IPSWICH: A 70-stone Ipswich man is today still awaiting lifesaving surgery, it has been claimed.

IPSWICH: A 70-stone Ipswich man is today still awaiting lifesaving surgery, it has been claimed.

Paul Mason was transported from his home in east Ipswich to a specialist unit in St Richard's Hospital, Sussex, last Wednesday to have a gastric bypass.

Although it was believed the operation took place on Friday, sources claim Mr Mason, 48, is still waiting to have the surgery.

It is not known why he has not had the operation, although doctors were wary beforehand of the risks involved, given the strain his heart would be put under following the general anaesthetic.

The surgery will be carried out by one of the leading gastric surgeons, Shaw Somers, who has been nicknamed the “fat doctor” because of the thousands of gastric bypasses and gastric band operations he has performed.

Mr Mason has been closely followed throughout the process by a TV crew who are filming a Channel 4 documentary about his life and his bid to shed the pounds.

Readers of The Evening Star are continuing to express strong views on the subject after it was revealed that he has received around �1million in state-funded care.

If you want to have your say on this subject, visit www.eveningstar.co.uk and leave your comments.