This is the story of Joseph, a 28-year-old man who's made a very difficult choice. On December 2024, Joseph Awuah-Darko shared the difficult decision of choosing euthanasia on Instagram. He's not physically sick, but he's been battling a severe mental illness called bipolar disorder for many years. He's tried many treatments, but nothing has helped him feel better. He feels like the pain of his illness is too much to bear. He's shared his story publicly to help people understand what he's going through and to show how serious mental illness can be. Joseph shared a post that explained why he is making this decision, in the caption of the post he shared, “I am not saying that life (as a phenomenon) isn’t worth living. It ABSOLUTELY is. What I am saying is that the mental weight of MINE has become entirely unbearable.”

Joseph has bipolar disorder, which means his moods swing very high and very low. He's had this illness for a long time, and it makes his life very difficult. On his Instagram, he has shared his journey with bipolar, he explained that he tried many different medicines and therapies, but they haven't worked. He feels constant pain and suffering because of his illness. He's reached a point where he feels like he can't go on anymore. He's been open about his struggles on social media, hoping to raise awareness about mental health. He wants people to understand how much he suffers and why he's made this decision.

Euthanasia in the Netherlands

Government of the Netherlands explain that in the Netherlands, it's legal for a doctor to help someone end their life if they meet certain conditions. This is called euthanasia. Joseph has applied for this because he feels his mental illness is causing him unbearable suffering. There are rules and procedures that doctors must follow. They have to make sure the person understands their decision and that there are no other options. The process can take a long time, sometimes years. Joseph believes that having the option of a peaceful and dignified death is important. He wants to have control over how his life ends.

The Last Supper Project

When Joseph shared his decision, people had many different reactions. Some people understood and supported him. Others were sad and hoped he would change his mind. He even received some negative comments. But he also received many kind messages, including invitations to have dinner. This inspired him to start "The Last Supper Project," where he travels and shares meals with strangers. In the caption he explained, “‘The Last Supper Project’ is based on the Harvard Study of Adult Development which speaks to the importance of quality relationships and community as the greatest predictor for happiness. And I feel connecting this way around food as a great unifying vessel could be beautiful.”

The Last Supper Project is one of the longest studies, lasting for more than 80 years, done on adult development. In an Author Speaks edition of McKinsey & Company, the study’s director Robert Waldinger explained the study wanted to know what helps people have happy and healthy lives, even if they had problems when they were young. Most studies only looked at what goes wrong, but this one wanted to know what goes right. The study emphasizes that it is never too late for positive changes. People often believe they are too old or incapable of forming good relationships. They may think happiness is out of reach. However, the study has observed individuals who found happiness unexpectedly.

Joseph wants to connect with people and enjoy these moments while he waits for his euthanasia request to be approved. He sees these dinners as a way to find joy and connection in his final chapter. He still has bad days, but he finds comfort in these shared experiences.

With the increasing accessibility of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, more people are shedding pounds. But the transformation can come with its own caveats — sagging skin, hair loss and dental issues that may require further attention.

And if you thought women were the only ones taking the plunge, think again.

While women still account for the overwhelming majority of aesthetic treatments, demand among men in the US has risen in recent years, particularly among those who have undergone significant weight loss through GLP-1 therapies.

More US Men Seek Cosmetic Treatments

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, men underwent 1.7 million cosmetic procedures in 2024, including surgeries and minimally invasive treatments such as laser skin resurfacing and Botox injections. That was a 2.7% increase from the previous year.

Of the total, more than 98,000 were surgeries, with eyelid surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks among the most commonly performed procedures.

“I’ve seen probably a doubling in the number of male patients that I treat over the last one to two years,” Sean Alemi, a New York-based facial plastic surgeon, was quoted as saying to Reuters.

Also read: Lehengas, Diets & Now Mounjaro: The New Must-Have For Indian Brides?

Experts say demand will keep rising as more weight-loss drugs, including new pill versions, reach the market.

In the first quarter of 2026, nearly 70% of men who underwent surgical procedures had a history of GLP-1 use, Dr. Bob Basu, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said.

Younger men often seek procedures to remove loose skin and improve the appearance of an athletic physique, while older men are focused on signs of aging, particularly in the face and neck, doctors said.

Rapid Weight Loss May Affect Surgical Outcomes

Read More: GLP-1 Drugs Making You Lose Muscle Along With Fat? Scientists Discover Game Changing Weight-Loss Compound To Tackle It

The growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs has also created a new generation of body-contouring patients, along with new challenges for plastic surgeons, according to recent research by Duke University.

The research suggests that how much weight patients lose — and how quickly they lose it — could affect surgical results when tightening or removing excess skin after massive weight loss.

For the study, published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Duke researchers analyzed more than a decade of abdominal body-contouring procedures, such as tummy tucks, and found that patients who lost large amounts of weight quickly faced higher risks of surgical complications.

The more than 500 patients studied were grouped based on how they lost weight: through bariatric surgery alone, GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide alone, or a combination of both.

The highest complication rates were seen among patients who combined surgery with GLP-1 drugs that reduce appetite. These patients not only lost the most weight overall — about 29% of their body weight, compared with 10% among GLP-1 users — but did so at the fastest rate.

A New Challenge for Plastic Surgeons

But those rapid changes may come with tradeoffs, said senior study author and professor of surgery Ash Patel, MBChB, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Duke Health.

“These are highly effective weight-loss tools, and they are changing the patient population we see in body contouring,” Patel said. “We’re operating on people whose bodies have undergone rapid, profound changes, and that affects healing.”

Kidneys are two bean shaped structures, located on the back side of the abdomen, one each on right and left side. It filters blood by removing waste products via urine. Besides this it also functions as an endocrine organ, producing hormones like renin (for blood pressure control), erythropoietin (for hemoglobin production) and aids in active vitamin D formation (for bone health).

Though human beings have two kidneys usually, there are situations where individuals can lead a healthy life on one kidney. This could be developmental anomaly (since birth). Congenital absence of one kidney is called renal agenesis, and these individuals lead a normal life with normal kidney function.

Sometimes, a single kidney is acquired due to removal of one kidney for donation. As in a healthy donor gives their kidney to someone in need, whose both kidneys have failed. This is indeed a noble gesture and one that does not come with any significant impact on the donor’s quality of life.

Can You Live With One Kidney After Donation?

Also read: When a Fever Is More Than a Fever: Recurrent UTIs in Children Can Put Kidneys at Risk

The process of organ donation, where a healthy person’s healthy kidney is removed for the therapeutic purpose to benefit another individual suffering from kidney failure, is called donor nephrectomy. The first such surgery was done in the USA in the year 1954, with open surgery.

Now a days, most donor nephrectomies are done either with laparoscopy (key hole surgery) or robot assisted. Thus, a question that often arises in such times is, whether one can live with one kidney after kidney organ donation? To understand this, one should first understand that a donor undergoes a thorough rigorous fitness evaluation to determine if kidney donation is viable.

During this evaluation process, kidney function of both kidneys are evaluated. The kidney donor is deemed fit to donate the kidney only after it is ascertained that the donor has two healthy kidneys free from any disease, and the donor would be able to lead a normal life with one kidney. it is also ascertained that the other kidney transplanted in another is also having good kidney function to survive in the recipient.

What Happens To The Donor After Kidney Donation?

Another commonly asked question that doctors often get is, what happens to the kidney donor with one kidney after donation? Most kidney donors live long healthy life after organ donation. However, it should be appreciated that every individual is different, and age at the time of organ donation matters a lot. Risk is generally low, and they carry out their regular activities as before. Rarely the donor has a slight chance of developing high blood pressure or protein leak in the urine.

However, overall risk of significant kidney disease is <1%, which is considered less than having the similar risk in general population. Though, there may be slightly higher chances of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy in a kidney donor. However, in majority of cases, Kidney donation is generally a safe procedure, and most donors continue to lead healthy, active lives with one kidney. With appropriate long-term follow-up and healthy lifestyle choices, donors can maintain excellent kidney health after donation.

By Dr. Hemant Mehta, Consultant Interventional Nephrologist, Lilavati Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai

Common metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes are increasingly becoming a serious public health concern in India. Their health implications extend beyond the conditions themselves, with obesity and diabetes associated with a range of chronic diseases and complications that can affect long-term health and wellbeing. As lifestyles become more sedentary and the prevalence of these conditions continues to rise, understanding their wider implications on women’s health is becoming increasingly important.

What many women may not realize is that this metabolic burden can carry a deeper, less visible consequence one that reaches into the domain of gynecological cancer.

One such concern is endometrial cancer. A form of uterine cancer, it develops in the lining of the uterus and is becoming an increasingly important health issue globally. Yet, many women remain unfamiliar with the disease, its risk factors, and the symptoms that require prompt medical attention.

The Metabolic Health Connection

Increasing evidence points to a link between metabolic syndrome and endometrial cancer, particularly through conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Excess body weight and metabolic disturbances can disrupt hormonal balance, such as by increasing estrogen production without a corresponding increase in progesterone. Over time, this hormonal imbalance may stimulate abnormal growth of the endometrial lining, increasing the likelihood of cancer development.

Diabetes, too, has been associated with an increased risk. As obesity and diabetes become more prevalent, recognizing these less-discussed consequences is an important part of strengthening women’s preventive health.

For women, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, managing metabolic conditions effectively and paying attention to unusual symptoms can all form part of a broader approach to preventive health.

Watching Out For Unusual Symptoms

One of the most important characteristics of endometrial cancer is that it often presents with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Bleeding or spotting after menopause is one of the most significant warning signs and should never be ignored.

For women who have not reached menopause, heavier-than-normal periods, prolonged bleeding, or bleeding between periods should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Why Awareness Matters

Improving awareness is important because there is currently no recommended routine screening test for endometrial cancer in asymptomatic women. As a result, recognizing symptoms and seeking timely medical advice are among the most effective ways to support earlier diagnosis.

At the same time, the conversation should not end with cancer awareness alone. As India continues to face a growing burden of obesity and diabetes, prioritizing metabolic health has become increasingly important for overall wellbeing.

Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, and effectively managing conditions such as diabetes can help reduce the risk of a range of serious health complications, including certain cancers. For women, understanding the connection between metabolic health and endometrial cancer can empower more informed decisions about prevention, symptom recognition, and long-term health. By addressing obesity and diabetes early and seeking medical advice when unusual symptoms arise, women can take meaningful steps towards protecting their health at every stage of life.

(By Dr. Shefali Sardana, Medical Oncologist, Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi)