Weighty problem: 127kg man trying to put on weight

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDJan 26 2011

A 127 kg British man intends to put on weight because he is not fat enough to qualify for weight-loss surgery.

When Darin McCloud, 45 from Portsmouth, was told he did not qualify for a gastric bypass, he planned to get fatter to tip the scales at more than 133kg - the weight deemed necessary by his local NHS primary care trust. At present he is eating three-quarters of a loaf of bread, four packets of crisps and bacon rolls each day to put on the weight. He also has diabetes ad he believes that the surgery could get him off the insulin injections.

McCloud first applied for the operation, which is similar to having a gastric band fitted, in September 2009. He says he has put on over nine kilograms since then and his current body mass index (BMI) is 43.5. NHS Portsmouth requires a BMI of 45 before it will consider a patient for the surgery.

According to Mr McCloud’s doctor Dr Lorraine Albon, “Darin has done everything he can do and the problem is if he doesn’t have the surgery soon he will lose his job and add further complications to his diabetes.”

The National Health Services Trust in Portsmouth said it has taken note of recommendations and research which suggests it should lower the required BMI because it would save money on long term health costs. Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, NHS Portsmouth’s director of public health and primary care however added that it was unlikely the changes would be made until at least 2012 or 2013.