An obese man who tipped the scales at 687lbs (49st 1lb) lost almost half his body weight in a year.
Justin McSwain, 28, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has struggled with food since he was a child when his mother Tara - who was addicted to painkillers and heroin - drifted in and out of his life.
Deciding enough was enough, the web developer met with Dr Younan Nowzaradan - star of the hit TLC reality show My 600lb Life - who put him on a 1,200 calorie-a-day diet.
After shedding 92lbs (6st 8lbs) in just two months, Mr McSwain became eligible for weight-loss surgery.
A year on Mr McSwain lost an impressive 334lbs (23st 12lbs) and now weighs a much healthier 354lbs (25st 4lbs). He celebrated with his father Johnny by getting a tattoo of a phoenix rising from the state of Texas.
Justin McSwain tipped the scales at 687lbs (49st 1lb). The web developer had a difficult childhood and a strained relationship with his mother, which led to him turning to food for comfort. His obese frame severely affected his confidence, with him developing agrophobia
Deciding enough was enough, Mr McSwain visited Dr Younan Nowzaradan - star of the hit TLC reality show My 600lb Life. The medic put him on a 1,200 calorie-a-day diet, until he was slim enough for weight-loss surgery. He lost 334lbs (23st 12lbs) and now weighs 354lbs (25st 4lbs)
To celebrate, Mr McSwain got a tattoo of a phoenix rising from the state of Texas (pictured)
Mr McSwain tipped the scales at 200lbs (14st 4lbs) at just 14 years old, with his weight creeping up to 330lbs (23st 8lbs) by the time he was 18.
His heavy frame battered his confidence, with Mr McSwain being diagnosed with agoraphobia and only leaving the house to buy food.
'When I wake up in the mornings, I’m in disbelief about how bad I’ve let things get because of how out of control my weight’s gotten,' he said.
Struggling to stand, walk and even breathe, Mr McSwain decided to take control of his health and traveled with his mother to met Dr Nowzaradan in Houston.
But the journey was off to a rocky start when Mr McSwain was too big to fit in the car he rented to drive across to Texas.
A laparoscopic gastric bypass, or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), is considered the 'gold standard' for weight-loss surgery.
It involves creating a small pouch in the stomach that restricts food intake and reduces nutrient absorption.
The pouch also limits food from coming into contact with the upper or lower
