RIYADH – Khaled Shaeri, a morbidly obese Saudi youth who is undergoing treatment at Riyadh's King Fahd Medical City (KFMC), has reduced his weight by 50 kg in three weeks. Shaeri weighed 610 kg when he was admitted to KFMC on Aug. 19 following an order by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. More than 15 specialists and nurses are attending on him on a daily basis, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday. Dr. Ayed Al-Qahtani, head of the medical team and the laparoscopic surgery and obesity consultant at KFMC, said that Shaeri's condition was fairly stable. “We have worked out a medical and psychological program for him since he was admitted on Aug. 19, and he is now more positively responding to the treatment and interacting with the medical team,” he said. Dr. Al-Qahtani said that Shaeri's respiratory system has improved significantly and the efficiency of his lungs has increased. “Some food alternatives have been brought from the United States as is done in the treatment of such cases in order to reduce the amount of abdominal fat and around vital organs,” he said, adding that the patient is now undergoing physical therapy in order to restore his muscle power and mobility as well as his ability to speak. Shaeri could be the heaviest obesity case to be handled medically in the Kingdom so far. Multiple Saudi government organizations coordinated Shaeri's evacuation after part of his home was demolished so he could be brought down from the second floor. A forklift was used to transfer him to an ambulance which took him to a local airport in Jazan. An aircraft then flew him to Riyadh. — SG
