By Tan Kee Yun

BATTLING the bulge had never been such a roller-coaster ride for Dongfang Billy.

Within a month, he rocketed to 95kg from a trim 74kg. Then, after four months of persistent belly dancing, it was down to 79kg.

The Singaporean former radio deejay, whose real name is Wang Zhong Cheng, had flown to Texas in February to undergo a bone marrow transplant.

His surgery was a success; he is now in remission.

But there was a painful downside.

In the days before the transplant, Wang piled on almost 20kg.

"I had always maintained my weight at 74kg or 75kg," said the effervescent Wang in a phone interview with The New Paper from Taiwan.

He is there visiting relatives before his return to Singapore next Tuesday.

"My usual diet consisted mainly of vegetables and fruits, but the doctors at the Texan hospital disapproved of my food choices.

"They insisted I eat a lot of milk, cheese, cake and meat so that my body would have enough energy to withstand the chemotherapy sessions."

He added that they also made sure he had "a sweet health drink product" every couple of hours.

Seeing himself pile on the kilos, Wang - who has gained a fan base of heartland aunties who like his healthy living messages - said he was "very miserable and depressed".