In August of 2020, at just 24 years old, I made one of the hardest and most important decisions of my life: I chose to fight for my health and undergo gastric bypass surgery. That decision marked the beginning of a complete 180° shift in how I live my life. At the time, I didn’t fully understand how deeply that choice would change me — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Since then, I’ve lost a total of 190 pounds and have maintained that weight loss for nearly three years. While surgery was a tool, the transformation didn’t stop there. I completely rebuilt my lifestyle — learning how to nourish my body, cooking healthier meals, prioritizing movement, and showing up for myself day after day even when it was hard. This journey required consistency, patience, and a level of self-trust I had never practiced before.

Losing 190 pounds gave me a life I once couldn’t imagine. I’ve traveled the country for hiking trips—now able to explore without constantly being out of breath. I’ve tried new hobbies like rock climbing, snowboarding, and Muay Thai. I’ve experienced the simple joy of walking into a store and buying clothes off the rack, instead of feeling limited to online-only plus-size options. My world expanded in ways that still feel surreal, with it came a sense of freedom and confidence I had never known before.

But after extreme weight loss, the reality of loose skin is something few people talk about. I’ve been left with a significant amount of excess skin that affects me both physically and emotionally. Clothes don’t fit the way they should. Certain movements and activities can be uncomfortable or distracting. The extra folds require constant attention to cleanliness to avoid painful rashes and irritation. And some days, despite how far I’ve come, my body image struggles to catch up to the transformation I’ve worked so hard for.

I am incredibly proud of what my body has done. But I also long for closure. Skin removal surgery isn’t about perfection — it’s about comfort, confidence, and finally feeling at home in the body that carried me through the hardest chapter of my life. After losing and maintaining 190 pounds, this surgery feels like the final step in honoring that work and giving myself the freedom to fully move forward.

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover skin removal surgery, regardless of medical necessity or the amount of excess skin, as it is classified as cosmetic. To remove the majority of my excess skin, I will need three procedures that are combined into one major surgery. The total estimated cost is close to $37,000, which includes surgical fees, anesthesia, and facility costs.

I have savings set aside and the option to finance part of the cost, but I can’t do this alone. I’m sharing my story with humility and vulnerability — not with expectation, but with hope. Whether you choose to donate, share this page, or simply offer kind words, please know how deeply grateful I am.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for being part for a chapter that has already changed my life in more ways than I can express.