the surgery. She explained that loose skin is often caused by losing a large amount of weight very quickly, the way the 1000-lb Sisters star did. She said that the most effective way to get rid of loose skin is through multiple cosmetic surgeries, but the risks are significant, and the costs are astronomical. To remove the amount of excess skin that Tammy is currently carrying around, Kate thinks the 1000-lb Sisters star would actually need to undergo five separate surgeries.

Among them would be a leg lift surgery that could take two hours and could cost $15,000. She'd also need neck lift surgery that takes over five hours and could cost around $35,000. Finally, the abdominoplasty and brachioplasty that she would also need, could cost around $20,000. The total cost could be a mind-blowing $85,000. Even though she's a television star with a big social media following, Tammy probably can't afford expensive cosmetic surgery.

Skin Removal Surgery Is Risky

It's A Very Big Deal

Skin removal surgery is about removing excess skin via surgical procedures, and it comes with considerable risks. Some of the potential side effects of skin removal surgery include bruising, scarring, bleeding, blood clots, and even loss of skin sensation. Tammy would need five separate surgeries, which would mean a lot of downtime and healing. She probably couldn't have all the surgeries all at once, so completing this process might take years. The 1000-lb Sisters star wouldn't be able to exercise while recovering, which would put her in danger of gaining back all the weight she worked so hard to lose.

After fighting so hard to lose weight and regain her mobility, Tammy should take care not to throw it all away.

Though the loose skin may be uncomfortable, I believe it would be healthier for Tammy to learn to live with it. Instead of seeing her excess skin as something that she needs to fix, the 1000-lb Sisters star should try to see it for the trophy that it is. Tammy's loose skin is proof that she was able to defeat obesity, and she deserves to wear it proudly.

Other Slatons Who Want Skin Removal Surgery

It's A Family Problem

Tammy isn't the only Slaton who is eager for skin removal surgery. Her sister, Amy, lost 125 pounds and has often talked about skin removal surgery. Having two children got in the way of her plans. In 2023, Amy and Michael Halterman announced their divorce, and Amy was diagnosed with mental health issues. Being a single mom living with mental health problems has understandably sidelined her pursuit of skin removal surgery.

Amy and Tammy's brother, Chris Combs, underwent gastric by surgery during 1000-lb Sisters season 3 and quickly dropped 150 pounds. Chris' experience highlights the fact that excess skin can be dangerous. At one point, Chris had a health concern when a rash formed between the folds of skin and became infected. It's easy to see why Chris was so eager to remove the excess skin. Despite Chris losing an incredible amount of weight, his doctor told him to lose another 50 pounds before he'd even consider doing his surgery.

The other Slaton sisters, Misty Wentworth and Amanda Halterman, had back-to-back bariatric surgeries with the same doctor on the same day, in March 2024.

Though it's unclear how much weight they've lost, they'll probably reveal it during 1000-lb Sisters season 6. It's only a matter of time before one of the Slaton siblings is approved for loose skin removal surgery, but they should all think twice. The procedures are expensive, risky, and painful - plus, great results aren't guaranteed. Comment below about what you think of Tammy Slaton undergoing the risky cosmetic procedures.

1000-lb Sisters seasons 1-5 can be streamed on Discovery +.

Sources: Cleveland Clinic, The Mirror