Overview
- The actor says a 2020 type 2 diabetes diagnosis at 370–380 pounds, combined with COVID-19 risk warnings, spurred him to overhaul his health.
- He underwent bariatric surgery on July 17, 2021, describing it as the beginning of a broader transformation rather than a standalone fix.
- Gardell credits surgeon Dr. Philippe Quilici and nutritionist Teri Hlubik, meeting Hlubik weekly to address emotional eating and reframe food as fuel.
- Around the time he pursued surgery, he used Ozempic to help reset his relationship with food, with the goal of eventually discontinuing the medication.
- He now fluctuates between 210 and 215 pounds and maintains the loss with set meals, 75 ounces of water daily, vitamins and workouts three to four times a week, reporting renewed energy and everyday gains like surfing and fitting in a middle airplane seat.