World's fattest woman sheds more than 36 stone

THE former world's fattest woman has lost a staggering 36 stone.

Catrina Raiford, 38, from Tampa, Florida, has lost almost half her bodyweight after ballooning to a whopping 68 stone – nearly half a tonne.

Catrina is now happier and healthier PA Real Life

Catrina’s success follows years of hardship. Sexually abused as a child, young Catrina found comfort in sugary snacks and secret eating.

By the time she was 12 she had become so big that her mum had to start making clothes for her, as local shops did not stock her size.

Catrina aged 5 PA Real Life

By the age of 14 Catrina’s weight had reached 32 stone and she was admitted to a psychiatric home for eight months.

Doctors hoped that this move would help her deal with her overeating, but sadly she continued to pile on weight.

Soon it got so bad that Catrina would not leave her home and as a result she would spend her days miserable, eating and avoiding people.

Unable to move easily, Catrina lost her job and was forced to move back in with her mum.

 In the five years that followed she was bed-bound, with her mum bringing her food and her cousin emptying her bedpan.

"It was the worst time of my life," she said. "I just wanted to die."

But in 2003, Catrina was spurred into making a dramatic change after medical professionals were forced to bulldoze the side of her home when she was overcome with breathing difficulties.

"It was the worst thing that had ever happened to me," she said. "But it was the thing that saved me."

Determined to lose weight, Catrina decided to embark on a strict regime.

With the help of specialists, a calorie-restricted diet and very light exercise, she went onto naturally lose a spectacular 21 stone.

After her initial loss Catrina went on to have a gastric bypass surgery and has now lost over 36 stone in total.

Catrina now enjoys swimming and exercise PA Real Life

But although she is now a shadow of her former self, Catrina hopes to lose even more weight – as well as a sizeable 10-stone of excess skin that she has been left with across her legs, stomach and arms.

The loose skin Catrina needs to lose PA Real Life

Speaking from her hospital bed she said: "I've just been diagnosed with cellulitis (an infection of the skin) after injuring my leg at the gym.

"Doctors say that I need to lose weight to stop injuring myself and having complications, but this heavy skin makes it so hard.

"Last year I bought my first bikini ever. I'm really happy with myself. I don't want my excesses skin removed for my looks.

"I just need the operation to help finish the process I've started and improve my health.

Catrina's first bikini PA Real Life

“I was in bed for so long that now I've lost the weight I just want to be free. I love running around, going to the gym three or four times a week and keeping fit."

Catrina has launched a GoFundMe page for donations towards the $10,000 surgery to remove the skin.