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Juan Pedro FrancoOne of the heaviest people in the world
Country:
 Mexico |
Biography of Juan Pedro Franco
Juan Pedro Franco, a 32-year-old successful guitarist, has gained international recognition as one of the heaviest people in the world. Weighing in at a staggering 595 kg, he has spent the last six years confined to his bed. However, Franco is now preparing for a gastric bypass surgery after successfully following a three-month diet plan. Hailing from Aguascalientes, Mexico, Franco's weight has brought him close to Manuel Uribe, another Mexican known as the heaviest man in the world until his passing on May 26, 2014.
To qualify for the gastric bypass surgery, Franco had to lose 175 kg at a specialized weight loss clinic. According to Dr. Jose Antonio Castaneda Cruz, the lead physician in Franco's case, he has already lost nearly 30% of his initial weight and is ready for the bariatric surgery. Franco first gained media attention in November 2016 when he was transported from his home in a specially modified van to a clinic in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Despite significant weight loss, there is still a risk of complications for Franco. However, his doctor remains optimistic and believes that he is on the right track. The main goal of the gastric bypass surgery is to reduce his current weight by 50%. If successful, a second surgery will be required.
Franco is aware of others who, like him, have become "prisoners" in their own homes due to severe obesity. Some have even passed away due to the inability to seek help. Therefore, Franco urges people suffering from obesity to speak up and seek the assistance that is now available.
Franco dreams of losing weight and dancing again. He eagerly anticipates the day when he can go outside, drive a car, and sing again. However, he acknowledges that the journey ahead is challenging and relies on divine intervention to succeed.
Mexico currently faces a significant obesity problem, with nearly 75% of adults classified as overweight or obese. The country also has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. Franco's struggle with excess weight began at a young age, weighing nearly 60 kg when he was only six years old. By the time he turned 17, his weight exceeded 228 kg.
His situation worsened after a severe car accident as a teenager, which resulted in a year-long confinement to his bed due to pneumonia. In July 2016, Franco reached out for help, fearing the inevitable consequences of his weight without intervention. He recognized that his retired parents could not afford the specialized diet he needed.
The world became aware of Franco's dire situation when photographs of his transportation from Aguascalientes to the clinic in Guadalajara were released in November 2016. Initially estimated to weigh just over 500 kg, doctors discovered that Franco was even heavier by an additional 95 kg.
With the opportunity to follow a special diet for three months, Franco hopes to undergo the weight loss surgery in the future. Dr. Jose Antonio Castaneda, who is assisting Franco, expressed confidence that if their plan is followed, Franco can lose an additional 76-88 kg within a year and a half.
