Trying to feel right in my own skin...
Donation protected
I just wanted to share my story with all my friends and
family in hopes that I may possibly be able to "feel comfortable in my own
skin" for the first time in my life....
At the beginning of the year I made the decision to change my lifestyle to better my health and general well-being. It was something that I had been putting off for a long time but knew I couldn't push it off another day. My sleep apnea was at it's worst, my blood pressure was getting higher (even though I religiously took my blood pressure pill), and my energy level's were bottoming out. At this point, I couldn't even have a conversation without getting winded,...needless to say,...there was a need for change. This change was something that had to happen, not only for myself, but for my family,... I did not want to leave behind a wife and 3 kids for my selfish desire for food. As of January 7th, 2013,...I started my journey. This journey has by far been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I made the choice not to diet, but to change my way of life. I chose to start exercising 4-5 days a week for an hour and a half each time, and also to keep my daily calorie intake to less than 1400 calories per day. While these measures may seem extreme, being the impatient person that I am (along with 90 % of the general population), I needed to do something drastic to get the results I was looking for in order to keep myself motivated. I have managed to work hard and stay determined during this challenge in my life, and allow myself to only have a cheat day once per month, which ...again, may seem extreme, but being that I started out at 390 lbs, I HAD to do something extreme to change my way of life.
As of today, June 28th, 2013, I have managed to lose 130 lbs!!!! Something that I'm very proud of and for the first time in over 13 years I'm under 300 lbs. I feel much better and healthier but have ran into some problems at this stage in my journey. As embarrassing as this is to say, with my extreme weight loss has come an extreme amount of excess skin left over from the weight loss. This may not seem like a big deal, but...truth be told, this issue is becoming unbearable and has overshadowed all of my efforts and hard work. I have been getting rashes.... BAD rashes... constantly. I now have lower back pain on a daily basis from the skin pulling on my back muscles, and also have issues sleeping because of the excess weight from the skin pushing on my diaphragm making it difficult to breathe while sleeping. I have gone back and forth with the insurance company regarding these issues and have been told multiple times..." it's just simply not a covered benefit ". Now...at a time of my life where I should be FINALLY enjoying life and that of a healthy lifestyle, I have yet another obstacle in my way...one that unfortunately I cannot conquer on my own for MULTIPLE reasons.
I have found a doctor that can do the procedures needed to remove the excess skin and tighten the associated muscles for $4500.00 and after talking to many health systems and doctors, this price is VERY reasonable and would eliminate any further issues with the above problems as described above. In other words...this procedure would be life changing and finally allow me to enjoy life as a healthy individual for the first time of my life. I feel embarrassed asking for help like this but at this point in my life, I have run out of options and feel that my friends and family would understand this situation and if possible, try to assist me in getting through this obstacle in my life. I do NOT want anyone to feel obligated by any means to have to contribute anything! But...with that being said, if anyone is able to help out monetarily in any way, even the smallest contribution at this point can get me that much closer to my life changing procedure. I appreciate any and everyone that has taken the time to read my story and thank you in advance for any help offered.
At the beginning of the year I made the decision to change my lifestyle to better my health and general well-being. It was something that I had been putting off for a long time but knew I couldn't push it off another day. My sleep apnea was at it's worst, my blood pressure was getting higher (even though I religiously took my blood pressure pill), and my energy level's were bottoming out. At this point, I couldn't even have a conversation without getting winded,...needless to say,...there was a need for change. This change was something that had to happen, not only for myself, but for my family,... I did not want to leave behind a wife and 3 kids for my selfish desire for food. As of January 7th, 2013,...I started my journey. This journey has by far been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I made the choice not to diet, but to change my way of life. I chose to start exercising 4-5 days a week for an hour and a half each time, and also to keep my daily calorie intake to less than 1400 calories per day. While these measures may seem extreme, being the impatient person that I am (along with 90 % of the general population), I needed to do something drastic to get the results I was looking for in order to keep myself motivated. I have managed to work hard and stay determined during this challenge in my life, and allow myself to only have a cheat day once per month, which ...again, may seem extreme, but being that I started out at 390 lbs, I HAD to do something extreme to change my way of life.
As of today, June 28th, 2013, I have managed to lose 130 lbs!!!! Something that I'm very proud of and for the first time in over 13 years I'm under 300 lbs. I feel much better and healthier but have ran into some problems at this stage in my journey. As embarrassing as this is to say, with my extreme weight loss has come an extreme amount of excess skin left over from the weight loss. This may not seem like a big deal, but...truth be told, this issue is becoming unbearable and has overshadowed all of my efforts and hard work. I have been getting rashes.... BAD rashes... constantly. I now have lower back pain on a daily basis from the skin pulling on my back muscles, and also have issues sleeping because of the excess weight from the skin pushing on my diaphragm making it difficult to breathe while sleeping. I have gone back and forth with the insurance company regarding these issues and have been told multiple times..." it's just simply not a covered benefit ". Now...at a time of my life where I should be FINALLY enjoying life and that of a healthy lifestyle, I have yet another obstacle in my way...one that unfortunately I cannot conquer on my own for MULTIPLE reasons.
I have found a doctor that can do the procedures needed to remove the excess skin and tighten the associated muscles for $4500.00 and after talking to many health systems and doctors, this price is VERY reasonable and would eliminate any further issues with the above problems as described above. In other words...this procedure would be life changing and finally allow me to enjoy life as a healthy individual for the first time of my life. I feel embarrassed asking for help like this but at this point in my life, I have run out of options and feel that my friends and family would understand this situation and if possible, try to assist me in getting through this obstacle in my life. I do NOT want anyone to feel obligated by any means to have to contribute anything! But...with that being said, if anyone is able to help out monetarily in any way, even the smallest contribution at this point can get me that much closer to my life changing procedure. I appreciate any and everyone that has taken the time to read my story and thank you in advance for any help offered.
Organizer
Joe Hamm
Organizer
Flat Rock, MI
