Paul Mason used to be the world's fattest man until he lost 644 pounds through gastric bypass surgery. The problem is after his significant weight loss, he has more than 112 pounds of sagging skin left over that needs to be surgically removed. It's easier said than done since the operation will only be done IF Mason keeps the weight off for a couple of years, on orders of the British National Health Services.
Why would they keep him from this seemingly essential surgery though?
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The 52-year-old British man is now trying to convince the National Health Services to give him the okay and pay for the second surgery (which at $100,000 is also very pricey). He is so determined to subject himself to this reconstructive surgery that he published nude pictures of himself to SHOCK the agency and doctors into giving him the green light to get the surgery done. Britain's National Health Service is strict about their policy and requires that patients maintain a stable weight before they receive the surgery.
Mason became addicted to food in the 1980s after going through an emotionally stressful period in his life. Mason began consuming over 20,000 calories a day! His condition was so bad that he even had to wear adult diapers and couldn't bathe without the assistance of in-home caretakers. In 2010, he received the gastric bypass surgery which shrank his stomach to the size of an egg and the years that followed consisted of him dropping the rest of the weight.
Although I do feel sorry for Mason, these surgeries have certain rules for a reason. I can't blame Britain's National Health Service for requiring patients to maintain their weight before surgically removing the loose skin, especially because it's in the patients' best interest and health. And besides, they're footing the bill, so they should be careful. The images are purely shocking, but for his own health benefits, it's probably best that he waits. Either way, I wish him the best on his weight loss journey and hope that doctors do respond to his cries for help as soon as possible.
Image via www.eurobuzz.org/ Facebook
