INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Keith Martin Dies: 44-Year-Old Martin, ‘World’s Fattest Man,’ Dies From Pneumonia

By Effie Orfanides
Published on: 07:24 PST, Dec 5, 2014

Keith Martin has died following a bout with pneumonia. According to the Telegraph, Martin was known as the “world’s fattest man.” Weighing in at 980 pounds at his heaviest, Martin tried to lose weight, but was unsuccessful. He got pneumonia eight months after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. Doctors removed three-quarters of his stomach, which could have really been life-changing for him, had he not passed away.

According to the report, Martin would have lost hundreds of pounds following the surgery. Doctors say that he would have gotten his life back, been able to walk, and would have had a real shot at living again.

“In Keith’s case, it’s a shame because he’d had successful surgery despite being high-risk because of his size. It was unlucky he then caught pneumonia. Bariatric surgery can be a very good thing for the people who need it,” explained surgeon Kesava Mannur.

Keith Martin was consuming 20,000 calories a day before he died, and before his surgery. According to the Mail Online, Martin blamed much of his weight gain on his love of fast food. However, he got to a point where he wanted to change his life around, and he was ready to do just that before he got sick.

“I’d resigned myself that either I was going to die in my bed or I was going to kill myself. But now I think ‘you stupid person.’ I’m a lot more confident than I used to be. I feel a lot happier. In a few months’ time I want to be up and walking. I know the only person to blame is me. All those years wasted. I’m not going to waste anymore of it,” Martin said after his surgery.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, a man named Paul Mason had a different experience, and was able to get his happy ending. Mason was once known as the “world’s fattest man,” but he underwent surgery and was able to lose over 600 pounds last year. The 52-year-old worked hard to get his life back, and was able to pull himself together, and get it done.

“After spending the next few years in rehabilitation, Mason decided to make a change. In addition to the gastric bypass procedure, Mason enlisted the help of a therapist to help him address his food addiction. He still undergoes therapy, but is making strides toward improving his life,” reports the Inquisitr.

[Photo courtesy of The Independent / Twitter]

Share this article: Keith Martin Dies: 44-Year-Old Martin, ‘World’s Fattest Man,’ Dies From Pneumonia
More from Inquisitr