Billy Gardell Says Bariatric Surgery Wasn’t the Answer to Losing Over 150 Lbs.: ‘Just the Beginning’ (Exclusive)

Billy Gardell had to put in a lot of effort to lose over 150 pounds. in less than two years.

The Bob Hearts Abisholstar, 54, recently spoke with PEOPLE about his incredible physical transformation and why bariatric surgery was “just the beginning” of his weight loss journey.

“I’ve been scared a few times, but at some point you get sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “I was so big it hurt to exercise. Then I got type 2 diabetes and was on medication for about a year and a half. And then I said, ‘Do I really want to be on drugs for the rest of my life?'”

Gardell says he’s “tried everything” to lose weight on his own, but has never succeeded.

“My cycle was lose 30 lbs., gain 35 lbs., lose 30 lbs., gain 35 lbs., which is a yo-yo, I think for a lot of people, even on a smaller scale, that seems to be the thing . “, he explains. “So I needed something drastic, but it couldn’t happen until I was ready to surrender that even with surgery, I would have to change my way of thinking.”

Billy Gardell ‘Walks Around Pretty Healthy’ After Losing 150 Pounds: ‘It Was a Gift’

Billy Gardell on ‘Mike & Molly’ with Melissa McCarthy.

Sonja Flemming/CBS/Everett

The Mike & Molly alum admits that he decided to “change everything” only when the COVID pandemic began and when he realized that he was at greater risk due to his weight.

“The idea that I’m not here for my wife or child motivated me to change, motivated me to commit to whatever it takes to get well,” he says. “Sometimes you need help and you have to be humble enough to ask for help to make that happen.”

Gardell says he finally consulted and underwent bariatric surgery in July 2022 with Dr. Philippe Quilici, who “changed and saved my life.” The actor points out that he is not suggesting to anyone that they follow his weight loss path, but that the operation was “the right decision” for him.

“But what I will say about this surgery is that it’s not the answer, it’s just the beginning,” he emphasizes, noting that one in four people gain the weight back later after surgery.

“So my suggestion to anyone who is thinking about this is to study and really dive into the commitment that is required after surgery to maintain this and take care of yourself,” he continues. “If you’re not willing to make that commitment, don’t do the surgery. But if you’re willing to make that commitment, then it’s been an incredibly healthy change for my life.”

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Billy Gardell on ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’.

Bill Inoshita/CBS via Getty

Gardell says he now has a consistent regimen that has allowed him to lose 170 pounds. since his surgery. His routine includes a healthy diet of lean meat and vegetables, daily walks and training three times a week. He also allows himself a “cheat meal” once a week, but with smaller portions: “two slices of pizza as opposed to a whole pie”.

And with an average weight of about 207 lbs., Gardell says, “I’m out of prison.” She admits that she is just now getting used to her new body after her weight loss journey and that “small victories fill the tank”.

“I’ve really learned that it’s about not looking in the mirror and being mean to yourself and saying, ‘Oh, you’ve got to change this. Come on, you lazy shit. Go on.’ None of that works,” he tells PEOPLE. “You have to look in the mirror and say, ‘Okay, I love you and I’m going to take care of you today.’ And that’s hard to achieve until you develop emotionally. And I think that’s what happened to me.”

For more on Billy Gardell, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine, on newsstands everywhere Friday, or subscribe here.

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