Al Roker Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of His Gastric Bypass Surgery: 'I'm Never Going Back'

Al Roker.

“It’s still a struggle but I’m never going back,” he vowed. “I have setbacks and struggle every day, but I never forget how far I’ve come.”

“You’re the Yoda to my Skywalker Uncle Al!“Carson Dalychimed in.

Roker underwent the weight loss surgery in 2002 after years of failed diets and health problems, and was able to drop more than 100 lbs. During the process, which he initially kept from hisTodaycoworkers, Roker surprised both them and viewers with his quickly slimming shape.

“I had a person say to me in the gym, ‘Hey, you don’t want to lose too much weight, ‘cause that’s who you are — you’re the funny, fat weather guy!’ " he told PEOPLE just after his surgery. “No, that’s not who I am. I think I’m funny. I know I’m fat. But I don’t think I’m funny because I’m fat. The two are mutually exclusive.”

These days, Roker has kept the weight off with regular exercise and healthy meals, both of which he documents on his Instagram. He’s also been open to trying new weight loss tactics and had success with the keto diet,sharing in 2019 that he’s lost 40 lbs.onthe high-fat, low-carb plan.

Roker evenbutted heads with formerBiggest Losertrainer Jillian Michaelsover keto when she said that it was an unhealthy diet, and he defended his choice.

“What works for you, works for you,” he said onToday. “There’s science on both sides that says it’s not a great idea and science that says it is a good idea. I think it’s up to people — with their doctor, with their medical professional — [to make their own decision].”

source: people.com