A 317.5kg man described as China’s “second fattest person” suffered life-threatening heart and respiratory failure in late August.
Unable to take a high-speed train or commercial flight due to his size, he had to go through a 23-hour journey across provinces to receive emergency treatment.
In particular, the man, identified by the pseudonym Xiao Zhou (name transliterated from Mandarin), had to travel from Kunming to Wuhan, spanning 1,500km.
Xiao Zhou’s condition rapidly declined in late August. He began showing signs of hypoxia, or low oxygen levels in his body’s tissues.
Seeing this, his cousin consulted a doctor from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University online. The doctor said Xiao Zhou had to be sent to the Wuhan hospital immediately.
As he could not travel by train or plane, his family arranged a private vehicle with a nurse to accompany him.
Source: Changjiang Daily via HK01
After a 23-hour journey, Xiao Zhou arrived at the Wuhan hospital on 23 Aug.
At the time, he was bedridden and suffering from respiratory and heart failure, and showed signs of multiple organ dysfunction.
He also had swelling throughout his body, skin ulcers, and infection with extremely high inflammatory levels, requiring him to be intubated.
According to mainland media reports, Xiao Zhou’s weight problems began when he was five years old after developing asthma linked to a buckwheat pillow.
He underwent long-term steroid treatment, which contributed to gradual weight gain. By his university years, he weighed around 120kg.
After starting work, his weight increased further as he struggled to manage his diet, eventually reaching 280kg.
Source: Changjiang Daily via HK01
According to HK01, he attempted to lose weight through intensive exercise, but his weight would return whenever he stopped training.
He surpassed 300kg in May 2025.
The medical team designed a three-stage treatment plan for Xiao Zhou.
First, they planned to restore his heart and lung functions. Then, he would undergo medical weight loss to improve his basic condition. Finally, doctors would perform weight loss surgery if he passed an assessment.
During his 13-day ICU stay, even basic procedures such as repositioning him and clearing his airway required more than a dozen medical staff members.
Source: Changjiang Daily via HK01
By 4 Sept, doctors said Xiao Zhou’s heart and lung functions had stabilised, infections were under control, and his swelling had reduced.
He also lost 22kg during treatment. Additionally, the medical team said he has passed the critical stage.
Moving him out of the ICU required a team of 12 healthcare workers, who spent 18 minutes carefully transferring him onto two adjoining hospital beds.
Source: Changjiang Daily via HK01
The hospital has placed him on a custom, calorie-controlled six-meal daily diet plan.
Medical staff aims to help him shed an additional 50 kilograms over the next two months, Sing Tao Headline reported.
Weight-loss surgery will be scheduled once his physical condition and organ function meet the required safety thresholds.
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Featured image adapted from Changjiang Daily via HK01.