Sioux Falls, S.D. ? Patrick Deuel is half the man he used to be.

Deuel, 42, was scheduled to leave the hospital as early as Friday, seven months after he was admitted in grave condition, at 1,072 pounds. After undergoing stomach-reduction surgery in October, he is down to 610 pounds and is healthier.

Since losing more than 500 pounds after stomach-reduction surgery, Patrick Deuel says he's ready to lose even more weight. Deuel has been hospitalized since June 4, when he weighed 1,072 pounds. He spoke with the media Friday in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Now, the Valentine, Neb., man looks forward to the simple things others take for granted, such as taking out the trash and shoveling snow.

“We’ve given him (another) shot at life … and I hope he seizes on it,” said Dr. Fred Harris, leader of the nine-person medical team responsible for Deuel’s care at Avera McKennan Hospital.

Deuel was admitted June 4. Heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure and other problems caused by obesity threatened to kill him. He had trouble breathing and was malnourished because so many of his calories came from foods high in fat and carbohydrates. He had been housebound for seven years and bedridden for months.

Deuel could someday go back to work if he sticks to his diet, keeps building his strength and increases his level of activity, his doctor said.

“My hope is Patrick will be able to remain mobile enough to get out of the house and get a job,” Harris said. “He could have a career in motivational speaking. He’s got the smarts.”

Harris knew surgery was Deuel’s best chance but said Deuel needed to show he was healthy enough to undergo the operation. Deuel was put on a 1,200-calorie-a-day diet and started exercising, and was soon strong enough for surgery.

Deuel said eventually he would like to get down to 240 pounds — although the last time he saw that on the scale was when he was in sixth grade.