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Honestly, the internet has a short memory. We see a picture of Mama June Shannon looking drastically different—slim, wearing skinny jeans, and seemingly a new person—and we forget the decade of absolute chaos it took to get there. Everyone wants the "secret." They search for mama june skinny tips like there's a magic pill she’s been hiding.
The reality? It's messy. It’s expensive. And it’s not just about one surgery or one shot.
Most people remember the 2017 "From Not to Hot" era. That was the first big shock. June Shannon went from roughly 460 pounds down to a size 4. It was a $75,000 transformation that included a gastric sleeve, a "mommy makeover," a facelift, and more skin removal than most people can wrap their heads around. But here’s the thing about weight loss: it’s a moving target. If you’ve followed her recently, you know that by 2024, she had gained back about 130 pounds.
The Modern Comeback: Surgery vs. The Shot
By mid-2024, the conversation shifted. June was very vocal about the fact that she’d regained weight after the tragic loss of her daughter, Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell. Grief does things to the body. Stress eating isn't a "lack of willpower"; it's a physiological response.
June eventually decided to try tirzepatide (the generic form of Mounjaro) and semaglutide. For someone who already had a gastric sleeve, this was a big deal. She initially resisted the idea, telling people back in 2023 that Ozempic "wasn't for her." But things change. By June 2024, she had dropped 30 pounds in just about two months using these injections.
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By late 2025 and moving into early 2026, she’s back to maintaining around 195 pounds.
She isn't at that 2017 "size 4" level of skinny anymore, and frankly, she seems okay with that. There’s a difference between "TV skinny" and "healthy maintenance." June has recently stated that she hasn't even taken a shot since December 2024, opting instead to focus on what she calls a "lifestyle change."
The Financial Cost of Looking This Way
If you’re trying to replicate the mama june skinny look, you need a massive bank account. Let's break down the real numbers she spent during her initial overhaul, because it’s eye-watering:
- Gastric Sleeve: Roughly $8,000 to $10,000.
- The "Turkey Neck" Removal: $17,000.
- Arm Lift (The "Bat Wings"): $11,000.
- Breast Lift and Implants: $14,000.
- Tummy Tuck/Skin Removal: $15,000 (they removed 9 pounds of skin alone).
- Veneers: $10,000.
That’s a lot of debt or a lot of reality TV checks. Most of us don't have a production company footing the bill for a "Mommy Makeover."
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Why the "Skinny" Labels Are Misleading
We use the word "skinny" as if it's a permanent state of being. It's not. For June, her weight has been a rollercoaster. In 2026, she's dealing with separate health issues that she’s hinted at on social media, reminding fans that the scale doesn't tell the whole story.
You've got to realize that her body has been through the ringer. Multiple surgeries, significant weight fluctuations, and the physical toll of addiction recovery—which she has been very open about—mean her metabolism isn't "normal."
What Most People Miss
People see the photos and think, "I should get that surgery."
What they don't see is the "grisly side." June has talked about the pain. She called the gastric sleeve the "worst surgery" because of the recovery. Then there’s the skin removal. When you lose 300 pounds, your skin doesn't just "snap back." It hangs. It causes rashes. It's heavy. Dr. Daniel Kolder, who worked on her, basically described it as being a "tailor" for a human body.
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Actionable Insights for Your Own Journey
If you're looking at June's journey as inspiration, here is the realistic takeaway:
- Surgery is a Tool, Not a Cure: The gastric sleeve only works if you change the internal "software." June gained weight back despite the surgery.
- The Meds Work, But Have a Plan: June used tirzepatide to jumpstart her 2024 weight loss but moved off it to focus on maintenance. If you use GLP-1 meds, talk to a doctor about the "exit strategy" so you don't rebound.
- Protein is King: Whether she's on a "shot" or not, June stays strict about a protein-packed diet. This is non-negotiable for muscle retention during rapid loss.
- Mental Health Matters Most: She attributed much of her 130-pound gain to the stress of her daughter's illness and death. You cannot out-diet a mental health crisis. Fix the head, and the body usually follows.
The mama june skinny era of 2017 was a controlled TV spectacle. The 2026 version of June is more about survival and maintenance. It’s less "Hollywood" and a lot more human.
For anyone tracking her progress, the real lesson isn't in how she got thin, but in how she keeps getting back up after she stumbles. Focus on sustainable lifestyle changes—like her current routine of gym classes and proper eating—rather than the $75k surgical shortcut. Consistency will always beat a one-time procedure in the long run.