Meet Juan Pedro Franco, world's fattest man who lost 250kg
World's fattest man, Juan Pedro Franco from Mexico, who weighed 595kg in October 2016 has now lost 250kg. After the drastic weight loss, thanks to two gastric surgeries, Franco now aims to lose 100 more kilos in next 18 months. He, who hasn't been able to get up from his bed in years, now wants to walk again. Here's more about him.
Why the surgeries?
Franco suffers from hypothyroidism, has diabetes, high blood pressure and a severely obstructed lung. He also has lymphedema in his legs, which because of blockage in his lymphatic system, accumulates fluid. Since he could barely move, shedding calories through exercise wasn't a viable option. The only way to get him to live was by radically reducing his stomach size.
Two major gastric operations in six months
Franco relocated to his surgeon Jose Antonio Castaneda's state for better care. After following a strict Mediterranean diet for six months, he underwent a gastric sleeve operation in May 2017, which reduced his stomach's volume by up to 80%. He then underwent gastric bypass after six months which halved whatever remained of his stomach and divided his intestines to cut down to reduce nutrient absorption.
Franco has started to use a walker, exercise
Now 33, Franco weighs 345kg. Though he's still connected to an oxygen tube every second, he has been more active than ever. Through a walker, he took his first steps in years. He has started to exercise. He lifts weights, pulls resistance cords and pedals his hand-cranked stationary bike. He occasionally also knits scarves, prepares sweets, sings and plays guitar, reported AFP.
Franco's medical team is hopeful
Though he still is a complex patient who won't be out of danger until he gets rid of morbid obesity, Franco's medical team his hopeful about his recovery. "He's doing more exercise each day. He is making an effort to stand up by himself, to get his life on track. He has a very positive attitude," Castaneda told AFP.
