A man who was once the fattest in the world is set to return to the UK for medical treatment on the NHS thought to cost £100,000.
Paul Mason is flying home from the USA because in American he cannot afford the treatment he needs after his recovery from morbid obesity backfired.
The 58-year-old jetted off to the US seeking a new life five years ago when an NHS stomach op saw him slim from 70st to 19st.
But his weight has since soared to 40st with the ex-postie blaming comfort eating after breaking up with his girlfriend.
But Paul has denied he is a sponger.
He told The Sun: “I can understand people in Britain saying, ‘Why should my tax pay for him?’
“But I’m no sponger — I deserve it as much as any Brit. I contributed to society when I was working."
He said he regretted his US move because there was no support - but there is in the UK.
Paul, from Ipswich, was able to slim down after the NHS fitted him with a gastric bypass.
But when in the USA he piled the stones back on by gorging on pizza, potatoes, burgers and crisps
And the 58-year-old finds eating better than sex. He said: “You know when you orgasm you get a really good strong sexual feeling? It’s like that, but contentment as well.”
Paul says he needs surgery to replace his knees, repair eight stomach hernias and adjust his bypass.
He also needs continual medication, monthly iron transfusions, counselling sessions, mobility aids and home modifications.
The total bill is estimated at around £108,000. If jobless Paul ends up in council housing that bill will be higher.
He moved to the US in 2014 for surgery to remove the flaps of loose skin left by his weight loss.
He was on a one-year health visa but stayed on illegally after finding love with 8st Rebecca Mountain, 46.
But they split in March and he began bingeing.
He flies back to the UK today - and has booked two seats.
He wrote on his Facebook page earlier this month: "I need to return to the UK where I will be eligible for the assistance I need to get my life back on track."
He added: "But what I can say now is that over the years living in the US I made some wrong decisions which has led to some bad consequences.
"Some of those being letting my visa expire, moving in with someone who was a bad influence and because of these and other choices I made, I've put on weight.
"I'm now around 500 pounds, up from my lowest weight of 275. Looking forward, I need to return to the UK where I will be eligible for the assistance I need to get my life back on track."
