For years, Kendall Varn spent long days climbing in and out of the cab of a professional sod harvester. As his weight increased, even that routine task became difficult.
But the hardest part wasn’t his job. It was what he was missing at home.
“I wanted to be outside throwing a ball with my kids, but I just couldn’t do it,” Kendall said. “I felt like I wasn’t being the father or husband I wanted to be.”
Kendall had struggled with his weight since high school, losing and regaining pounds several times over the years. By his 30s, the cycle had caught up with him. Everything hurt. He was constantly exhausted, and everyday activities became increasingly difficult.
The physical challenges also took an emotional toll.
“I carried a lot of guilt and shame,” he said. “My wife always told me she loved me no matter what I weighed, but I knew I needed to make a change for myself and for my family.”
At his highest weight of 560 pounds, Kendall decided it was time to take control of his health.
Finding the Right Path
Kendall first tried to lose weight through diet and lifestyle changes but made little progress. As he researched his options, he learned more about bariatric surgery and began comparing programs across South Carolina.
After reading patient reviews and watching educational videos from Marc C. Antonetti, MD, bariatric surgeon with Lexington Health Weight Loss and Wellness, Kendall felt confident he had found the right surgeon and program.
Like all bariatric surgery patients, Kendall completed a medically supervised six-month weight loss program before surgery. The program helps patients improve their overall health and prepare both physically and mentally for the lifestyle changes that follow surgery.
Together, Kendall and Dr. Antonetti decided that sleeve gastrectomy was the best option. The procedure reduces the size of the stomach, helping patients feel full sooner and eat smaller portions.
On March 4, 2025, Kendall underwent surgery weighing 492 pounds.
He spent just one night in the hospital before returning home to begin his recovery.
A Life-Changing Transformation
The first several months after surgery required patience as Kendall adjusted to new eating habits and a healthier lifestyle. The effort has paid off in remarkable ways.
By July 2026, Kendall had lost nearly 200 pounds since surgery, bringing his weight down to 298 pounds.
The health improvements have been just as dramatic. He no longer takes medication for high blood pressure or acid reflux. His resting heart rate has dropped to about 60 beats per minute, and he no longer needs a CPAP machine to treat sleep apnea.
“I don’t even feel like the same person anymore,” Kendall said.
Today, Kendall makes it a goal to walk between 6,000 and 10,000 steps each day. He has more energy than he’s had in decades, and everyday activities, including climbing into his sod harvester, are no longer a struggle.
The Greatest Reward
While the weight loss has transformed Kendall’s health, the biggest difference is the time he now spends with his family.
Instead of watching from the sidelines, he’s outside playing with his son and daughter. Activities that once seemed impossible have become part of everyday life. Recently, he rode a bicycle around his neighborhood for the first time in years.
“Being able to run around with my kids and make those memories means everything,” Kendall said. “That’s what this journey has really been about.”
For Kendall, bariatric surgery wasn’t simply about losing weight. It gave him the opportunity to reclaim his health and confidence and become the active husband and father he always wanted to be.
Today, every step—whether it’s climbing into his work equipment or chasing his children through the yard—is a reminder of just how far he’s come.
Learn more about the surgical and non-surgical weight loss options offered at Lexington Health Weight Loss and Wellness.
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