Tammy Slaton’s doctor is praising her for motivating others amid her own weight loss journey.

On September 13, the 1000-Lb. Sisters star, 38, posted a video on Instagram encouraging her followers who want to lose weight.

“🌟Your Journey is Unique, But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone🌟My journey isn’t everyone’s journey, but I know many of you have been inspired by the growth you’ve seen in me over the years. 💖,” she said before sharing the program that helped her lose 500 lbs.

“Let’s transform together!” she added.

In the comments section, Slaton’s bariatric surgeon Dr. Eric Smith praised her for her weight loss and for helping others get their health back on track.

“You have always had an impact on those who have enjoyed following your journey @queentammy86,” he wrote. “Watching you now take this step to help others change their life and their health like you did is inspiring. So proud of you!!”

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Smith — medical director of the Kentucky Bariatric Institute — has treated Slaton throughout her entire weight loss journey and often shares his support online.

In December 2023, the reality star told PEOPLE exclusively about the milestones she has achieved since losing so much weight, down from her highest of 725 lbs. She had bariatric surgery in July 2022.

“One of the big changes that I have gone through this past year is probably small to most people,” Slaton said. “But for me it was huge.”

“Just being able to walk without a walker or be pushed in a wheelchair, and no oxygen. I don’t even sleep with it at night anymore,” she boasted. “Then it was being able to fit in a regular vehicle, front seat, and then the belt buckle, and not have to use an extender now. So I mean, just what seems minor to some people is giant for me.”

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At the time, Smith recalled the moment Slaton told him about being able to buckle her seatbelt in the car. He admitted that he wants Tammy to continue celebrating those non-scale victories rather than the number on the scale.

“I remember the first time I got a picture that she sent me of her riding the front seat in a car with a seatbelt, things that we may take for granted,” Smith told PEOPLE. “That was a huge accomplishment for her when she used to be coming to my office in the back of a minivan with the seats removed because that was the only way that they could transport her.”

“For Tammy, I told her don’t get so caught up in a number. Enjoy the ride getting there. I want her to enjoy what we call those non-scale victories, the ability to be more mobile by herself,” he said at the time. “I’m proud of her for those weight or number goals, but what I’m most proud about is the goals that she’s achieving of actually living a healthier and happier life.”