Patient Spotlight: Darin Turns Pain into Purpose
- Dr. Korman
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 28
Patient: Dr. Darin Detwiler
Age: 57
Height: 6’1”
Highest Weight: 309
BMI: 40.8
Current Weight: 221
BMI: 29.2
Bariatric Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
Surgery Date: November 2024
Largest Size: 3 XL
Current Size: L / XL
Weight related diseases: hypertension, gall bladder removal (resulted in digestive complications), complicating food, nervous system issues with legs
Medications: a total of 12 different medications, including Lisinopril (treats hypertension)
Ladies and Gents, Patients and Friends: Give a Warm Welcome to Dr. Darin Detwiler
At the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Dr. Darin Detwiler is a celebrity in his own right. He is professor of food regulatory services and an advisor to government agencies and NGOs regarding food safety and authenticity issues in the U.S. but also abroad. Saying Darin knows food is an understatement. He hasn't walked on the red carpet along with A-listers such as Keanu Reeves, but that’s only a matter of time.
Pre-Surgery: Physical Health
Although Darin has rockstar professional accolades, he struggled with his physical health, particularly his weight. Fluctuating between 280 and 310 pounds, Darin was also on twelve different medications to treat various health conditions - the majority weight related - and he lived with a nervous system issue that affected his leg movement.
Tragedy in 1993
Although these health conditions were challenging to live with, they did not compare to the singular event that changed the trajectory of his life. When Darin lost his 16-month old son to an E. coli outbreak in 1993, his suffering impacted the complexity of his relationship with food. In the first years of experiencing grief, Darin found solace in food. Eating pizza, tacos, or even loaded baked potatoes (potatoes “with the works”) brought an instant gratification to numb the feelings no parent should ever go through. While the temporary pleasure from eating food served as a coping mechanism for masking his emotional pain, eating excessive amounts of food also symbolized an act of self-inflicted punishment. Because Darin had outlived his son, he didn’t feel worthy of living a healthy life. Food became a double edged sword. Darin could use the sword as a weapon to fight off the endless emotional pain, yet simultaneously hurt his health.
Attempting to Lose Weight Before Bariatric Surgery
Around 2010, Darin began doing cardio classes at the YMCA, which aided in lowering his weight between 250-260 pounds. Once he became a full time professor and the assistant dean along with a two hour daily commute, maintaining this level of physical activity was unsustainable.
The Decision to Undergo Weight Loss Surgery
Many patients struggling with obesity experience the “aha” moment where they realize calling a highly recognized bariatric surgeon like Dr. Korman will ultimately be life saving. For Darin, that "aha" moment came when he saw a picture of himself speaking at an event. If he wanted to have the stamina to speak on stage and travel the world, Darin needed to be at a healthier weight.
Initial Consultation
In April 2024, Darin met with Dr. Korman, whom he was referred to by another patient. While other bariatric surgeons spent very little time with Darin during their initial consultations, Dr. Korman stood out for several reasons. Known to his patients as an exceptional listener, Dr. Korman also took the time to address Darin’s questions and concerns.
Not only does Darin feel that Dr. Korman is a talented surgeon, the pre and post-operative programs align with the clinic’s goals and intentions of achieving long-term weight loss success. Other bariatric programs Darin researched did not provide the same caliber of pre and post-op care, which are essential components to a patient’s weight loss success.
Life After Surgery
Above all, Darin is grateful for the unwavering support from his wife throughout his bariatric journey. Darin’s surgery was on a Monday. By Wednesday, he was already doing walks around the block. He refers to his surgical experience as being “terrific” and gladly reports his “weigh was falling off.”
Diet
Uses small bowls to prep food (around size of coffee cup)
High protein: Eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts, some fruit
Breakfast: Makes egg bites similar to the ones at Starbucks with chia seeds and collagen for breakfast
Lunch / Dinner: Ground chicken+ ricotta cheese, chia seeds + collagen, scoop with ice cream scooper and put on pan (use as “bread” with tuna / mayo)
Traveling: Will find restaurant and order a cobb salad or a side of eggs with refried beans.
Exercise
Walking 4-5 days a week, hit the 10,000 steps
Loves exploring Southern California destinations such as Big Bear
Walked the entire 4th of July parade in Huntington Beach
Milestone Achievement
Darin completed first-ever 5K in April 2025 at Seal Beach, and placed fifth in his age category: 47:57. He proudly ran at a15:27 pace!
Two of Darin’s essays have been featured in New Food Magazine. As he reflected in his New Food Magazine essay, The Unexpected Mile:
“When I signed up for a 5K, I wasn’t chasing fitness goals. I was training my mindset to endure what we rarely see coming: the unexpected mile.”
Since undergoing the gastric sleeve, Darin has said good-bye to eleven of those twelve medications, and only takes a low dose of a blood pressure medication. His nervous system issues affecting his legs have been resolved as well. Whether in a classroom, a courtroom, a hearing room, or on stage in London, Toronto, Mexico City, Amsterdam, or Dubai, Darin brings more than credentials. He brings lived credibility and momentum, along with a slimmer waistline.
Does Darin have any regrets regarding bariatric surgery? Of course he does. He regrets not having the surgery sooner.
He embodies the powerful phrase, “I am worthy.” Darin, you are worthy of anything you set your mind to. We can not wait to see what you achieve next.
Watch and Listen
Podcast: “Confessions of a food safety a**hle” co-hosted with is wife, Gennette Olimpia Zimmer
Emmy award-winning 2023 Netflix documentary Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food.
Learn more about Dr. Detwiler:
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