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Art's Belt Lipectomy

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So first things first.. THANK YOU!! 

If you're even reading this then you want to at least hear what I have to say.  Even that means more to me then you'll ever know. 

My name is Art Monaghan. I have been on the journey for weight loss and greater health since January of 2014.  I am blessed to have lost over 275lbs and counting. This is an amazing gift. One that has come as the fruit of much labor. Many nights in the gym.. Many conversations with myself at the breakfast, lunch, and dinner table.. But I am here. I am ready to take the next step. And that is where you, my friends and supporters I am so thankful for come in. I need your help.. (that sentance took me SO MUCH to be able to say!)
I have dedicated myself to help as many people go down the same path I have and get their lives back. I don't do it for the money. I do it because it brings me great joy. But now I am reaching out to you for help. To take the next step in my journey. 

So I have met with my surgery. We had a long and elaborate discussion about my surgery and what we think is the best plan of attack for me. We changed course a little bit and have adapted our choice of specific surgery.
When I started this process I was doing it with the intent of getting a Panniculectomy. This surgery takes care of the pannus which is the large piece of skin that hangs over my lower abdomen. The surgery also includes the upper part which is a huge issue for me.
But after going over my goals with the doctor. We decided to change the choice of surgery to the Belt Lipectomy.
This surgery is exactly like it sounds. An incision is made like a "belt" all the way around my midsection. The extra skin and tissue are cut out and the remainder stretched to not only eliminate pannus issue but also the large masses of skin on my sides. This is the part that has really bothered me both physically and mentally lately.
Now to the difficult part. There is a substantial difference in cost for this surgery as compared to the Panniculectomy.
My goal is for the insurance company to cover the part of the surgery that takes care of the Panniculectomy. This will for all intents and purposes cut my costs in half. The cost of the Belt Lipectomy is $18,000.00. Yes. This is a considerable amount of money. But what is my health and wellness worth? To me there is not a number you can put on personal health
This has led to a lot of discussion. A lot of debate. And after talking it over. I have decided to go at this full steam!!!
I am going to attack this as if I am going to be paying the $18,000. And as long as insurance approves the coverage of the original surgery then all I will need to raise is the $8500. Still a considerable amount. But hopefully doable.
I cannot tell you what the support of my friends and my Phamily has meant to me. I posted the other day about a GoFundMe thinking I would be roasted by people for even considering such a thing. But someone said something to me that stuck with me. My story inspires people. And honestly. That is why I am going at this with such passion and fervor. I want to help others. I want to hear a story about year from now about someone who saw this story of mine and said. "If Art could do it. So can I." That would mean more to me then ANYTHING. More then all the nights I sat and cried to myself at 520lbs... More then the weeks of Liquid Only diet before surgery. More then the long nights and early mornings in the gym. More then any personal victory of MINE.

So.... January 11th.. That is the date. The date that all of the last four years has built up to. And I'm going to open a new chapter in life.

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Donations 

  • Ambre Dailey
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $1,000 (Offline)
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer

Art Monaghan
Organizer
Colchester, VT

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