World's reportedly heaviest man recovering from bypass surgery in Mexico

The man believed to be the world's heaviest is recovering from biliopancreatic bypass surgery in Mexico, after doctors recommended the procedure amidst fears for the patient's health.

According to local media, thirty-three-year-old Juan Pedro Franco - who has weighed up to 1,311 pounds - has been largely bed-ridden for the last seven years due to his large size. He was recently put on a diet to help shed some weight but not enough to allay concerns for his life.

The surgery took place on May 9th, after Franco dropped 385 pounds over the last couple of months, making surgery possible.

Speaking to Reuters after the surgery in a clinic in Guadalajara, Franco said he would do his best to make his bypass surgery a success.

"I will do all possible so that everything is good. I will do everything I can so that there is no going back. I think everything went well, we're making progress and now to give it all I've got," said Juan Pedro Franco.

Franco has battled obesity all of his life, but the problem took a turn for the worse following an injury at age 17. After this time a dramatic increase in weight gain was observed.

"Thinking about what could happen. What they (doctors) say is that any type of surgery has its complications and risks. We are aware that there are risks and that they could happen and he has gone through a lot," said Franco's mother, Maria De Jesus Lemus.

His medical team told media they are awaiting to see how much of a loss in weight his body will make from the surgery, but due to Franco's delicate health they are keeping a close eye over the patient.

Threats to Franco's health from his obesity ranges from diabetes to organ failure.

Franco's doctor, Jose Castaneda, operated on Franco together with other specialists. Two anaesthesiologists and a cardiologist watched over Franco's vital signs during the 20-minute surgery.

"The surgery was practically a success. Now we need to see how he (Franco) responds to this new change. We hope that everything goes well, keeping in mind that this is a very delicate case, it's an extreme case and there can be any type of contingency or emergency. We are prepared for this," added Dr. Jose Antonio Castandea.

According to the World Health Organisation, Mexico is a global leader in obesity with 35 percent of its adolescents overweight or obese.

RELATED: Eman Ahmed underwent weight loss surgery