Lupita gets upset because she wants to be served her meal five minutes before the scheduled time at her home in Mexico City, Mexico on April 19, 2017. Because she had bariatric surgery in May 2012, her access to food must be strictly supervised and limited. Maria Guadalupe Pilar Saucedo Granda, also known as 'Lupita', a 43-year-old Mexican woman, lives with her sister Olga during the week and with her sister Gabriela on weekends, in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) as a newborn. In 2011, she weighed 123 kilos (271 pounds) and was morbidly obese. Because of the higher risks, she is one of the few Mexican patients with PWS to have received bariatric surgery in May 2012. Bariatric surgery is usually not recommended for PWS patients, as it requires constant supervision and control from their caretakers. Lupita follows a well-balanced diet with rigorous supervision and eats regularly scheduled meals. Today she weighs 60 kilos (132 pounds). Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In?newborns?symptoms include?weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to?obesity?and?Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate?intellectual impairment?and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS?affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Benedicte Desrus/Sipa USA)
