‘My trip to Disney was ruined when I couldn't fit on some of the rides - I knew something had to change’

A man whose size meant he couldn't fit on the rides at Disney World has revealed how he lost a staggering 16 stone.

Ben Clark, 35, tipped the scales at more than 30 stone and had a 48 to 50 inch waist. He realised the need to take action on his weight when he was unable to board rides at Disney World during a trip to Orlando, Florida, US, in September 2022.

The following month he travelled to Poland for gastric sleeve surgery and forked out £5,000 on the procedure, including flights and medication. He went on to lose a huge 16st 7lbs and can now fit on the rides with ease and even landed his dream role as Prince Charming in Cinderella at the Taylor Hall at St Lawrence College in Kent.

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Ben, who is a level manager at the Co-Op Live, from Manchester, said: "I couldn’t go on some of the rides because I couldn't fit. I'm a huge Disney nerd.

"I have been back on stage in three amateur shows since and finally played the role of Prince Charming. The weight loss has given me confidence and it makes it easier. I would not have been able to do this before."

The clinic in Poland came under the recommendation of Ben’s godmother who went under the knife a year before. Ben described the operation as "painful" and the need to diet before and after as "hard work".

The surgery removed two thirds of his stomach - restricting the amount he needs to eat to feel full. He has since lost 16st 7lbs - and now weighs 12st 9lbs and can wear a waist size of 30 to 32 inches.

Ben said: "A lot of people think it is the easy way out but you still have to do a lot of work after.

“The stomach is still a muscle and you can stretch it, so for eight weeks after you are on a very strict diet."

Post-surgery, Ben said his diet has completely changed but he still employs hacks to trick himself into keeping disciplined.

He said: "My biggest thing was I'd easily drink two plus litres of fizzy drink a day.

"I still treat myself to chocolate or sweets or what I want but it's in small quantities and once in a blue moon. I can eat anything but only small amounts, like I will have a small chicken breast and some vegetables and be full.

"Instead of using a normal plate, I will use a side plate. It still looks like a full meal that way."

When Ben was younger, he was involved in musical theatre as a dancer and later as a dance teacher, and had always longed to return to the craft.

Ben’s body transformation has allowed him to return to the stage. He achieved his dream of playing the pantomime prince in the Margate Operatic Society’s production of Cinderella.

Ben also said that the weight loss journey had made him “a lot happier as a person” and inspired him to change careers and move from Margate to Manchester.

He now intends to save money both for procedures to have loose skin removed and for a trip to Florida.

He said: "I really want to have the chance to do the trip again and do those rides and experience Florida as a slimmer person."