The pictures of him are after receiving both food and fluids. The article discusses the edema he experienced. That’s probably why his face looks so full. His hands and forearms still look awfully skinny to me.

If the recent picture is what he looked like prior to the whole thing, he lost a lot of weight on that boat.

you can see the edema in his ankles.

Correct.

There have been many questions about his story. I believe several media outlets have raised questions about the authenticity of his alleged castaway and rescued story, the most telling being what you've raised too, which is "why is he so plump".

> Why is he so plump?

> Where's the sun tan?

> Could he really drift 8,000 miles across the ocean in 13 months?

> Do urine and turtle blood add up to a credible alternative to fresh water?

> How did he survive and his crewmate did not?

Source: http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/458050/Is-the-castaway-s...

Note, media outlets do not have medical degrees, but do have a vested interest in generating controversy.