1000-Lb Sisters: Fans Are Crushing On Tammy’s Weight Loss Surgeon Dr. Eric Smith (He Changed Her Life)

Fans of the reality series 1000-lb Sisters have nothing but love for Dr. Eric Smith, the doctor who helped Tammy Slaton lose over 400 pounds. When the series premiered in 2020, Tammy weighed 725 pounds and was a prisoner in her own house. Despite her diminished quality of life, Tammy had no real intention of losing weight. After a health scare landed her in a medically induced coma, Tammy decided she had to do something drastic.

After meeting Dr. Smith, Tammy focused on diet, exercise, and cognitive therapy to lose enough weight to qualify for bariatric surgery. After Dr. Smith performed her surgery, Tammy dropped even more weight and is now almost unrecognizable. Since losing weight, Tammy has been thriving and living her best life. 1000-lb Sisters fans credit Dr. Smith with helping Tammy get to where she is today.

Dr. Eric Smith Helped Tammy Slaton To Lose 420 Pounds

The Doctor Is In

When not treating Tammy, Dr. Smith works at Georgetown Community Hospital in Georgetown, Kentucky, where he treats obese patients and performs bariatric surgery. He has appeared in three seasons of 1000-lb Sisters and believes that people struggling with obesity deserve respect, empathy, and patience. “You can’t scare people into their rock bottom,” Dr. Smith said in an interview with local Kentucky news station, LEX 18 News. “You can’t push them into their rock bottom, but when they hit it, it’s our job to be there for them and support them,” he added. Dr. Smith is known for his excellent bedside manner.

Dr. Smith specializes in performing robotic bariatric surgery and is one of the country’s leading doctors conducting the procedure. Since starting his practice in 2006, Dr. Smith has performed thousands of bariatric procedures, so the Slatons are in excellent hands. He is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. In addition to treating patients all day, Dr. Smith is also an in-demand national speaker who talks about the use of robotics in general and bariatric surgery.

How Dr. Eric Smith Helped Tammy Slaton Lose Weight

Healing Emotional Wounds

Dr. Smith’s unique approach involves addressing the psychological issues that are often the drivers of obesity. Though he’s a bariatric surgeon, Dr. Smith understands there is no magic to weight loss. He wouldn’t operate on Tammy until she lost enough weight to show him she was committed. “There’s a lot of hurt that Tammy has experienced through her life,” he said, adding, “I think once we’re able to get Tammy to deal with some of her, say personal demons, then she’s more apt to be able to do what she needs to do to be successful.”

Tammy and Amy told People that the origins of their weight gain date back to childhood, and they attribute it to genetics, socioeconomic factors, and emotional eating. “I’ve always had a weight issue,” Tammy said. “Our whole family’s big,” Amy added. Tammy had to address her emotional issues before she could focus on losing weight. After Tammy had lost enough weight to qualify for surgical intervention, Dr. Smith was the one who performed Tammy’s bariatric surgery.

Did Dr. Eric Smith Help Amy Slaton, Chris Combs & Amanda Halterman?

All In The Family

Tammy isn’t the only Slaton family member who’s a patient of Dr. Smith’s. Though he didn’t work with Tammy’s sister and fellow 1000-lb Sisters star, Amy, Dr. Smith has worked with Chris Combs, Amanda Halterman, and Misty Wentworth. In March, Dr. Smith posted before-and-after photos of Chris on Instagram, celebrating Chris being able to run a 5k. The caption reads, “I know I tell you this all the time buddy, but your post-surgery journey and hard work have been nothing short of spectacular.” In January, Dr. Smith posted a photo of Tammy and Amy’s half-sister, Misty, going in for surgery.

1000-lb Sisters season 5 features a scene where Misty and Amanda speak to Tammy, Amy, and Chris about potentially undergoing weight-loss surgery. “Me and Misty’s been going to see Dr. Smith,” Amanda tells her siblings. The Slatons discuss their biggest fears about the procedure, which can include death. During the gripping 1000-lb Sisters scene, Amy feared for Misty and Amanda’s lives. “Hearing Amanda and Misty get worked up about the surgery and them not making it out, it’s scary,” Amy said, adding, “One slip and, oop, Amanda’s gone, or, oop, Misty’s gone. I need my sisters […] it’s family.”

Fans Think The 1000-Lb Sisters Doctor Is Impressive

Dr. Thirst Trap?

After appearing in three seasons of 1000-lb Sisters so far, Dr. Smith is a fan favorite. In March, Tammy posted an Instagram photo of Dr. Smith holding up a magazine centerfold photo of Tammy and Amy. Tammy’s followers took to the comment section to offer their appreciation for Dr. Smith. “Love how the doc is even still supporting them,” wrote one Instagram user, while another wrote, “Low key so wholesome to see a dr that actually cares about his patients.”

Some fans were appreciative of Dr. Smith for attributes besides his skills, intellect, and dedication to his patients. Many 1000-lb Sisters fans think that Dr. Smith is very attractive. As one Instagram user put it, “I’d lose weight too if my doctor looked like this!” Since Dr. Smith has become such an integral part of the Slatons’ lives, he’s sure to be back during 1000-lb Sisters season 6.