Here’s How Mama June Lost 300 Pounds And Became A Size 4

Mama June has been all over the news as of late after going from 460 pounds to a size 4. The “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” star chronicled her weight loss journey on “Mama June: From Not to Hot,” which aired in 2017.

Despite the family’s sad history, fans tuned in to see Mama June’s dramatic transformation.

So how’d she do it? The incredible transformation combined diet, exercise and multiple surgeries. She received gastric bypass surgery in May 2016 after hitting a plateau with her weight loss. Then she followed with a breast augmentation and skin removal surgery.

As Entertainment Tonight noted on Instagram, Mama June’s journey was a several-year journey and not a quick fix, as many believe gastric bypass to be.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSrBZKWhnwk/?tagged=mamajune&hl=en

If dieting and exercise just won’t shed the pounds, like in Mama June’s case, gastric bypass is usually the last resort. The surgery reduces the size of the stomach, meaning patients feel full sooner while eating, among other things.

According to the Bariatric Surgery Source, those who have the surgery lose up to 65 percent of excess weight within one year. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery said 196,000 people had the surgery in 2015.

The Risks Of Bariatric Surgery

While there are risks to any surgery—including bariatric—it is up to the patient and his or her doctor to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. One study found the risk of death from bariatric surgery to be .13 percent (about one in 1,000), though non-fatal complications like “dumping syndrome” occur in an estimated 40 percent of cases.

Post-surgery, Mama June said she watches her portions and cuts back on carbs.

“The one thing that I cannot live without is my grapes and cheese,” she told Life & Style. She also cut out soda and now swaps it for fruit-infused or flavored water. Mama June also bakes her meals. Plus she walks everywhere she can, has a personal trainer and tries to keep herself occupied with things other than food.

“Honestly, when I first started losing weight, it was just being more active, being busy with the show and doing more things with ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,'” she told In Touch Weekly.

Gastric Bypass Diet Recommendations

For gastric bypass patients, a diet high in protein and low in carbs is recommended. Also, doctors recommend eating smaller portion sizes and avoiding trigger foods. The full recommendations list can be seen here.

RELATED: How This Teacher Dropped 115 Pounds After Deciding Against Surgery

If you’re considering surgical intervention when it comes to weight loss, here is a handy tool to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.