400 Pounds At 16: My Incredible Weight Loss Journey | A Life In the Balance | Only Human

At age 16, Brandon Bennett weighed 411 pounds and his body was a walking time bomb. Due to his morbid obesity, the Houston teenager suffered from a range of serious medical problems that threatened to greatly reduce his lifespan, including severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure and a risk of diabetes. After trying numerous diets with no success, Brandon decided to pursue having a gastric bypass operation to help him lose the excess weight. The surgery is rarely performed on teenagers because the risks are extremely high, so finding a surgeon to operate was a challenge. OBESE AT 16: A LIFE IN THE BALANCE follows Brandon for one year as he overcomes obstacles to get the surgery he desperately needs, undergoes the bypass operation and experiences post-operation lifestyle changes. Through a first person perspective, OBESE AT 16: A LIFE IN THE BALANCE raises awareness of the teenage obesity epidemic and the severe health problems that often result from obesity. The show raises the question of whether it's appropriate for a child under 18-years-old to undergo an incredibly risky and potentially fatal gastric bypass surgery.
From Obese at 16: A Life in the Balance (2005)
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[@gabrieleflores9681]

Update - Brandon has kept his weight off. Now has a family & new baby. My mom is Angie Flores. I need her before and after picture that’s why I’m here lol.

[@Gemini_Rising]

Wow very powerful statement "Genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger"

[@latatha]

He waited two years to have surgery!!!! In that time he could have lost decent amount of weight, just like he is able to keep his weight off now. Too much dependency on the medical science is not needed when we can take simple steps to fix the problem.

[@GIChiyo]

The sad thing is he seems small compared to some people today...

[@rachelberrythegleequeen.3221]

He gets mad respect for me because he knows he needs to do something to save his life and he’s doing it he’s got more sense than most adults in the situation

[@kp4636]

I’m not even 2 minutes in, and you can tell this guy has a heart of gold💛

[@logiclanguagelearningFrench]

Lovely guy but he didn’t buy food himself. His parents did

[@condoriris6286]

Doing a surgery to a child who doesn’t need it is a crime.

[@TheSexy1049]

He’s a cutie pie...Gentle giant. You got this, you can do it!

[@torchetiffany]

He is such a Handsome kid...this made me cry to think people bullied him , I love his fam too .

[@livesmart9481]

People can be really mean...

[@skyex7978]

I’m 15 and weighed 286. I’m working out & eating more healthy then I have and I can only say that. I’m proud of all of you. And myself. You can do it. I’m doing it, and I know you can too.

[@jewels3596]

I remember when I was a freshman or sophomore and a guy in my high school that was heavier than Brandon coming back to school after Christmas break in '91 or '92 and he'd lost at least 100 lbs. Everyone was shocked. He was a senior so he might even been 18 when he had the gastric bypass. He went from being this completely shy guy that I'd never even heard speak to being outgoing, talkative, happy and also dating. It was a true transformation!

[@livesmart9481]

He's a gentle giant. His parents must be proud of him for being such a good kid regardless of his size. I wonder if there is a recent update.

[@kaitlynk4615]

What a loving family. I hope Brandon lives a long happy love filled life

[@cynthiastanley35]

Brandon, I know this video is old but I applaud your success.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I’m so happy for you! I pray you are happy and well.😀

[@TheShift_OfEnergy]

he is a very beautiful boy, handsome . i hope he will stay on his best way the whole life :)

[@af98]

Usually I watch the only human British documentaries on obesity. Its difficult to watch a US documentary. Theres so much music and they treat everything like a movie.

[@alinapopescu872]

The saddest thing is, in my opinion, that in America money determines who lives, who is healthy and who dies or struggles with illnesses.

[@jefferee2002]

As a parent, my heart aches for everything Brandon and his mom and dad went through.