Billy Gardell credits 2021 bariatric surgery for reversing type 2 diabetes

Billy Gardell, the actor best known for his role in the sitcom "Mike & Molly," stated that his 2021 bariatric surgery "probably saved my life" and eliminated his type 2 diabetes. Speaking on the "Breaking Bread" podcast, the 57-year-old explained that his decision to undergo the procedure was driven by a combination of health warnings and physical limitations that made traditional exercise impossible.

Gardell described developing type 2 diabetes along with what he called "some cholesterol stuff, some heart stuff." He recalled a conversation with his doctor who joked that "after 50 the warranties start running out." Gardell attributed his previous ability to manage his weight to decent genetics and a background in sports, noting that he was able to "carry the weight for a long time" before his body could no longer sustain it. The turning point came when he injured his knee, which prevented him from walking for exercise, prompting him to seek a drastic solution.

Following the surgery, Gardell reported that he is no longer on any medication and that his diabetes is gone. He explained that his current lifestyle requires him to be "real selective" about food intake because he only has "12 ounces to work with." Despite the physical changes, Gardell said the mental challenge remains, describing an internal struggle where the "fat Hulk is still running around" wanting to overindulge.

The weight loss has restored certain freedoms to Gardell's daily life, including the ability to hike with his wife and purchase clothing off the rack at the mall. He described these small victories as sources of deep gratitude. Gardell identified his wife, Patty Knight, and their son, William, as his primary motivating factors for maintaining his health. He expressed a desire to avoid a future where he cannot get out of a chair despite his professional successes.

Gardell noted that prior to the surgery, he would fluctuate by losing and gaining 30 pounds every year. At his heaviest, he weighed 379 pounds. In a December 2025 interview with People, he stated that he now maintains his weight through diet and exercise, fluctuating between 210 and 215 pounds.

Gardell rose to fame playing Melissa McCarthy's husband on "Mike & Molly" for six seasons from 2010 to 2016. He used his recent remarks to encourage others struggling with weight, stating that if he could succeed, others could as well, urging them to "do whatever it takes." He emphasized that his decision was for himself and his family, aiming to ensure he could continue to participate in their lives without physical constraints.