Howdy friends!

I've had a lot of health stuff in the works. I would love to update you guys though because some of it is actually big and exciting news!

For a long time, I would say I have been "blessed," as my family would say, with a healthy amount of feminine assets. Boobs. However, in my second year of high school, my breasts became a little overwhelming. For a person my age and size, it was hard to find clothes/bras that fit, not causing friction, rashes, or other skin irritations. Everything went farther downhill when I threw out my back for the first time. The healing time was awful, and the weight I was carrying on my chest made it that much harder. That set me down the road for lots of appointments to see what we could do to fix my situation, but at the time, I was told that I was too young for something like surgery because I wasn't done growing yet, even though the tissue had completely separated from the muscle wall. It was devastating to hear because I already felt like a stranger in my skin. It was a lot mentally for somebody my age and killed my confidence along with the all-over pain I was starting to get used to on a daily basis.

Over the years, I had tried everything from exercise to diets to weird methods I found on the internet (which I don't recommend), and nothing seemed to ease the pain or slow down growth. I worked very physical jobs as well until about 5 years or so ago when I hit 23. I was in so much pain I needed a job switch and went into working a desk job! It was easier on my back, and for the first time in years, I had reliable insurance that I could use just to have doctor appointments! So, I set my plan in motion for a reduction!

It seems like a long time to set a plan in motion, but believe me when I tell you that insurance needs AMPLE proof that you have tried EVERYTHING. Which leads me to now! I finally have a surgery scheduled, and as scary as that feels, I'm also excited. I am set to go in on Feb 12th for pre-op so they can give me the full rundown of what to expect. My official operation date is on March 2nd, and post-op is March 10th. I've been told in my case, since my baseline is rather large, I'm going to have external tubing and well over 100+ stitches. Here is the part where I am asking for your help. I have been told before that insurance should cover because this is more than a cosmetic surgery for me, however, I feel like we have seen how that goes before, and I am worried about the rug being pulled out from underneath my family after all is said and done, or worse, I have to give up a surgery that I need. I have a goal of $8,000 for the surgery (covering the surgery itself and any medical needs after, like supplies or follow-up check-ins) while I am unable to function like normal for about 6 weeks (no lifting over 10 lbs or driving).

I can't say it's been easy, but I do know how appreciative I am for the people that take the time to donate, read, or even share this so that I can get closer to a relatively normal functioning life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You have no idea how much this means to me.