In the 1985 movie “The Goonies,” about a group of kids searching for buried treasure, one of the characters was this huge, pointy-headed dude nicknamed Sloth.
That was also Joshua Romph’s nickname when he was in high school.
“I was compared to him a lot,” he said. “I didn’t find it too funny back then.”
That partially prompted Romph to enter, and win, a contest by Chicago’s Esteem Makeover–a group of professionals who have banded together to donate their time and services–for an extreme physical remodeling that included plastic surgery, dental work, fitness and nutrition training, and hair and wardrobe consulting.
“I’ve always wanted to change myself, but I needed that first step that will get me going,” explained Romph, a 24-year-old Niles resident who works as a unit secretary at Lutheran General Hospital.
“I never had enough energy or willpower to get that first jump out there and start dieting and exercising, so this will be the big huge step.”
The change took place even before Romph went under the knife on Sept. 10. After starting the program on July 26, Romph worked with fitness and nutrition consultant Michael Kates and dentist Nivaldo Montes.
A little more than a month later, he had lost 20 pounds and had most of his metal fillings replaced with enamel ones.
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The most intense part of Romph’s makeover was the plastic surgery. Dr. Roger Pielet said he and his partner, Dr. Michael Epstein, removed Romph’s entire midsection and chest area (“His entire torso is very svelte”); gave Romph a brow lift; reshaped his nose and ears; and performed liposuction under his chin and neck.
“His prognosis should be great,” Epstein said. “He’s 24, he’s healthy, he’s already been through multiple stress tests because he’s been exercising with Michael for the last month, and we know his heart and lungs are in good shape.”
What is Romph hoping to see when looking in the mirror?
“I don’t want to see a complete stranger,” he said. “That would probably freak me out a little bit. But I don’t know, I’m hoping to see someone that I can find . . . attractive.”
Romph’s coming-out party is set for November. The Guy Page will check in then for the results.