Wesley Warren Jr. facts for kids

Wesley Warren Jr. (born June 23, 1963 – died March 14, 2014) was an American man who became known for his health problems. He suffered from a severe form of lymphedema, which caused a large growth to develop. This growth weighed about 132.5 pounds (60 kg) and hung down below his knees. After trying to raise money for an operation, he received surgery for free in April 2013 from Dr. Joel Gelman at the University of California, Irvine. A British TV crew filmed his journey for a documentary called The Man with the 10-Stone ..., which aired in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2013. Wesley Warren Jr. passed away on March 14, 2014, due to problems from diabetes.

How Warren's Condition Started

Wesley Warren Jr. was born in Orange, New Jersey, on June 23, 1963. He used to live in New York City, where he worked in security and as a messenger. In the 1990s, he moved to Las Vegas.

Warren said his condition began with a sudden, sharp pain. He believed this pain might have damaged his lymph nodes. Lymphedema is a condition where fluid builds up in the body, causing swelling. In tropical places, it's often caused by tiny worms spread by mosquitoes. These worms block the body's lymphatic system, which helps drain fluids. However, doctors found no sign of infection in Warren's case. They thought his condition might have started from an injury.

He tried different treatments, including antibiotics, but nothing helped. The swelling kept growing, making it impossible for him to work. Doctors at University Medical Center in Las Vegas also couldn't find the exact cause.

The lymphedema greatly affected Warren's health. He already weighed about 300 pounds (136 kg) and had high blood pressure and asthma. The swelling increased his weight to around 450 pounds (204 kg). He found it very difficult to move around and live a normal life.

Raising Money for Help

Wesley Warren Jr. needed money for surgery to remove the large growth. To raise awareness and funds, he appeared on Howard Stern's radio and TV show. He hoped that someone wealthy would help him. He said he didn't like being seen as a "freak" but felt the show was a good way to reach many people.

His story gained a lot of media attention. He was featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal and appeared on Comedy Central's Tosh.0 show. A British film company, Firecracker Films, also decided to make a documentary about him.

After his story became public, Warren received some donations. He also got an offer from The Dr. Oz Show for free surgery. However, Warren turned down this offer because he was worried about the risks and wasn't sure if those doctors were the best choice for such a complex operation. Dr. Mulugeta Kassahun, a urologist from Las Vegas, advised him to get surgery soon. He warned that an infection, which was a big risk with Warren's condition, could be very dangerous.

Life-Changing Surgery

Later, Dr. Joel Gelman from the University of California, Irvine's Center for Reconstructive Urology offered to perform the surgery. Dr. Gelman agreed to do the operation for free if Nevada Medicaid would cover the hospital costs.

The surgery took place on April 8, 2013. Dr. Gelman and three other surgeons, who also offered their help for free, performed the operation. It was a challenging surgery because Warren had severe anemia, and some veins in the growth were very wide. The doctors estimated that the total weight he was carrying, including fluid and other tissues, was over 160 pounds (72 kg). A British film crew recorded the surgery. After the operation, Warren began physical therapy to help him recover. He was released from the hospital in late April and started recuperating.

Dr. Gelman decided to go ahead with the operation even though Nevada Medicaid had not yet approved payment for the hospital. He felt it was unfair to make Warren wait any longer. Dr. Gelman believed it was wrong that Nevada couldn't pay the hospital when the doctors were working for free. He hoped that by helping Warren, they could also show other people with similar conditions that treatment was possible. He was very positive about Warren's future, saying, "He's basically a new man."

Documentary Film

A documentary about Wesley Warren Jr.'s condition and surgery was made. It was called The Man with the 10-Stone ....

The film received different reviews from the media in Britain. Some critics praised it for showing Warren's story with kindness and detail. For example, Metro TV critic Keith Watson said that underneath the unusual story, there was an inspiring tale of strength. Grace Dent of The Independent felt the film looked closely at the American healthcare system. Alex Harvey of The Times wrote that the film told Wesley's story with "compassion and detail." Stuart Heritage from The Guardian thought the film managed to be sensitive to the subject, allowing viewers to understand Warren's pain and worries.

The documentary was very popular, attracting nearly 4 million viewers in the United Kingdom. It was also one of the most talked-about broadcasts on social media that week. Sue Oriel from Firecracker Films said the program got "the entire [United Kingdom] talking."

Death

Wesley Warren Jr. passed away at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada on March 14, 2014, at the age of 50. A friend mentioned that he had been in the hospital for several weeks and had suffered multiple heart attacks. His death was caused by complications from diabetes and was not related to his surgery.