After Eman Ahmed, world's heaviest man Juan Pedro Franco undergoes successful weight loss surgery in Mexico

Franco, who at one point weighed almost 600 kilogrammes (1,300 pounds), is being closely monitored by doctors following his weight loss surgery.

Image credit: EFE

New Delhi: Juan Pedro Franco, the world's heaviest man, underwent a successful gastric bypass surgery to reduce his weight by half, his doctors in Mexico confirmed, adding that the procedure has left the patient 'quite delictate'.

The 32-year-old Mexican, who at one point weighed almost 600 kilogrammes (1,300 pounds), is being closely monitored by doctors following the weight loss surgery.

The procedure on Juan Pedro Franco is intended to reduce his weight by half, and is expected to be followed up with another 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 procedure has left the patient "quite delicate", and he is being closely monitored, Castaneda said.

In order to be eligible for surgery, Franco had to lose a large amount of his initial bulk. He also had to get his diabetes and blood pressure under control.

The operation was given the green light when doctors said they were pleased with his steady progress and motivation, which marked a change for Franco, who had spent years in bed.

Franco's stomach size will be reduced and his intestines modified when the second procedure is done, which is likely in November.

Most importantly, the patient has to progress on the psychological and nutritional fronts. "If that does not happen, the entire thing will fail," Castaneda warned.

Mexico's Manuel Uribe, who in 2007 held the record for being the world's heaviest man at 597 kilogrammes, died last year.

Egyptian Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty, believed to be the world's heaviest woman untill she arrived in India in February, recently underwent gastric bypass surgery at Mumbai's Saifee hospital under the supervision of bariatric surgeon Dr Muffazal Lakdawala.

Doctors said her treatment, which also included a modified diet, helped her lose 323 kilogrammes in three months, to stand at around 177 kilogrammes.

Eman is currently being treated at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi. She will undergo a year-long treatment at the hospital, with the doctors focusing on physiotherapy and psychological treatment which will help her sit on a wheelchair and communicate with others.

Doctors in UAE said that Eman is suffering from various health conditions, apart from her obesity-related problems. They said she has a cardiac issue, severe bedsores and urinary tract infections besides other problems.

(With Agency inputs)