Former Bangladesh armed forces officer, Captain Rajeeb Mahmud Babu (26) weighed a staggering 174 kilos in February last year when he was expelled from the army for being overweight. “I could hardly move, felt lethargic through the day and couldn’t even tie my shoelaces,” recalls Babu, speaking to sunday mid-day. Local doctors told him his heart was functioning only at 25 per cent of the regular rate and he would not live long.

The Weight’s off his mind: (Left) Captain Rajeeb Mahmud Babu at 174 kg last year. (Right) Now, after bariatric surgery, Babu weighs 90 kg