World's heaviest teenager hopes to walk again

The world’s heaviest teen aged boy hopes he would be able to walk again after health problems pushed his weight to more than 600kg and confined him to his bedroom in Saudi Arabia for many years, newspapers in the Gulf Kingdom reported on Saturday.

Doctors treating Khaled Mohsen Al Shaeri at a specialised government hospital in the Saudi capital in Riyadh on orders by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz said they aimed to reduce his weight by an average 15 kg a month.

More than 50 civil defence and medical staff members joined hands early this week to transfer Shaeri out of his house in the southern province of Jazan to hospital in Riyadh, using a medical bed and crane imported for him from the United States.

“I am optimistic that I will get better. I hope I will be able to stand on my feet and walk again,” Saheri told the Saudi Arabic language daily Sabq.

Shaeri, aged below 16 years, weighs an estimated 610 kg, making him the heaviest teen ager in the world, although some newspapers describe him as the heaviest man.

King Abdullah, 89, intervened last week and ordered the immediate treatment of Shaeri at King Fahd Medical City in the capital after the boy emerged in local newspapers to appeal for Royal help following difficulties in his breathing system.

The Saudi news network Al Arabiya quoted doctors as saying they would soon start implementing a four-phase treatment plan involving intensive medical tests, weight reduction through dieting and  finally, surgical treatment.

“Tests have shown Shaeri’s heart and nerves are in good condition. His main problem is his breathing,” said Dr Ayed Al Qahtani, who is supervising a medical team treating Shaeri.

“One stage involves the creation of a good psychological atmosphere for Shaeri after he was confined to his bed for many years without seeing any one outside. We have start to have good results as he now keeps smiling and has access to computer, games and mobile phones. This is very important for the success of the treatment process.”

Dr Qahtani said that process was still in the beginning as the patient has just been admitted to hospital, adding that the aim is to reduce his weight by 16kg every month.

“We will carry out this plan after it was proved successful globally. We hope all those around Shaeri, mainly his family, will cooperate with us to achieve that goal.”
 

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