Mama June Debuts Dramatic Weight Loss – But Opens up About a New Health Scare

A reality TV star stunned fans this week after stepping out in New York looking noticeably slimmer and sporting a fiery new hairstyle. But behind the dramatic transformation lies a troubling mystery, as the television personality quietly revealed she is battling an undisclosed health issue.

The television matriarch at the center of the attention was Mama June Shannon, who appeared at SiriusXM Studios on March 4, where photographers captured her smiling alongside family members while debuting her latest look.

Mama June wore a black-and-beige outfit and showed off bright red hair, a striking departure after decades as a blonde. The new photos highlighted her dramatic weight loss, immediately sparking conversation among fans who have followed her health struggles and personal journey for years.

A Quiet Admission About a Troubling Health Battle

While celebrating her transformation, the reality TV star also revealed she is dealing with ongoing medical concerns, though she admitted she is not yet ready to share the full details publicly.

During a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Mama June acknowledged the issue has begun affecting her daily life. "There's some days that I'm good, and then there's some days that I'm just… and they can tell when I'm off," the reality TV star said.

She explained that viewers will soon see more about what she is experiencing when the new season of her reality series premieres.

"You will see what I'm going through medically on the thing, and until that comes out, I'm not comfortable with talking about it," Mama June said. "I do want to go to social media because I think a lot of women deal with what I'm dealing with. I had a total hysterectomy unexpectedly last April. It did shoot me into menopause, but no, that's not um I'm dealing with issues that we knew probably had years ago, and now they've just got worse. They've even got worse over the last 6 months, the last three months. And I just kind of like navigate it."

She also hinted at the frightening potential impact of the condition, explaining that while it is not expected to be fatal, it could still dramatically affect her life. "I know it will not kill me what I have. We know that. As of right now, we know that. But it could debilitate me to where I couldn't move."

"I am still dealing with the medical issues, and I don't want to go public with those until we find out where we are and what the treatment is going to be," Mama June told DailyMail.com. "So, the only thing that I've came public with is a hysterectomy, not the other health issues."

From 460 Pounds to a Televised Transformation

For longtime viewers, Mama June's physical transformation has been one of the most talked-about aspects of her television career.

Her journey began after her weight climbed to 460 pounds, a moment that eventually pushed her to pursue a major lifestyle change.

Her daughters, Alana Thompson and Lauryn Efird, previously explained how Mama June began shedding pounds after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in May 2016 — a procedure that reduces the size of the stomach to help patients eat less. Lauryn recalled that the surgery initially helped her mother lose weight, though progress eventually slowed.

"She had gastric sleeve back in May of 2016, and then she slowly started losing weight, and the reason she got the gastric sleeve was because she hit a plateau -- she couldn't lose any weight," Lauryn told Entertainment Tonight. "And then it came to a point where [the trainer] had to step in because she hit another plateau with the gastric sleeve, and wasn't losing any more weight."

Trainer Kenya Crooks later stepped in to help Mama June continue her fitness progress. After shedding a significant amount of weight, she also underwent surgery to remove excess skin following the dramatic drop in pounds.

Lauryn explained why the procedure became necessary. "Her stomach started looking gross," Lauryn said. "It was hanging from where she lost so much weight, and her arms and her chin, so she got [the skin on] her stomach removed."

Heartbreak and Setbacks Along the Way

Despite her progress, Mama June's journey has been marked by painful setbacks. In recent years, she gained around 100 pounds while supporting her daughter Anna Cardwell during her devastating cancer battle.

Anna died in December 2023 at age 29 after fighting stage 4 adrenal carcinoma — a heartbreaking loss that took a major toll on the family.

The emotional strain also impacted Mama June's health and habits. Eventually, she began using semaglutide injections in an effort to lose weight again.

Over time, the treatment helped her shed the additional pounds. She ultimately stopped taking the medication in December 2024 after accidentally leaving the injections behind during a vacation.

Family Remains at the Center of Her Life

Through every twist in her personal life, Mama June's family has remained her anchor. During her appearance at SiriusXM Studios, she posed proudly with three of her daughters — Lauryn Efird, Alana Thompson, and Jessica Shannon — as the group promoted their reality series.

The family dynamic has also shifted following Anna's death. Mama June has since taken custody of her granddaughter Kaitlyn, who had been living with her mother.

She admitted the transition has been emotional but meaningful for the family. "Kaitlyn's been here for over a year now because they lived in the house where Anna passed away, and she's getting adjusted," Mama June said in an interview with People.

She added that the young girl carries powerful reminders of her late mother. "She definitely reminds us of Anna," Mama June stated. "I tell a lot of people that if you want to know what Anna looked like as a teenager, Kaitlyn. Attitude, the way she talks, the way she acts, everything is Anna to a f------ T."

Mama June also acknowledged the adjustment for herself and her husband, Justin Stroud, whom she married in 2022. "It is kind of an adjustment for me and Justin because honestly, the first year of our relationship, we didn't have any kids in the house," Mama June admitted.

The family's latest struggles and milestones will soon unfold on screen. The upcoming season of "Mama June: Family Crisis" premieres March 13 on We TV and promises to document Mama June's ongoing health struggles, family challenges, and personal changes.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding her medical condition, Mama June continues to step into the spotlight — sharing moments with her daughters while navigating the next chapter of her life.