Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

I wrote before about Patrick Deuel and his struggle with weight loss:

• Starling Fitness » The Former Half Ton Man

He is still working toward his goal of a healthy weight. Right now, he is scheduled for surgery to remove his pannus, which is a flap of skin that hangs from his belly down to his knees. The pannus is interferring with exercise, walking and all of Patrick’s plans to get closer to his goal.

• Keloland.com – Patrick Deuel’s Skin Surgery – by Jaine Andrews

• Argus Leader – Patrick Deuel will have surgery to shed extra skin – by Ben Shouse

Convincing his doctor that the surgery was necessary was difficult. It’s hard for anyone to understand the difficulty of dealing with that much excess skin. I think about how much harder my daily run would be with a 70-pound pillow stuffed into my jogging pants and I understand that this surgery is necessary.

I wish Patrick the best of luck. I hope he comes through the surgery and finds his life changed by the renewed mobility.

Update 03-09-06: He got the surgery. He’s doing well.

• JournalStar.com – Deuel has surgery to remove fat, skin mass – By Associated Press