Interview with Kevin Vanantwerpen, Belgium, OI Type IV

How did you lose weight? OIFE Magazine has asked this question to four people with OI who have struggled with overweight and successfully managed to lose weight. One of them is Kevin Vanantwerpen. He is from Belgium, 36 years old, a father of two, has OI type 4, and lost weight through a gastric bypass.

Tell us about your situation before the weight loss and what kind of problems you had.

In 2017, I needed scoliosis surgery. The operation was necessary and successful, but my mobility dropped drastically. Eating became a kind of distraction, something I could still do. And yes, the kilos piled on. In just a few years, I gained more than 30 kilos.

What did you do to lose weight?

I tried everything: WeightWatchers, keto, counting calories, shakes. Each time it worked for a while, but then the yo-yo effect kicked in. I lost some weight, only to gain back even more.

In 2023, I decided to seek medical help. At a nearby hospital, the doctors immediately suggested a gastric bypass. Clear and simple, according to them. I was almost convinced until my wife said, “Contact your professors in Leuven first.” Luckily, I listened.

At UZ Leuven, I heard a very different story. For people with OI, a bypass is not ideal because it reduces nutrient absorption in the intestines. And nutrients are exactly what I need to support my bones and muscles.

Their advice was a gastric sleeve. In this procedure, part of the stomach is removed, but the intestines remain intact.

How did it work?

A sleeve is not a quick fix. It helps you eat less, but the real change comes from lifestyle. Still, the results have been life changing. My weight dropped from 114 to 65 kilos. The biggest win? Mobility. I no longer need an electric wheelchair. I can use a manual one again. Transfers are much easier, and I even started sports again, such as wheelchair hockey and working out at the gym. It feels like I have regained freedom.

There are other advantages as well. When I broke both shoulders in the summer of 2024, I could not move myself in bed. Because I was much lighter, it was easier for my wife to help me.

Of course, there are challenges too. I lost not only fat but also muscle mass, so I now focus on building strength at the gym. Supplements remain a struggle, such as calcium, vitamin D, and protein, but they are essential.

Sometimes I experience dumping syndrome after too much sugar: sweating, a racing heartbeat, extreme fatigue. It only lasts half an hour, but it reminds me that this is not an easy road. And yes, with less fat, my behind hurt more when sitting. Small details, but still real.

Do you have any advice to others with OI who are struggling with weight?

I want to emphasize that this is my story. Every person with OI is different. Make sure you get proper information, choose a team you trust, and do not be persuaded by promises of an easy fix.

Weight-loss surgery is not a quick win and not a guarantee. But for me, it meant more energy, more freedom, and the chance to again do things that I thought was gone for good.