World’s fattest man undergoes ‘successful’ surgery to lose 300kg

Juan Pedro Franco, the world’s heaviest man, has undergone successful gastric bypass surgery, his doctors have said.

He is expected to lose 300kg from the procedure carried out to reduce his weight by half.

The Mexican will have a follow-up operation, his surgeon Jose Castaneda said on Tuesday.

“The surgery was quite successful. But now we have to wait and see how he responds to the (systemic) change. Let’s hope everything goes well,” Castaneda said.

The surgeon said the procedure has left the Franco “quite delicate,” and he is being closely monitored.

Franco, who once weighed 595 kilogrammes, was advised to lose a large amount of his initial bulk in order to be eligible for surgery. He also had to get his diabetes and blood pressure under control.

The operation was approved after doctors said they were pleased with his steady progress and motivation.

After the second procedure in November, his stomach size will be reduced and his intestines modified.

According to Castaneda, Franco also has to progress on the psychological and nutritional fronts.

“If that does not happen, the entire thing will fail,” he said.