Khalid bin Mohsen Shaari, once recognized as the world’s heaviest man, has undergone a remarkable transformation after receiving help from the late Saudi King Abdullah. Shaari, a young man from Saudi Arabia, weighed an incredible 610 kilograms at his peak and was bedridden for over three years.
In 2013, King Abdullah intervened after learning about Shaari’s dire situation. The king arranged for a comprehensive medical plan at no cost, aimed at saving Shaari’s life. Khalid was transported from his home in Jazan to King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh using a forklift and a specially designed bed. There, a team of 30 medical experts was assembled to oversee his treatment.
The plan included a combination of surgical procedures, such as a gastric bypass, along with a tailored diet and exercise regimen. Within six months, Shaari had already lost nearly half his body weight. His recovery process also involved intensive physiotherapy to help him regain mobility.
By the end of his weight-loss journey, Shaari had shed an astounding 542 kilograms, bringing his weight down to just 63.5 kilograms as of 2023. Multiple surgeries were also performed to remove excess skin. Today, Shaari is fondly referred to as “The Smiling Man” by the medical staff who supported his journey.
