Half-Ton Man

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Times are tough for the Nebraska man who once
weighed more than 1,000 pounds, but Patrick Deuel says he's trying
to stay positive.
Deuel weighed almost 1,100 pounds in 2004, and he had to have
his bedroom wall cut open so he could be hospitalized for
lifesaving gastric bypass surgery.
By late 2006 he was down to 370 pounds, but when he stepped on a
scale in May he was back up to 540.
His wife says none the less, Deuel is able to go out and do the
things he wants to do. His surgeon says his health is generally
good, noting he can drive a car and ride a bike.
The former restaurant manager is now looking for a new line of
work, while he and his wife survive on a social security check of
less than $600 a month.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)