I’m Convinced Chris Combs’ Incredible Weight-Loss Milestones Inspired His Big Career Change (See Before And After Photos)

After losing so much weight on 1000-lb Sisters, Chris Combs was inspired to focus on growing his career. 44-year-old Chris made a name for himself as a supporting character on the beloved unscripted show. Since the series premiered in 2020, Chris has played a major role and been a fan favorite. The show centers on the weight-loss journeys of 38-year-old Tammy Slaton and her sister, 37-year-old Amy Slaton, but several of their other siblings are along for the ride, including Chris. Fans grew to love Chris’ positive attitude and fun-loving approach to losing weight.

When he made his television debut on 1000-lb Sisters, Chris weighed over 450 pounds, and he wasn’t living his best life. He wanted to be a good role model for his family, who leaned on him heavily. He especially wanted to set a good example for his daughter, who was starting to struggle with her own weight. Chris’ father passed away when he was around Chris’ age, and Chris didn’t want the same thing to happen to him. After receiving bariatric surgery, Chris dropped 150 pounds, and I think reaching his weight-loss milestone triggered Chris’ newfound focus on his career.

Chris Recently Suffered A Weight-Loss Setback

Loose Excess Skin Is A Major Problem For Chris

Losing so much weight so quickly greatly improved Chri’s quality of life, but there was a significant downside too, as it left the 1000-lb Sisters season 6 star with lots of loose excess skin. Setting aside how the skin looks, the bigger issue is that it presents unique hygiene challenges. With so much skin, it makes it difficult to keep dangerous bacteria from growing, which can lead to infection. In fact, Chris suffered from just such an infection at one point, which required medical treatment. Also, the extra skin is heavy and makes it difficult to move, let alone exercise.

With all the problems presented by carrying around so much loose excess skin, it’s no wonder Chris is desperate to have the skin surgically removed. He was eager to see his doctor, hoping he’d be approved for the cosmetic procedure. During an early episode of 1000-lb Sisters season 6, the entire Slaton family saw the doctor. When Chris stepped on the scale, he realized that he’d suffered a disappointing weight-loss setback. I myself was shocked that Chris hadn’t lost as much weight as he thought he had.

Chris stepped on the scale to discover that he weighed around 300 pounds, which is what he weighed during his last doctor’s visit many months earlier.

The 1000-lb Sisters season 6 star had expected to see a different number when he stepped on the scale. He thought he had lost at least 15 pounds since his last visit, so learning that he had plateaued was a huge shock. Adding insult to injury, the doctor denied his request for skin removal surgery, feeling that Chris needed to lose much more weight first. Thankfully, Chris had a great attitude about the disappointing news, promising to redouble his efforts to drop weight. I believe Chris’s good attitude is why he’s so popular with the show’s fans.

Chris Is Saving Money For Skin Removal Surgery

It Could Cost $100K

Chris is more determined than ever to lose the weight necessary to qualify for skin removal surgery, but the 1000-lb Sisters star is going to need to raise a lot more money. Skin removal surgery is actually a series of very expensive cosmetic treatments, and it costs close to a hundred thousand dollars. Being on a TLC reality show certainly doesn’t pay well enough to cover that kind of expense, so Chris has had to take on other jobs.

Aside from being on the show, Chris also works in the fast food service industry, as a manager at McDonald’s.

On top of appearing on 1000-lb Sisters, being a manager at McDonald’s, Chris sells celebrity messages on Cameo, and recently announced a sweet new side hustle. Chris’s wife, Brittany Combs, recently posted to Facebook about selling pecan pies. Chris may be dieting these days, and therefore not allowed to eat pecan pie, but the irony of selling pies to fund weight-loss surgery isn’t lost on me.

See Chris’ Before And After Photos

An Incredible Transformation

Chris may be disappointed by his weight-loss plateau, but I think the 1000-lb Sisters season 6 star should be proud of the incredible progress he’s made over the years. Losing weight changed Chris’ life and, in March, his doctor, Dr. Eric Smith, posted an amazing before and after of Chris on Instagram. On the left is a photo of Chris taken before he lost weight, wearing his fast-food uniform, and on the right side is a more recent photo of Chris finishing a 5k run. I think Chris deserves to be proud of his incredible weight-loss transformation.

Chris Announced His First Convention Appearance

A New Chapter

Reality TV stars can make quite a bit of money via celebrity appearances at conventions. In addition to potentially being paid for their appearances, it can also lead to introducing them to potential new fans. Recently, The National Corvette Museum posted a flier to Instagram announcing that Chris would appear at their March convention, alongside his wife, Brittany.

According to the post, this would be Chris’ first convention appearance.

It’s unclear why The National Corvette Museum would want Chris to appear at their convention, but I think it’s great either way. My hope is that it will lead to other opportunities for Chris, especially if the event goes well for the 1000-lb Sisters co-star. The posted flier features a photo of Chris replete in his Western wear, and another photo of Chris and Brittany posing together, which could mean Brittany will join him at the event. Like everyone else, I root for Chris, and I genuinely hope Chris earns enough money for the surgery he wants.

1000-lb Sisters season 6 airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.

Sources: Brittany Combs/Facebook, Dr. Eric Smith/Instagram, The National Corvette Museum/Instagram