Imagine being stuck in your own body — to the point where walking, breathing, and even standing in the shower feel like impossible tasks. That was Pete Brennan’s life at 635 pounds. A real estate agent from New Jersey, Pete struggled with constant pain in his knees and feet, making everyday tasks feel like running a marathon with bricks strapped to his ankles.
But his wake-up call didn’t come from a doctor or a mirror. It came when he fell in the shower and couldn’t get up — forcing his five-year-old son to help him. That moment shook him to the core. He realized his health wasn’t just hurting him — it was affecting his family, especially his young son.
Too Big to Fly: A Wake-Up Call in the Sky
Before that shower incident, Pete had already faced humiliation. At his own wedding, he nearly got kicked off the flight to Mexico because he couldn’t fit in a single airplane seat. That moment wasn’t just embarrassing — it was crushing.
Video: The Truth About Weight Loss: His Story of Saggy Skin
He had become a spectator in his own life. His wife was handling everything at home, and Pete felt useless. But instead of sinking deeper into despair, he made a bold decision: enough was enough.
The Unusual Path to Progress: Meat, Fat, and Focus
Here’s where it gets interesting. Pete didn’t follow the conventional wisdom of fruits, veggies, and low-fat everything. Instead, he went full tilt into the carnivore diet — yes, just meat, eggs, fish, and butter. For many doctors, this is a red flag, especially because it’s high in fat and cholesterol.
But for Pete? It worked.
He paired the diet with intense discipline, eating three six-ounce meals a day. Chicken, eggs, turkey sausage — clean and lean. He avoided red meat but did include some keto-friendly snacks like cottage cheese and peanuts.
The goal? Stay in ketosis and let the body torch fat like a furnace.
Drugs, Surgery, and a Stomach the Size of Texas
Before switching diets, Pete tried Wegovy — a weight loss injection — for over a year. It helped him drop 167 pounds. But the real game-changer was gastric sleeve surgery in June 2024. Surgeons found his stomach was three feet long, about triple the normal size.
That surgery limited his appetite and gave him the upper hand. From there, he combined medication, diet, and a killer workout schedule — six times a week — to burn through fat at a jaw-dropping pace.
Nine months after surgery, he lost another 185 pounds. Today, he’s down to 283 pounds — and still going.
Loose Skin, Real Struggles, and the Hidden Side of Success
You might think losing over 350 pounds would come with nothing but high-fives and new clothes. But the truth is a little more complicated.
Pete now battles with loose skin — a lot of it. It hangs from his arms, chest, legs, and stomach. He describes his appearance as “melted,” and despite the success, he struggles with confidence. Tight clothes don’t fit right. The skin causes rashes. And the mental toll? That’s heavy too.
Video: No one should be in such a situation
His insurance covered his weight loss journey so far — including Wegovy and surgery. But when it came to removing the excess skin, they said no. Why? Because it’s “cosmetic.” Now he’s trying to raise $90,000 to pay for the procedure, even considering loans to get it done.
The Hernia He Couldn’t Fix Until Now
Pete also dealt with a hernia near his belly button for over a decade. At his heaviest, surgery wasn’t even an option. But once the weight dropped, doctors were able to remove it. That small victory meant more than most people realize — it was a physical and symbolic win in his journey to reclaim control over his body.
Life After 350lbs: More Than a Number on a Scale
So what’s life like now for Pete Brennan?
For starters, he’s helping around the house again. He walks without pain. He can breathe easily. People don’t stare anymore. And most importantly? He feels alive.
He’s aiming to get under 250 pounds before the end of the year, with a final goal between 200–225 pounds. That would bring his BMI down to a healthy range — a massive shift from the 88 BMI he started with, which put him in the category of severely obese.
A Message for Anyone Who’s Hesitating
There’s one more thing Pete wants people to hear — especially those afraid of loose skin or the challenges ahead.
“Put the excuse aside,” he says. “Think long-term. This is about saving your life.”
Pete doesn’t sugarcoat anything. The journey is hard. It’s uncomfortable. It’s scary. But in his words, once you get past making excuses and actually start doing the work, you’ll begin to love the person you’re becoming.
Pete Brennan didn’t just lose weight. He gained life. He gained movement, energy, time with family, and purpose. His story is living proof that even the steepest climb can be conquered with the right mindset, tools, and grit.
If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or overwhelmed, remember Pete. He started at 635 pounds. He faced rejection, pain, and even fear for his life. And yet, he rose — step by sweaty step — to reclaim a future he thought was lost.