By:
Dr. Barry Sears (July 2007)

I just came back from Mexico where I had a chance to check to see how Manuel Uribe, at one time the world’s heaviest man, is doing. Actually, I knew about his progress because I was getting constant clinical data from our Mexican physicians, who have been working with Manuel, but I wanted the chance to talk to Manuel since his weight loss in the last few months has appeared to slow down. I suspected it is due to an increase in muscle mass and corresponding loss in body weight that is making the overall weight loss less than dramatic.

When I walked into his Monterrey home, I was amazed to see that the massive amount of excess fat from his face and upper chest has been disappearing at a rapid rate. Then I asked Manuel to flex his bicep. The size would have made Arnold Schwarzenegger blush. We then took Manuel’s blood pressure, which was 110/70, and measurements at various parts of his body to prove that the fat loss has increased over the last 30 days.

There were three crews (one from the Discovery Channel, one from Chile, and one from Germany) filming our discussions. All they could ask was since Manuel’s weight loss has slowed down, shouldn’t I be recommending gastric bypass surgery for him. I said, “Absolutely not.” First, Manuel remains one of the healthiest people in Mexico judging from his blood chemistry. Second, a recent study indicates that people who have undergone bypass surgery have significant cognitive damage as a consequence (Neurology, May 27, 2007), and finally, I told them that Manuel’s fat loss is accelerating, not reaching a plateau. It is the massive increase in muscle mass that is confusing them. They asked how could a man sitting in bed get enough exercise? I pointed out that every time Manuel does a sit-up, it is as if he were doing one with an extra 300 pounds attached to his back. Likewise, imagine doing a pull-up with 500 pounds attached to you. That’s why his muscle mass is increasing.