Throughout six seasons of 1000-lb Sisters, viewers had the opportunity to witness Amy and Tammy Slaton transform their bodies and minds. Tammy, with a starting weight of over 600 pounds, encountered the most challenges. With Amy shedding weight faster than her older sister, Tammy felt left behind. This frustration led to several roadblocks as Tammy lashed out at those around her and failed to take accountability.

Her weight fluctuated until season 4, when a health scare nearly took Tammy’s life, prompted her shift in perspective. With a new lease on life, Tammy proceeded to maintain her diet and lose enough weight to undergo bariatric surgery. She has consistently worked on her health and lost over 500 pounds. However, as the pounds are shed, excess skin from her previous weight presents a new cause for insecurity. Tammy’s latest endeavor, in 1000-lb Sisters season 6, is a procedure to remove this extra skin. Unfortunately, the surgery is not as simple as it may seem.

Surgery Would Pause Tammy Slaton’s Weight Loss Journey

Tammy Will Need Time To Recover

Tammy has spent over four years dedicating her life to her weight. She has worked tirelessly to change her figure and position on weight loss. Throughout this time, she has amassed thousands of fans, all vying to watch Tammy push the boundaries of her capabilities. She remains a public figure in diet culture with over 800k followers on Instagram. Tammy’s supporters flock to social media for, not only her updates but her inspirational messages regarding self-improvement.

Unfortunately, skin removal surgery will disrupt her social media presence and Tammy’s consistent weight-loss efforts. For smaller procedures, recovery can take several weeks, but Tammy’s surgery would be comprehensive. When speaking with her surgeon, Tammy was informed that her “head-to-toe” excess skin would require “several operations and several healing phases.” This surgery could leave Tammy incapable of providing for herself and exercising for months. Not only does this hinder her mobility but this period may disrupt her ever-growing presence on social media. This leaves one wondering: how will she fare mentally with a relapse in independence?

Tammy Slaton’s Skin Removal Surgery Could Be A Dangerous Undertaking

The Slaton Family Are Concerned About the Risks

One of the more obvious repercussions of the surgery is the risk it may cause to Tammy’s health. Much like the concerns raised over her bariatric surgery, Tammy and her family are confronting the hazards of her going under the knife. Tammy’s underlying issues and smoking habits could put her at further risk of complications. While her surgeon candidly explained the side effects that could ensue, Tammy is unwavering in her position. The surgery would undoubtedly give her the confidence boosts she seeks, but the risks are nothing to scoff at.

Despite the mortality rate of body contouring procedures remaining low, assuming the surgeon is reputable, the procedure comes with its own dangers. According to ClevelandClinic, excess skin removal surgery can cause bleeding, blood clots, bruising, swelling, nerve damage, numbness, infections, and scarring. Though she wants the surgery to enjoy her new figure, she should consider the subsequent damage to her healthy body.

Skin Removal Surgeries Are Costly And Self-Indulging

Like any surgery, body contouring is exorbitantly expensive. As a cosmetic surgery, it wouldn’t be considered a necessity, and the costs are typically not covered by insurance. The Slaton family comes from humble beginnings. That is part of the reason so many fans identified with the sisters. Although their compensation from the show and internet celebrity status has vastly improved their financial situation, the cost of excess skin removal is staggering.

According to Healthline, the average body contouring surgery can range from $6,000 to $15,000. This base cost would not include any additional fees, including but not limited to anesthesia, surgeon’s fees, or operating facility costs. However, as previously stated, Tammy would need comprehensive “head-to-toe” procedures covering the span of her body. One surgery would not suffice.

In an interview with The Mirror, dietician Kate Hilton reiterated the complexities of a surgery like Tammy’s. She believes that Tammy would need five separate procedures, each lasting several hours. After five healing phases and months of discomfort, she could be looking at a bill of up to $85,000. The Slaton family are seemingly living quite comfortably after over five seasons and four years of Reality TV stardom, but an expenditure that large is enough to have anyone second guess their decision.

Amy and Tammy Slaton alike have overcome seemingly impossible hurdles during their stint on 1000-lb Sisters. While Tammy was initially resistant to change, she has undergone extensive improvements to her health and well-being. She is almost unrecognizable with her positive attitude and newfound independence. Her weight loss has transformed her body but left her with excess skin. As Tammy approaches the next phase in her journey, skin removal, she should heavily consider the consequences of the operation. While Tammy may gain confidence, the surgery may do more harm than good.