Clinton Bell reveals incredible 50kg weight loss journey after gastric sleeve surgery

In the past four years, Clinton Bell has changed wardrobes four times as he shed more than 50kg. ‘At my biggest I could eat constantly and just never be full,’ he says. Here’s how he did it.

Clinton Bell has lost more than 50 kilograms in his weightloss journey.

In the past four years, Clinton Bell has changed wardrobes four times as he shed more than 50kg.

“At my biggest I could eat constantly and just never be full,” the 35-year-old Andergrove man shared.

“I still don’t know what size clothes I am, even though I’ve been at this weight now for two years.”

His journey began in September 2017 after deciding to have gastric sleeve surgery.

“I wasn’t happy with my weight at the time,” he said.

At his biggest, Mr Bell said he tipped the scales at 148kg “that I know of”.

After and before photos of Clinton Bell showcasing his weightloss journey.

“I liked eating, never did any exercise and I was just a bit depressed at the time,” he shared.

“I always found myself unattractive, never had any confidence.”

Two members of his family had also had the surgery with “excellent results”.

“I followed up with my GP, found out I was in the morbidly obese category and that I could have the surgery paid for out of my super,” he said.

So he underwent the surgery in Brisbane when he was 32 and for the past two years has fluctuated between 90 and 95kg.

The results started “immediately following the surgery”.

“It was quite rewarding,” he said.

“You lose anywhere up to two kilograms a week after the surgery, because of the way it works and your post-op diet.

Clinton Bell said he had changed wardrobes four times as he lost more than 50kg. Photo: Janessa Ekert

“So your body is really just smashing out on using whatever stored energy it has which is why it’s such an effective surgery.”

Although his diet has largely remained the same, Mr Bell said he focused a lot more on portion control and meal prep.

“I will cook up a week’s worth of meals and then freeze it so when I do come home I just grab a small container out and microwave it,” he said.

Mr Bell said he and his partner, who had also had the surgery, were looking at joining a gym.

Previously he was working about 60 hours a week as a truck driver, which he said left little time for much else.

“I was working 12-hour shifts Monday to Friday,” he said.

“I would come home … and just feel like not doing anything.”

However he has already transitioned in his work-life balance and was hoping to find more time.

Mr Bell said since his weight loss he was a lot more confident in himself.

“It’s been drastically different, but I find it very hard to explain how it’s changed,” he said.

“Probably the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with is just the rapidly changing wardrobe.

“You start at a big size and then you lose all this weight, you have to go down clothes, and then within a few months you’re not fitting into them so you have to get a new wardrobe.”

Mr Bell also admitted when shopping he still thought of himself as a “bigger guy” when selecting clothes.

“You go somewhere and see a really nice shirt and think … that’s going to look great on me, only to try it on and it’s four sizes too big because you’re still in that mindset,” he said.

“That’s probably the most confusing part of all of this.”

Mr Bell said he would be happy to talk through his weight loss journey with anyone considering the surgery. Please reach out to this publication and we will put you in touch.