My 600lb Life star looks unrecognisable after losing more than 20 stone

Warning: This article contains descriptions of child abuse which some readers may find triggering

Paula weighed in at 542 pounds (38.5 stone) when she appeared on the hit reality show in 2014.

After Paula lost her husband, who died aged 33 due to health complications related to his weight following a stroke and suffering from meningitis, she decided to turn her life around.

Fearing that her children would be left without both their parents if she didn’t make a change, Paula started a weight loss journey.

"My husband died so now it’s my job to protect my kids," she said on the show.

The mum-of-four had struggled with overeating after she was molested at age six but she has since worked to change her eating habits and the emotional distress attached to them.

"I’ve been overweight since I was molested’ she shared during the TLC series. "I blamed my mum for a lot of what happened to me as a child and I still haven’t made peace with her so I’m going to go see her for the first time in two years."

Now, Paula shares pictures on Instagram with her fans to show her incredible new way of life.

She adopted an all-liquid diet and opted for gastric bypass surgery. Paula managed to shed 273 pounds (19.5 stone) in her first year of weight loss in 2015.

Paula now weighs 200lbs (14.3 stone) and usually shares selfies on social media showing her new look.

However, Paula’s journey isn’t just about looking different by shedding weight. Since her appearance on the show, Paula has continued with counselling and has employed a personal trainer.

To celebrate the anniversary of her weight-loss journey, Paula shared an Instagram post showing her sitting in the driver’s seat of her car over the course of three years.

She captioned the post: “Best decision of my life! No it wasn't easy but it changed my life forever! #igotthis.”

"You are an excellent example of stamina, strength and inspiration for everyone around the world," One fan responded in the comments.

In January 2021, she shared another collage of images showing her weight loss success. "Where am I now? See for yourself," she wrote for the caption.

A fan commented: "What a great inspiration you are."

While another person shared: "That is truly amazing, congratulations!!"

Congratulations Paula!