Help Alisa Carter Shed Her Skin

This story is about my dear friend, Alisa, one of the first people I met in college.  She lived in the room next door.  On move-in day her dad came over to borrow some tools.  He went back and told Alisa, "You need to know that girl.  Her family lives nearby and they have all the tools."  Sure enough we became fast friends. I learned early on that Alisa has always struggled with her weight.  Anyone who knows Alisa would tell
you she’s beautiful inside and out.

After graduating Alisa decided to continue on to grad school to peruse her counseling degree.  Alisa’s father was a tremendous presence in her life and was one of her biggest cheerleaders. In 2001 Alisa’s father passed due to complications from a long standing illness. His death impacted her greatly. Following his death she gained the most significant amount of weight.  Alisa found herself using poor coping strategies which in turn  led to her weight spiraling out of control.

In 2004, she made a well thought out and educated decision to have gastric bypass surgery.  She told us that gastric bypass was not the answer nor was it the solution with weight loss. Instead it was a tool.   She said, "As long as I take care of the tool I will be successful.  I’m not perfect, but I try to do what I should in order to be successful." That is what I mean by her determined spirit!

After the surgery she kept up a healthy lifestyle and things started getting exciting.  She started a counseling career, got married in October 2006, and had three spirited and fun kids of her own in June 2008,  November 2010, and May 2013.

Then life took a turn.  Unable to lose her baby weight completely, despite working out regularly, in 2016 doctors discovered a complication from the previous surgery. The complication was due to the way they left her organs inside of her during the  2004 surgery.  She was unaware of this possible complication.  She just thought she had done something wrong causing her to not be able to lose weight. Alisa underwent corrective surgery at which point she has been able to lose all baby weight and has kept the weight off ever since.

Alisa has done very well with few complications. She has adhered to basic rules (ie no carbonation) She has not had a soda or carbonated beverage since 2004.  She lives an active lifestyle, enjoys working out regularly both at the gym and on her own.  Alisa surrounds herself with a support system consisting of individuals that support her healthy choices and remind her of what is important. Overall, Alisa has lost a total of 135 lbs since 2004 and successfully kept the weight off, which is not always the case with individuals that have undergone gastric bypass.

After having the surgery she was told that she would need to have skin removal surgery  in order to complete the process.  Recently, doctor’s have told Alisa her excess skin may weigh anywhere between 20 to 30 lbs. The extra burden this weight puts on her joints and heart have taken a toll.  Skin removal surgery is extremely painful, and recovery takes a long time.  She has been fearful of the process and put everyone else ahead of her these last 15 years. 

 Alisa exudes self confidence, has a huge personality, and is never afraid of challenge.  She is the one who is never afraid to tell you what you needed to hear in a motivating way,  always has your back,  makes you feel like family and to be sure a good time is always had when she is with you.  

Taking everything into account Alisa is ready to move forward. Finally, she has decided to go through with the surgery with the support of her husband, extended family, and friends. She has scheduled her surgery for the last week in December 2019. Not as a cosmetic fix but instead to help her to get rid of her body dysmorphia. 
She does not see herself as others see her.  People are so complimentary of Alisa and her success; however, she just doesn’t see this.

Recently she shared with her friends, "I have to look at my before pictures to remind me of how far I have come. When I get undressed I continue to see the old me. The loss skin and the hanging skin which covers up the new me supersede everything else. It would  be easy to slip in to my old ways. But I look at my kids and remind myself they need me and I have come so far. By having this surgery I will finally be able to see 100% of me. The person on the inside will finally be able to match the person on the outside.

Please join us in helping Alisa cover these costs. It is our goal to show her our support by helping however we can to alleviate this financial burden, $20,000. Insurance will not cover Alisa’s surgery. Unfortunately, insurance companies deem skin removal surgery as a cosmetic procedure, rather than the next step in the process of assisting people move forward with their lives.