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MILWAUKEE- It's one of the most incredible weight loss success stories you will ever hear about.

41-year-old Mark Leipski can often be seen enjoying Tae Kwon Do.  But such athletic prowess was impossible a few years ago.

Leipski used to weigh more than 400 pounds.  He remembers drinking two two liter bottles of Mountain Dew every day.  Leipski admits, "My idea was to sit on the couch, eat a bag of potato chips and watch movies."

Mark was motivated to lose weight by a promise he made to his father before his dad died, and a car accident.  During that crash, he was so big, his seat-belt broke.  He says he was bounced around like a ping pong ball.  Leipski admits, "I was shocked. I knew I was big, I never thought I was that big."

Leipski who had already survived two heart attacks got a strong warning from his doctor.  "He literally said your 4  hundred pounds.  You're bound to have another heart attack sooner or later!"

In fact, Leipski was so large, his doctor ordered Gastric Bypass surgery if he did not lose weight.

But the father of two rejected the surgery, and decided to lose weight the natural way.  After almost two years, Leipski lost 215 pounds.  Today he is dwarfed by his former jeans.  He shows off a size 52.  They were not his biggest pair.  He once wore a size 60.

Today, fattening treats have been replaced with healthier low-fat foods. Now a lifelong Weight Watchers member, Leipski tracks everything he eats.  He notes, "I eat a lot of chicken, turkey, and fish. I cut down on carbs, and don't do a lot of potatoes."

Today the entire family is dedicated to health and fitness.  You'll often find them at the American Dojo Family Martial Arts Academy in Waukesha.

His son Justin Leipski says of his now trim father, "He plays with us more."  Daughter Ashley says, "Now its a lot easier for him to move around."  His wife Mary exclaims, "He's proud of himself and the way he looks, and so am I."

But Mark's drastic weight loss caused a serious complication.  Excess skin that often gets infected.

The skin literally hangs off his abdomen.  He must soothe it with a number of over-the-counter products that only work for a short time before the infections return.  He's had multiple antibiotic prescriptions.  His doctor says plastic surgery is the only answer.

However, Leipski's insurance will not pay for the surgery.  TODAY'S TMJ4 contacted his provider, Cigna Health Insurance.  It issued TODAY'S TMJ4 a statement saying.

"We congratulate Mr. Leipski on his remarkable weight loss."  Cigna also notes, "Many insurance plans do not pay for this type of surgery...We encourage customers to take advantage of the appeal process."

And that is what Mark Leipski is doing.  He's appealing the decision.  It's a lengthy battle, but he is not discouraged.  After all, he's come a long way.  And the now slim Leipski pledges, "I'm never going to go back to that 400 pounds.  There's no way!"