“I Don’t Need Two Kidneys”: Flex Wheeler’s IFBB Pro Friend Steps Up to Help Amputated Friend

‘A friend in need is a friend indeed,’ is the old adage that best describes what bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler just revealed. The Sultan of Symmetry shared a personal message between himself and his fellow former IFBB Pro Guy Cisternino. The Uprising founder’s selfless gesture toward the 90s bodybuilding moved him to the degree that he shared it with the world.

Although Flex Wheeler has been open about his difficulties, he has battled multiple health-related. However, a rare chronic kidney disease, Focus Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), has been the root of all his problems. Cisternino was unaware of his friend’s kidney disease and 2003 transplant. However, when Cisternino learned about the condition, he made a gesture that melted Wheeler’s heart.

“I did’t know and never knew your one kidney was that bad. Tell me what I need to do to get checked to see if I’m a match. I’m old and retired I don’t need 2 kidneys. I rather my friend is on this earth longer than dead, because he didn’t get a kidney. So whatever I gotta do to get checked, I’ll do it this week,” the retired IFBB Pro texted Flex Wheeler.

FSGS forced Flex Wheeler to prematurely end his bodybuilding career. Over the years, the disease has caused circulation problems for the bodybuilding icon as well. In 2019, the 58-year-old had to pay the price with a leg amputation. Doctors gave Wheeler a choice between living or saving his leg, and the bodybuilder chose the former. However, further problems arose in 2022.

Flex Wheeler explained that his transplanted kidney showed signs of failure. It’s been two years since the bodybuilding coach revealed this information on the Menace Podcast. However, his conversation with Guy Cisternino may suggest that’s time for Wheeler to undergo another surgery.

Why Flex Wheeler may need another kidney transplant

Flex Wheeler went for a repeat torn rotator cuff surgery. However, during his time at the hospital, the Sultan of Symmetry caught a GI tract infection. While treating that infection, doctors told the building icon that his kidney had “signs of wear and tear.” After his surgery in 2003, the Mr. Olympia runner-up disclosed that his donor was “very, very fatigued.”

The Sultan of Symmetry also revealed that the donor was a far smaller person than him. However, despite these factors, the transplanted kidney has served Flex Wheeler for over two decades. In 2022, the 58-year-old explained he was quite surprised that the kidney had lasted so long.

Does the bodybuilding icon finally require a second transplant? For now, only Flex Wheeler knows the answer and hasn’t shared it with fans yet. Yet, whether Flex Wheeler needs it or not, Guy Cisternino’s gesture truly meant a lot to the bodybuilding legend.