Philadelphia Eagles backup right guard Max Jean-Gilles missed a practice today at the team’s facilities because of a scheduled surgery.
(Photo is six years, 50 pounds ago)
Lap band surgery.
Jean-Gilles, who has reportedly tipped the scales at as much as 400 pounds, has been nagged by constant injuries since he was drafted out of the University of Georgia in 2006. Injuries that he and the Eagles attribute to his weight.
Philly.com reports Jean-Gilles and his wife “researched” the prospect of lap band surgery, talking to friends of the family about it. And today was the day Jean-Gilles went through with procedure, which he hopes will help him lose “50 to 80 pounds very quickly.”
Sounds healthy!
Jean-Gilles to Eagles Blog GCobb.com:
“They put a tube on top of your stomach to make your stomach a little smaller. I talked to some friends of the family who did it. It was a big difference in their life. They feel healthy, they feel confident in themselves. The weight comes off quick.”
More from MJG to Philly.com:
“I’d like to weigh around 335 when the season starts.” He said he weighs about 375 right now, and is consuming only clear liquids for the first week after the procedure.
“I talked to some friends of the family who did it. It was a big difference in their life. They feel healthy, they feel confident in themselves. The weight comes off quick.
“I did it for now and in the future … I didn’t want to be 400 pounds after football, then have heart problems. I was almost, close to 4(00) and I said, ‘oh man, I can’t live like this.’ I was breathin’ heavy.”
No official word yet on what involvement the Eagles had in the decision by Jean-Gilles. But the fact that he’s been cleared for the weight loss surgery speaks volumes about the team’s reported concern about the offensive lineman’s weight.
2:46 pm on April 30th, 2010
mix in a salad …fat bastard
2:50 pm on April 30th, 2010
yeah I’ll take two number fours, super size it an order of mcnuggets and ummm diet coke.
3:22 pm on April 30th, 2010
Nice rack.
5:18 pm on April 30th, 2010
Hey, it worked wonders for John Daly!
11:25 pm on April 30th, 2010
Good luck, hope it gets the results you want.
10:47 pm on May 2nd, 2010
Good luck Big Guy… I know that you will find that it works. I know several people whom have had the procedure.
9:26 am on May 3rd, 2010
Its good that he is realizing that his football weight isn’t healthy, and I suppose any professional athlete approaching 400lbs would have a hard time losing the weight the normal way (he probably exercises more than most of us already in practice), but the surgery pretty much shrinks your stomach, so you eat less. Wouldn’t this weaken him some?
Its better doing this than retiring at 400lbs, but I haven’t heard of a pro athlete, a football player no less, doing this. Hope it works out.
2:43 pm on May 3rd, 2010
yeah I hope this works. He’s certainly maxed out his talent at his current weight. I imagine he could be pretty effective at a cool 340-350lbs.
Congrats to the first three commentors. Immaturity knows no bounds. Give him a little credit for trying to be healthy.
9:59 am on May 9th, 2010
I think this guy made a very good decision that will help prolong his life - it has nothing to do with footbal.
And to the first 3 clowns who left ignorant messages - you guys arent funny - may the three of you get cancer of the colon !!