BOSTON (AP) — Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis testified Wednesday he had gastric bypass surgery because he was afraid he would die if he didn't lose weight, but life-threatening complications resulted after the procedure.

In his malpractice lawsuit, Weis claims Massachusetts General surgeons Charles Ferguson and Richard Hodin acted negligently by failing to recognize life-threatening complications, allowing him to bleed internally for more than a day.
The doctors maintain they did nothing wrong.

Weis, the former offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, testified during the second day of the trial that he had a lifelong battle with his weight. His father, he said, died of a heart attack at 56.

After watching a DVD of the Patriots' 2001 Super Bowl win over the St. Louis Rams, he decided to have the surgery, he said.

“I just looked at myself on the sideline and I said, 'We got a problem here,' “ Weis testified.

At the time of his surgery in June 2002, Weis weighed 350 pounds.

Weis said he spent more than a month in various hospitals, and after his release had problems walking and could get around only with the help of a wheelchair or electric cart. His lawyer, Michael Mone, told the jury during opening statements Tuesday that Weis still suffers nerve damage in his legs.

Weis also said he remembered waking up while the intensive care unit and seeing Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is expected to testify in the case.

William J. Dailey Jr., an attorney for the doctors, told jurors Tuesday the doctors acted appropriately and said Weis experienced one of the known complications of the surgery.

Weis is seeking unspecified damages.