From gastric sleeve surgery to cycles of weight gain and loss, Mama June has been on a turbulent weight loss journey for years. However, her latest transformation reveals a stunningly slim figure that sparked admiration and support from fans across social media. See how she looks now.
Mama June Shannon, commonly known as just Mama June, the unforgettable reality star who first rose to fame with her family on “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” has undergone an impressive transformation.
Mama June photographed on December 3, 2015, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
After years of weight loss struggles, Mama June recently revealed her dramatic 78-pound weight loss, leaving fans in awe of her dedication to a healthier lifestyle. Take a look at her inspiring journey and how she achieved this transformation.
Mama June at the premiere of “Growing Up Hip Hop” on January 5, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images
Mama June and Her Family
Mama June first captured viewers’ attention through her family’s reality TV show, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.” Premiering in 2012, the show followed the mother of four and her daughter Alana Thompson, better known to fans as Honey Boo Boo, after Alana’s breakout on “Toddlers & Tiaras.”
Mama June and her daughters spotted on January 18, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
With their quirky personalities and lively interactions, the family quickly became pop culture fixtures. Through years of highs and lows, Mama June and her four daughters remained in the public eye, often sharing the struggles and triumphs they experienced along the way.
Mama June Shannon and Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson photographed at The Grove on October 15, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Her eldest daughter, Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell, faced a heart-wrenching battle with cancer in 2023. In January, Anna, then 28, was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma after complaining of persistent stomach pain.
According to reports, doctors discovered the cancer had spread to her liver, kidney, and lungs. Despite the family rallying around Anna, she passed away peacefully on December 10, 2023, surrounded by loved ones in Mama June’s home.
The mother of four shared the devastating news on Instagram, writing in part, “With the breaking heart, we are announcing that @annamarie35 is no longer with us[…]. She gave one hell of a fight for 10 months […] [sic].”
Anna left behind two daughters, Kaitlyn Elizabeth, born in 2012, and Kylee Madison, born in 2015. In May 2022, she shared on Instagram, “Y’all I got a first grader 🥺😭😩I am so proud of my baby for going to first grade she is so smart excuse me while I go cry because I am getting old 😢.”
Mama June’s second eldest, Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon, brought her own resilience to the family. Born on October 12, 1996, to Mama June and Michael Anthony Ford, Jessica has shared her journey to a healthier lifestyle, achieving a significant weight loss in 2020 which boosted her confidence.
Mama June’s third daughter, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon, was born on January 7, 2000. She, too, became a focal point in the mother of four’s life, especially after starting her own family.
In January 2023, Lauryn celebrated her twins’ eight-month milestone, and in May of the same year, her oldest child graduated from pre-kindergarten.
Finally, Alana, the youngest and perhaps most famous of Mama June’s children, rose to stardom with her lively personality and memorable catchphrases.
Born on August 28, 2005, to Mama June and her ex-partner Mike “Sugar Bear” Thompson, Alana brought a unique charm that made her the face of the family’s fame.
Mama June’s Weight Loss Journey
Mama June’s weight loss journey has spanned years of effort, setbacks, and new beginnings. Her journey started in 2015 when she underwent gastric sleeve surgery, a procedure that offered her an initial transformation but came with its own challenges.
Mama June Shannon at “Extra” at Universal Studios Hollywood on January 11, 2018. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the dramatic change, the reality TV star struggled to maintain the results, and over the past year, she regained between 120 to 130 pounds. She also once lost 160 pounds in just six weeks, a period she later admitted during an interview was unhealthy.
Mama June and Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson photographed on June 11, 2018, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Determined to find a lasting approach, she recently turned to weight loss medication and opened up about the experience in June. “It isn’t as fast as a gastric sleeve or a gastric bypass, but it is doing it, like, more safer,” Mama June said.
She shared that the medication helped her lose 30 pounds in just two months, adding that she was transparent about it because she understood the difficulties many face with weight loss.
Mama June at the Bossip Best Dressed List event on July 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Mama June wasn’t alone in her journey — her husband publicly supported her, expressing pride in her progress in a TikTok video. He emphasized, “It’s not really about losing weight. It’s about being able to be healthy.”
Mama June was also committed to making other lifestyle changes. She worked out three to four times each week and adjusted her eating habits to prioritize better nutrition. She took to social media earlier this year to update her followers on her progress, sharing how she felt great, and encouraging others to add protein to their diets.
Mama June spotted walking in midtown on May 5, 2023, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
The mother of four even revealed that she had a new outlook on food and nutrition, a perspective she hoped would keep her focused. Though proud of her progress, she shared her goal of losing another 70 pounds, aiming to reach a weight of 170 to 180 pounds.
However, Mama June’s journey hasn’t just been about diet and exercise. Over the years, she underwent several surgeries, including breast augmentation and skin removal surgeries. Her skin removal procedures targeted areas she described as her “turkey neck” and “bat wings,” where doctors removed nine pounds of loose skin.
She remarked, “It’s not like I’m Miss Plastic. I don’t consider a tummy tuck or face skin removal ‘plastic surgery.’ I believe it’s something that makes you feel better than you did with the skin hanging. I can promise you I’m never going back to my old size. I’m happy where I’m at.”