At 44, She Weighed 605 Pounds — But Her Determination Changed Everything
Tracy Matthews, a 44-year-old grandmother from Lorain, Ohio, once reached a staggering 605 pounds. Her struggle with weight began early — by age eleven she was already 170 pounds, and by the time she graduated high school, she had reached 270.
Growing up in a tense household, food became her comfort. “It was the only thing that made me feel safe,” Tracy shared. Emotional eating soon turned into a lifelong battle she couldn’t escape.
During her pregnancies, things got worse — each time she gained nearly 100 pounds. The extra weight caused severe lymphedema, leaving her legs swollen and painful, making it almost impossible to move.
Her wake-up call came when she joined My 600-Lb. Life, determined to change her future. “All I want,” she said tearfully, “is to live near my grandchildren and walk without pain.”
With medical support and several surgeries, doctors removed large amounts of excess skin and fat, helping her lose around 167 pounds. The recovery was long and painful, but Tracy never gave up.
Today, she can walk on her own again. She spends time with her grandchildren, cooks healthy meals with her husband, and appreciates the little moments she once couldn’t enjoy.
“I got my life back,” Tracy says proudly. “Every day now feels like a blessing.”
