Tracy Matthews, a 44-year-old grandmother from Lorain, Ohio, once weighed 605 pounds. By age eleven she was already 170 pounds, and by high school graduation she reached 270. “Food was my only safe zone,” she admitted, explaining how childhood stress and her parents’ constant arguments led her to overeat.

Her weight spiraled further during pregnancies, each adding nearly 100 pounds. Eventually, her body developed severe lymphedema, making every step painful due to swelling and cellulite.

Tracy’s turning point came when she joined the reality show My 600-Lb. Life. Her only wish, she said, was “to be able to live close to my grandchildren and regain my health and mobility.”

Under a doctor’s supervision, she underwent complex operations that removed excess skin and weight from her legs, leading to a loss of about 167 pounds. Slowly, her strength returned as she fought lymphedema.

Now, Tracy can walk independently, live without constant pain, and enjoy everyday life with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She says she finally relishes each day with her family and is grateful for the second chance at life.