SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico, March 8, 2007
Half-Ton Man Leaves House After 5 Years
Man Who Once Weighed 1,235 Pounds Leaves House To Greet Neighbors, Enjoy Mariachi Band
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Play CBS Video Video Half-Ton Man Loses 397 Lbs. CBS News RAW: Manuel Uribe, a mechanic from a suburb of Monterrey, Mexico, has lost 397 pounds in the past year and was able to leave his home for the first time since the summer of 2002.
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With a mariachi band playing, Manuel Uribe gives a thumbs up sign as he sits on his bed while being driven around his neighborhood in San Nicolas de los Garza, northern Mexico, Wednesday, March 7, 2007. (AP)
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"The sky is beautiful and blue and what I want is to enjoy the sun," said Manuel Uribe, who had once been certified by doctors as weighing 1,235 pounds.
Though still unable to leave his bed, Uribe has lost 395 pounds since he began a high-protein diet a year ago. He now weights about 840 pounds.
To celebrate the milestone, six people pushed Uribe's wheel-equipped iron bed out to the street as a mariachi band played and a crowd gathered. Then, a forklift lifted him onto a truck and the 41-year-old rode through the streets of San Nicolas de los Garza, a Monterrey suburb.
With dozens of reporters and photographers in tow, Uribe traveled along, passing the town's plaza and church and waving at clusters of people eager to get a glimpse of him.
"It fills me with joy to see he's getting better and getting a little sun," Uribe's neighbor Guadalupe Guerra said. "I would go crazy if I had to be inside my house for so many years."
Uribe was a chubby kid and weighed more than 250 pounds as an adolescent. In 1992, he said his weight began ballooning further.
Since the summer of 2002, Uribe has been bedridden, relying on his mother and friends to feed and clean him.
He drew worldwide attention when he pleaded for help on national television in January 2006. Afterward, an Italian and a Spanish doctor both visited and offered gastric bypass surgery.
But Uribe chose to accept help from Mexican nutritionists working with the Zone diet. He says he will stick to that diet until he reaches his goal of 265 pounds.
"My goal is to leave the house on my own but I know that will be a long process," he said. Doctors say it may take between three and four years for Uribe to reach his goal.
Uribe said he plans to start a foundation to help overweight people get medical assistance and teach them about healthy eating habits.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
Posted by beehive21 at 04:09 PM : Mar 08, 2007"
Proves that this fat man's problem is FOOD, and to much of it, right? LOL
No pantry .. err.. body gets this big without MUCH FOOD AND GLUTTONY!
Posted by jetauma at 01:13 PM : Mar 08, 2007"
Yes a food ADDICT is "a better person" for his addiction. Tsk-tsk
The only way to treat an addict is not to cuddle his addiction; TAKE AWAY THE ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE!
People like you are no doubt fattening up this 'fat pig' to death through your silly sympathy! LOL
I mean *** did he do all day and how did he have the money to do nothing all day?
Did he just play video games all day or something????"WOW"
If his family cut off his tv or whatever he did to say occupied and only feed him salad, rice, and water i think he would eventually be able to get up....
and damm tho what did that room/house smell like i cant even imagine.............nor want to.....
give it a year we will see this guy on subway commercials with jared...ooogod