Weight-Loss expert Dr. Siegal interview, New Jersey's 'fat Donna' made an offer

By April MacIntyre Apr 3, 2010, 21:57 GMT

Dr. Siegal, ocurtesy of Siegal Medical Group

America is way too fat, and the camps are divided into the pro-active who are losing weight and eschewing bad diets to the large and proud types who say back off, their chub is their business.

Now in New Jersey, lives the “Fattest Mother in the Nation,” Donna Simpson, who has reached near 700 lbs and continues her quest to be “the fattest woman in the world”, weighing in at over 1,000 lbs.

Donna, courtesy of Dr. Siegal Medical Group

Weight-loss expert Dr. Sanford Siegal has decided to dig into his own pocket to pay Donna the sum of $50,000 if she agrees to stop gaining and start losing. He is paying her to save her life, and sent her a certified letter stating this.

Dr. Siegal is an obesity and thyroid expert who has helped hundreds of thousands of people and based in NYC, Miami and LA.  Dr. Siegal implores 600+ pound Donna Simpson to stop eating herself to death and accept his offer to pay her $100 for every pound she loses

Siegal is best known as the creator of the popular Dr. Siegal's COOKIE DIET® weight-loss system and foods, confirmed today that he has offered Donna Simpson of Old Bridge, New Jersey, $50,000 if she'll end her much-publicized quest to reach a weight of 1,000 pounds and, instead, achieve a healthful weight.

"When I first heard about Donna Simpson's plan to reach a weight of 1,000 pounds I thought it was a joke. Then I read the news reports and realized she was serious. I was appalled," said Dr. Siegal. "I understand that people are encouraging this woman on Twitter and other social media sites, and that some food companies may even be jumping on the bandwagon. In my opinion, anyone who encourages this dangerous stunt is essentially guilty of assisted suicide."

In his letter to Simpson, Dr. Siegal warned her of the health consequences that he says she is certain to face if she doesn't reverse course soon:

"Since nothing I've read about you in the media suggests that you're suicidal, I have to conclude that you aren't intentionally trying to kill yourself and are doing so unknowingly. I must assume that you simply don't appreciate the severity--and certainty--of the premature death you face and the ghastly medical problems that will precede it."

In particular, Dr. Siegal warned Simpson about the horrors of diabetes which, he said, she is virtually certain to develop if she hasn't already:

"But, mercifully, you are not likely to reach your goal. Your early success will eventually work against you. As your diabetes becomes more severe and you become less mobile (probably bedridden), there's a good chance that one or both of your legs will be amputated. This will reduce your weight significantly. Of course, your legs will not be much use to you since you probably won't be able to walk anyway, with or without them. You may not even miss your legs since you won't be able to see them as a result of the blindness that often accompanies diabetes. But you may still feel pain in them even after they're gone. That often happens after amputation; it's called 'phantom pain'."

Dr. Siegal explained in his letter that, although he hopes to stop Simpson from "eating herself to death," his primary motivation in making his offer is to reverse the damage that may have been done to children and impressionable teenagers who he says have been sent a dangerous message by Simpson's actions and the publicity they have received.

"As I've said, I've devoted my life to educating the world about the perils of obesity and to helping people get thin. Many others, including the current First Lady, are also involved in this struggle. Your mission--and the publicity it has generated and will continue to generate--undermine our efforts and send a very bad message. While I sincerely want to save you from eating yourself to death, it is the population as a whole--especially children and impressionable teenagers--that I hope to help by convincing you to stop setting a terrible example and start being a good role model."

Dr. Siegal's offer to Simpson provides for specific payments to be made as she achieves certain milestones. If she accepts, the first $10,000 will be paid upon her (1) ending her weight-gain diet and agreeing not to resume it in the future, (2) beginning a weight-loss diet of her choosing under a doctor's supervision, and (3) agreeing to speak to the media about her unequivocal decision to end her self-destructive behavior and pursue a healthful weight.

"The first $10,000 would come very quickly as it doesn't require her to lose weight, just to stop trying to gain weight," explained Dr. Siegal. "The other $40,000 will be paid as she reaches certain weight milestones."

Simpson would receive $10,000 for every 100 pounds she loses until she reaches 200 pounds.

"Once she hits 200 pounds, I think she'll have all the motivation she'll need to lose the rest," said Dr. Siegal. "By that point she'll look and feel so much better."

Dr. Siegal's offer allows Simpson to choose any weight-loss approach as long as it is approved and supervised by a doctor and doesn't involve surgery:

"As for how you lose the weight, that's up to you. I don't care which method of weight loss you choose as long as it doesn't involve surgery (let's not try to correct one ill-advised action with another) and is approved by your doctor. If you wish to follow Dr. Siegal's COOKIE DIET, which has worked very well for generations of dieters, I'll provide for free the cookies and shake mixes that will keep your hunger in check as you follow a reduced-calorie diet. Also at your option, I'll recommend a physician in New York City who uses Dr. Siegal's COOKIE DIET in his practice and who I believe would treat you at no cost."

Dr. Sanford Siegal is a practicing physician, author, and weight-loss pioneer whose South Florida medical practice, Siegal Medical Group, has treated more than 500,000 overweight patients.

Dr. Siegal is recently appeared on ABC's Good Morning America, and WFAA_TV (Dallas, TX) and KPRC-TV (Houston, TX).  His COOKIE DIET® can be explored here

RULES FOR DONNA:

 ·         $10,000 to IMMEDIATELY stop trying to gain weight and agree not to resume doing so in the future

·         begin a weight-loss diet under a doctor’s supervision

·         The remainder of the $50,000 will be paid in stages as Donna loses weight

·         $10,000 for every 100 pounds Donna loses until she reaches 200 pounds, at which point she will have received a total of $50,000.

In Dr. Siegal’s opinion - Donna Simpson is committing a prolonged suicide. Human beings are not made to weigh 1,000 pounds – let alone consume 12,000 calories a day, which is Donna’s minimum intake.  

Donna has children and a husband who she should be thinking of spending a long life with not shortening her minutes by each bite she takes.  But she revels in the notoriety of becoming the fattest women on record.

Dr. Siegal took time out of his busy practice to speak to Monsters and Critics' TV and People/Celebrity editor April MacIntyre about Donna and the obesity crisis.

Monsters and Critics: In your estimation, what is the real reason Donna is doing this?

Dr. Siegal.:  In interviews I’ve read, she claims it’s because she enjoys entertaining the people who, apparently, like to watch her eat. But I’ve also read that some people, at least, send her money for the privilege of watching her eat.

If that’s truly her motivation, I’m baffled, because accepting my offer will bring her more fame and more money than she could ever receive doing what she’s now doing, and it could save her life. 

M&C:  As a physician, are you alarmed at how fat this nation has become in the last 35 years?

Dr. S: Of course. My alarm over the situation has led me to devote the last fifty years of my life to the problem. Since 1960, I’ve limited my medical practice to the treatment of obesity. And since 1975, Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet has been my sole approach to weight loss.

I’ve used it with more than 500,000 patients. I’ve had great success with it, but despite my efforts and those of many other professionals, the explosion in the availability of cheap, delicious foods and the marketing behind them have won the battle, at least so far.

M&C:  Outside of heart disease and diabetes, what are some of the other health issues people may not realize that comes with excessive weight?

Dr. S.:  Where should I start? Stroke. Kidney disease. Orthopedic problems. And of course, there are the social and psychological problems. I’ve had patients who were too big to fly on airplanes, who experienced the humiliation of breaking chairs and tumbling to the ground in public, and at least one who was delivered to my office on a forklift.

M&C:  Now that health care is such a hot button issue, as a non-smoker who exercises regularly - it angers me a bit that I have to kick into a system that takes care of people whose lifestyle makes them chronically ill.  What is your personal opinion about the new rules coming down the pike?

Dr. S.: Honestly, that’s a question about politics and social science rather than medicine. I’m a medical practitioner, not a policymaker, and I don’t think that my personal views are particularly important.

M&C: Biggest food sin people commit is...?

Dr. S:  That’s an easy one: eating too much of it. In my experience, the bulk of the enjoyment from food comes in the first bite or two, after which you can’t taste it nearly as well. But that doesn’t stop us from taking the next ten bites. Hunger and appetite aren’t the same. When you’re not hungry, stop eating.