Man who almost 'ate himself to the grave' loses 30 stone

Ioan Pollard is a man who has faced a significant struggle with his weight. At his heaviest, he weighed an astonishing 45 stone, which is about 286 kilograms, and his waist measured nearly six feet. This weight caused serious health issues, and he found himself in a hospital bed, unsure if he would survive the night. At just 27 years old, Ioan needed a kidney transplant, but he was not eligible for the waiting list due to his weight. He recalled, 'I really pushed myself as far as I could in terms of how much my body could take. ' The medical staff informed him that the next eight hours were critical for his survival. A new documentary on S4C will follow Ioan's journey as he lost an incredible 30 stone, or 191 kilograms, to qualify for a kidney transplant and gain a new lease on life. Ioan expressed his gratitude towards the hospital staff who supported him through this challenging time. Just a month after his 27th birthday, Ioan was on the brink of death. He had developed scratches on his leg that became infected, leading to severe kidney damage. He stated, 'It was immediately obvious that my kidneys had been severely damaged. ' Living in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, he was informed by doctors that he needed to start considering dialysis, a treatment for patients with failing kidneys. Ioan realized that his size and weight made it impossible for him to receive a transplant. He candidly admitted, 'The truth is, I was far too fat. ' His family and friends were deeply concerned for his health, especially his mother, Eleri. She shared, 'We were worried about his health. I thought he was going to eat himself to the grave. ' Reflecting on his past, Ioan looked through his old clothes, which he had to buy from specialty stores due to his size. He acknowledged, 'I had no self-control. ' Food had taken control of his life. At the time, he did not want to accept that he was addicted to food and overeating, but now he recognizes that he was. He remarked, 'I could be here all day blaming this and that for the situation I was in, but it simply comes down to two things - I was too greedy and too lazy. ' Looking back, he feels embarrassed about the choices he made regarding his health. He said, 'It's only now that I realize what I'd done to myself and my body. ' Eleri Pollard made the brave decision to donate one of her kidneys to her son. She expressed, 'I want Ioan to live his life, he deserves it. ' After seven years of hard work, including bariatric surgeries to help him lose weight, Ioan finally lost enough weight to be eligible for a kidney transplant. It was discovered that his mother was a perfect match and could donate one of her kidneys. Now, at 35 years old, Ioan is hopeful for a healthier future. He stated, 'I've been through so much. I just want this to work without any problems. ' He admits to worrying more about his mother than himself because she is putting herself in a vulnerable position to help him. He understands that everything now depends on this transplant.