Help Ryan 'Tuck' into this Future

Helllooooo! Oh, how I've contemplated starting a Go Fund Page for so long; it is so out of character for me to ask for help as I spend so much of my time supporting others! But alas, here we are. I've been convinced to be a little selfish for once and ask for some support.

First things first, especially for those that don't know me, here is an insight into who I am, how and why I am here now, half the size I used to be (150lbs less) and asking for you to help fund my Fleur-de-lis (FDL) Tummy Tuck surgery.

My entire youth and young adult life, I have spent morbidly obese, battling depression, severe anxiety and soul-destroying voices. I had deemed myself unlovable and resided to the idea that I would spend the remainder of my life alone. I convinced everyone that I didn't want children and that I hated the world, however, the honest truth was that I hated how I felt about myself and that a future with a family and a child of my own was all I truly wanted.

Ruby, my niece. She came into my world and soon became one of my best friends. The love I felt for her ignited a spark, a flame that continued to burn brighter, a simple thought. What if I was capable of being loved? How amazing it would feel to have a child I can call my own. Ruby made me believe I could have a future; all I needed to do was change. She might not know it yet, but she saved my life.

Fast forward a year and a half, a challenging, rewarding, motivating chapter of my life. I changed my relationship with food, learnt the importance of the support of others and embraced fitness. I naturally lost almost half of my body weight and beat all my mental health demons.

It's phenomenal the effect weight loss has on our physical and mental health. My confidence made me unrecognisable compared to the person I once was, and with that newly found confidence, I met Aimee.

Both with a background in weight loss, we continue to support our new life together, and around 18 months ago, we decided to start a family; my dreams were coming true. However, things didn't quite go as we'd hoped.

Long story short, after spending a year of many tests and appointments, Aimee and I have been told that we will be unable to have a baby together due to fertility complications on both parts. Devastated and supporting one another to deal with these emotions, we have decided it is about time to be a little selfish. We both work in the community, in the care industry and to support others to lose weight.

Weight loss also comes with complications, and despite being the happiest in my body that I have ever been, I am still not happy with my body image.

I have been left with a lot of loose skin, especially around my stomach, which my mother calls the envelope pouch, haha!

It would mean the absolute world to me to complete my journey, having a flat tummy for the first time in my entire life.

With your support, I can raise enough money to fly abroad and safely have an FDL tummy tuck operation. I have had x2 consultations with some fantastic clinics and have a plan to, hopefully, undergo surgery within the next year, giving me time to heal before starting my training to follow my childhood dream of becoming an on-call fireman.

The surgery is expensive, and with the complications we've had with health, I will be unable to generate enough funds for a long time.

Any donation will be appreciated more than you will ever know, and I can't thank you enough! If you can not donate, then that's absolutely okay; I appreciate your interest in my journey and would ask if you could please share my story and this Go Fund Me on social media! Thank you all so much!

Additionally: I have been on TV twice to share my journey and learn more about the surgery. The has allowed me to be sure that the decision to go under the knife is the right thing for me to do. These shows are: Plastic Surgery Undressed - BBC iPlayer and Send Nudes Body SOS - All 4

Instagram - Southendslimmer