What started as a personal commitment to my health has become one of the hardest and most rewarding journeys of my life

I was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 lipedema, a painful and progressive condition that causes abnormal fat buildup and affects millions of women. Despite being a recognized medical condition, often times insurance classifies it as cosmetic and won’t cover treatment. That means the specialist care I need — and the excess skin removal surgery that goes along with it — falls entirely on me.

I have a wonderful doctor who has generously performed my previous skin removal surgery of the belly pro bono, I only had to pay for the hospital, anesthesia, and stay and recovery. But lipedema requires a different specialist. I’ve found a surgeon who can treat both — and that’s intentional. By combining the lipedema treatment and skin removal into one procedure, we can minimize the number of surgeries I’ll need over time. I’ve already been through one round of skin removal, and without this surgery, I’ll need several more in the future. Doing this together is the smartest, most efficient path forward — physically and financially.

As a full-time working mom, I don’t take this ask lightly. Every day I’m balancing work, my family, and a recovery journey that most people will never fully see. This surgery isn’t vanity — it’s the final chapter of something I have sacrificed and fought for, and I want to see it through.

The total cost is approximately $150,000. I’m actively pursuing a HELOC and medical loans, but the approval process is taking longer than expected — and my surgery date is approaching. I don’t want to have to cancel something I have worked this hard for.

So many of you have reached out asking to help, and I can’t help to feel so blessed by your kindness and wanting to help me get one step closer to the finish line. I am going to be honest it is so difficult for me to feel deserving of so much support ❤️‍

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.