It's been exactly five years since comedian Lavell Crawford shared his incredible weight loss story.
Funnyman Lavell Crawford has always been a big guy. But this big guy has been making us crack up and fall out laughing for 20+ years. From comedy clubs to shows and movies like Breaking Bad and Netflix's Ridiculous 6, Lavell is the go to man for funny jokes including jokes about his weight.
RELATED: Lavell Crawford 120 Pounds Lighter & Still Funny As Ever!
But now, taking a look at his family life and goals, Levell is no longer laughing, but decided to do something about it. On a recent interview with Sway In the Morning, Lavell explained why and how he went about losing nearly 120 pounds.
"For all big folks out there, I'm gonna keep it real. I'm having the gastric sleeve," admits Crawford. "I'm 47 and I've got a beautiful 5-year-old son that I want to be around for. I've got a beautiful wife that I want to be here for. I don't want to leave her hanging."
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as the sleeve gastrectomy, has become a popular choice for patients seeking excellent weight loss in a straightforward procedure that doesn’t require the maintenance and long-term complication rates of a Lap Band.
Some benefits of gastric sleeve surgery are:
- Reduction of hunger
- Shorter operating time compared to gastric bypass.
- Does not re-route intestines.
- Reduces the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
- Less daily vitamins are needed after surgery compared to gastric bypass.
- The pylorus remains intact and sugars have time to digest since the intestines remain untouched.
- No adjustments are needed. The Lap Band requires regular adjustments (doctor visits).
- No foreign objects are left in the body. The Lap Band leaves a silicone band around the upper portion of your stomach.
- Weight loss occurs over 18 months. Gastric bypass weight loss is very quick. The majority of weight loss occurs in the first year.
"I've got up sugar and I lost 40 pounds. The thing about it is, I'm diabetic and my legs are swelling up from time to time, and blood pressure is a little high. So, I don't want to anything where one day you're walking down the street eating a hot dog and you fall out dead and someone says, 'See, I knew that was going to happen.'"
RELATED: 150-Pound Weight Loss: How Meal Prep Transformed His Body
“When you listen to your wife and your blood pressure, you’ve got to change some things. I’m walking and doing some medical things,” explains Crawford.
In the video below, you can see Steve Harvey hardly recognizes the comedian in his slimmer, new look. Harvey jokes as he is able to place and connect his arms around the comedian now.
"I don't want to leave her with 'woman, the hell with you' or 'woman, I'm done with you' or I don't want to leave her raising my children by herself, know what I mean," explains Crawford.
"In the same retrospect, if you could do something about your health then do it.
I work out, I take Brazilian jujitsu. But sometimes, man, as you get older, it's hard to keep your body healthy.
My schedule is drastic and a lot of times I'm on the road. If you don't take care of yourself, but now is the time that I should. I want to see 80 years old, so I need to do something so that I can at least see 80."
In parting, Lavell has some funny words for all those who are trying to get healthy: "Take care of yourself folks...and keep your bootyhole closed, LOL!"
RELATED: Lavell Crawford: "I Gave Away $10,000 Worth Of Clothes"
Only Lavelle. Big ups to you sir for being healthy! We applaud you and love you!
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