[Dubya]

Mike Laird gazes out the bedroom window in his Thorp Spring home. He spends about 19 hours a day on his back.

[Dubya]

Mike Laird moves from his motorized chair to his wheelchair. Since a stumble nearly five years ago, he can't walk unassisted.

[Dubya]

Mike Laird's dog, Missy, keeps him company. "Mike has the biggest heart of anyone I know. He just can't get out and show it," said Dennis Rocheleau, a longtime friend.

[bluefish]

Wow. With that, I think I will head on over to the gym. Thanks for the motivation.

[Khurkris]

One day at a time for this lad. Hope & prayer for him.

[Jonathon Spectre]

He dieted periodically, but soft drinks topped his list of weaknesses. For years, Laird drank as many as 20 Coca-Colas a day. His thirst unquenchable, he gulped them, he said, one after another, habitually, "the way people smoke cigarettes."

Like cigarettes, eh? Wonder where that sort of comparison is headed...

20 sodas a day is roughly FIVE THOUSAND EXTRA CALORIES above and beyond any food eaten that day. From what I understand, roughly three thousand calories make up an extra pound of body weight. That means that every single day sheerly from sodas this... man... was gaining over a pound and a half EVERY SINGLE DAY. Diet drinks exist, you know. But then, perhaps they're not just like cigarettes.

I'm so sympathetic.

[not_apathetic_anymore]

It starts early. Every week I take care of kids who are on their way to this.

Last week I took care of a 7 year old who weighed 140 lbs.

[agrace]

Laird grew in size during the 12 years he worked for a grocery store chain. He dieted periodically, but soft drinks topped his list of weaknesses. For years, Laird drank as many as 20 Coca-Colas a day. His thirst unquenchable, he gulped them, he said, one after another, habitually, "the way people smoke cigarettes."

Sounds like sugar addiction to me. What drs want to put him on Atkins? And why do you think it might kill him?

[BlueAngel]

Poor guy! I hope they do a follow-up. I would love to know if he got the surgery and lost weight.

[mathluv]

My sister had that surgery in Feb - due to ulcers. she was told she would be fine in a week or so. We buried her a week ago.

[Scenic Sounds]

One doctor put him on a 500-calorie-a-day diet. He lost weight.

"But when I went back to eating a more normal amount, I gained the weight back, and more," he said. "It's my metabolism, I guess. The way my body works."

There must be some truth to that. It sounds like a horrible condition.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

For years, Laird drank as many as 20 Coca-Colas a day. His thirst unquenchable, he gulped them, he said, one after another, habitually, "the way people smoke cigarettes."

There's this new product called Diet Coke. It's amazing.

[Benrand]

I wonder if he permanently screwed himself up with that ridiculous 20 cans of sugary pop a day. That has to have had some long-term effect on his body.

[MeekOneGOP]

Wow, what a story. Thanks for the post ...

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

One doctor put him on a 500-calorie-a-day diet. He lost weight.

"But when I went back to eating a more normal amount, I gained the weight back, and more," he said. "It's my metabolism, I guess. The way my body works."

Bull. If he lost weight on 500 calories a day then it ain't his metabolism.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Any weight loss program that includes the word diet for changing what you eat as the answer, is doomed to failure.

All so called diets at some point must end, and when they do, instant reversion. It must be a life long change in eating habits, not what you eat, but the amounts. The only muscles necessary for losing weight, are those used to push yourself away from the table.

[Kevin Curry]

Seems like a gentle soul with a good heart.

I hope he makes it.

[July 4th]

How exactly do you get through this man's abdomen to do the gastric bypass? Heck with the scalpel, you need a 12" kitchen knife.

[McGavin999]

Dear God please help him.

[Hildy]

Soft drinks are a huge part of the problem. Have you seen those fruit drinks they give kids ... the ones with the straw in the box...they are terrible.

[Hildy]

Soft drinks are a huge part of the problem. Have you seen those fruit drinks they give kids ... the ones with the straw in the box...they are terrible.