Pawn Stars celeb Austin Lee "Chumlee" Russell, typically known as "Chumlee," has lost an extreme amount of weight following gastric sleeve surgery. He has dealt with other issues in the public eye, and until now, how much he weighed was never really a hot topic. While he wasn't thin, he always carried his weight quite well. At the height of his weight issues, Chumlee weighed 350 pounds, and was concerned about his health. Though he was trying to prioritize his weight at the time, he decided to consult a doctor about his issues, rather than continuing on his own.

Chumlee's been on Pawn Stars since its premiere in 2009, and grew up in front of cameras, while working at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a childhood friend of Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison, whose family owns the store, Chumlee has been a huge part of its overall success. After gaining notoriety himself, Chumlee found himself dealing with legal issues that forced him to get serious about his life. Through the years, he's turned things around, and wound up opening a candy shop, but continued working with the Harrison family. In 2019, he decided that he needed to make a change, and wound up having bariatric surgery.

Pawn Stars' Chumlee Decided To Lose Weight

In the above photo from Chumlee's Instagram, taken in 2021, he's significantly heavier, and might have wanted to lose some weight. Chumlee shared with People that he has lived with weight issues for his entire life. At times, his weight would fluctuate by up to 100 pounds from year to year. Knowing that the dramatic shifts in his weight were not good for his overall health. Chumlee decided to take control by prioritizing his health. He did so by getting medical attention at a bariatric clinic in Nevada. At 350 pounds, Chumlee had gastric sleeve surgery, and then needed to maintain his weight loss results.

Pawn Stars' Chumlee Looked Fit In Gucci Pants In 2022

After his surgery, Chumlee was able to lose over 160 pounds in a one-year period. At his slimmest, he weighed about 190 pounds. In the above photo from Chumlee's Instagram, he seemed to be at his thinnest. It might seem confusing that he lost so much weight, especially if a person is unaware that he's had gastric sleeve surgery. There were concerns about the Pawn Stars mainstay, as he's dealt with drug charges in the past. Fortunately, he seems to be healthy.

Throughout Chumlee's Instagram comments, fans have taken the opportunity to comment on his weight loss. It's a big change for Chumlee, who has always been notably heavier. People who frequent his comments have taken notice of his new look. Many of the comments were centered on his weight, but most were supportive of the Pawn Stars star. For example, @iamdirtydee2022 said, "Don't ever let this world change you, you were made to change this world." Others were a bit harsher about Chumlee's fashion choices, though @dawright1983 evened things out by saying, "Not my style but hey whatever u like."

Pawn Stars' Chumlee Looks Sleek In 2023

Chumlee, who has started dabbling in card trading and attending conventions, has clearly done his best to stay healthy, as he continues to recover from his bariatric surgery. While it's possible that he put some weight back on, Chumlee appears more joyful than he was before his surgery. In his most recent photos, Chumlee looks really happy. He's smiling in a sincere way, and it's nice to see his positive state of mind. As someone who has endured difficulties, ranging from legal issues to body image issues, he's made incredible progress.

Bariatric surgery can be difficult in every stage, even with a support system. Surgery requires recovery time, and patients must eat mindfully afterward. Chumlee has great people around him, who definitely help the reality star. However, being in the public eye can make the journey harder, as any changes in weight may be noted by fans. Even though he might have gained back some pounds, Chumlee is clearly still prioritizing his health, while growing his brand and business. The Pawn Stars star has done his best to hold himself accountable. If his glowing face is any indication, he's doing a great job.

Sources: People, Chumlee/Instagram, Chumlee/Instagram, Chumlee/Instagram