My name is Ron Lester; although some may know me as “Billy Bob” from the movie Varsity Blues. I’m still the same ‘ole fun-loving character. Throughout my life I’ve been extremely blessed. Blessed with great opportunities, great experiences, and work which has helped me to live out my dream as an actor. Not only that, but I have been blessed to still be alive and standing here today. My story is one of the trials and tribulations with living in a 508-pound body, of undergoing gastric bypass surgery ( DIVERSION with DUODENAL SWITCH ) and the aftermath of losing my identity. I can only hope that through my story others will find encouragement and the inspiration to work through their own struggles with weight and to find their true inner self, just as I did.
Growing up I was always the "fat kid.” My whole life was spent on and off diets, weight loss fads, and constantly being in and out of clinics and fat camps. There was even a point in my life where I was hospitalized for my eating disorder.
Being overweight always played a negative role in my life. Before I knew it, this negative aspect turned into an attribute. All of a sudden my weight rewarded me with feature roles in movies and television series as the funny, overweight sidekick. At the height of my career, I was a whopping 508 pounds and about to die.
Once I finally decided enough was enough, I underwent gastric bypass surgery to try and change my body and life for the better. On December 20th, 2000, I landed in NYC, met with my doctor (for the first time) and then 24-hours I laid down later on the operating table. The surgeries didn’t stop there. I underwent 17 plastic surgeries over the next 4 years to remove the excess skin that was left after losing over 300 pounds of fat.
Most people, including myself, thought that losing the weight was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Truthfully, I flat lined. I looked good but I still felt as if I was 508 pounds. Losing all that weight only helped in revealing the inner demons which had been hiding all those years under layers of excess fat. Not only was I dealing with the inner struggles that surfaced, but also my overall physical transformation. It was hard, and sometimes still is! Looking in the mirror and barely recognizing myself; as well as having others barely recognize me is a daily thing.
To date, with a total weight loss of 348 pounds and a regained lease on life, I have found my inner light and my inner self. Again, I can only hope that my story will allow others to find the light in themselves.
Whatever tomorrow brings.....I will be there!
Cheers
Ron
