Ben Clark before and after weight loss – SWNSA Disney superfan who was so big he couldn't fit on the theme park rides has lost 230 pounds and now plays Prince Charming on stage.
Ben Clark weighed 420 pounds and had a 48-50 inch waist before traveling to Poland for gastric sleeve surgery in October 2022.
The Englishman realized the need to take action when he was denied boarding at some rides at Disney World after flying all the way to Florida, in September 2022.
Ben spent £5,000 on the procedure ($6,300), including flights and medication, and can now fit on the rides with ease.
“I'm a huge Disney nerd,” said the 35-year-old, who was involved in musical theatre as a young man and later as a dance teacher.
He’d always longed to return to the craft, and the hard work transforming his body allowed him to, finally, return to the stage. In fact, he landed his dream role in a stage production at St Lawrence College in Kent.
“I have been back on stage in three amateur shows (since losing weight), and finally played the role of Prince Charming in Cinderella.”
“The weight loss has given me confidence. I would not have been able to do this before.”
He’s grateful to his godmother, who recommended the clinic in Poland after she underwent the surgery a year before.
Ben Clark was able to fit on the Star Wars ride at Disney World in 2022 (via SWNS)Ben described the operation—which removed two-thirds of his stomach so he could ‘feel full’ eating smaller meals—was painful. It was also hard work hitting the necessary dietary targets before and after the surgery.
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“A lot of people think it is ’the easy way out’ but you still have to do a lot of work after. The stomach is still a muscle and you can stretch it, so for eight weeks after you are on a very strict diet.”
“I can eat anything, but only small amounts—like, I will have a small chicken breast and some vegetables and be full.
He now weighs 177 pounds and his diet has completely changed, thanks to a couple hacks that help keep him disciplined. (See his before-and-after diet at the bottom...)
“Instead of using a normal plate, I will use a side plate. It still looks like a full meal that way.”
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One of his worst habits was drinking two-plus liters of soda every day. Now he drinks water, juice, or decaf coffee.
“I still treat myself to chocolate or sweets, or what I want, but it's in small quantities and once in a blue moon.
Ben says his weight loss journey made him “a lot happier as a person” and inspired him to change careers and move from a small town to the big city of Manchester.
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He now intends to save money—both for procedures to have loose skin removed, and for a trip back to Florida to go on the Disney rides he missed two years ago.
DIET BEFORE WEIGHT LOSS:
Breakfast – nothing
Lunch – nothing
Mid afternoon snack – a cake or chocolate bar
Dinner – a fully cooked dinner portion for two, a roast
Late night snack – a take away – kebab, chips and chicken wings or a KFC or a large amount of McDonalds
Drinks – two litres of fizzy drink a day
DIET POST-SURGERY:
Breakfast – protein porridge or overnight oats
Mid morning snack – boiled egg or protein bar / shake
Lunch – chicken breast (flavoured) or a tin of tuna
Afternoon snack – nuts or hummus or protein bar / shake
Dinner – a heavy protein meal but side plate size
Drinks – water or squash, decaf coffee
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