- C
I'm raising funds to afford bariatric surgery. My job's benefits exclude it, and without it, I'm fearful I'm going to end up permanently hospitalized. I have been campaigning for 2 years within my company for changes to our health plan to provide coverage so I can reclaim my health to no avail. At this point, my health has continued to deteriorate, and I'm now increasingly unable to do daily tasks.
Recently, in April of 2024, I was hospitalized (the second time in my life) for cellulitis, an infection between layers of the skin. I was treated and a week later discharged. This is when I decided I was no longer able to abide my weight being what it is and have completely dedicated myself to work to lose weight.
Things I've been doing since April of last year:
- Continued therapy and psychological visits to address mental health (past traumas, eating disorders, etc.)
- Have seen both OT to address my lymphedema to better assist in exercise and general mobility
- Worked with the bariatric program through Hartford Healthcare and seen many specialties to get cleared for surgery (Ongoing)
- Working with a dietician to help develop a meal plan.
I have about $2,000 saved at the moment, but the overall estimate for surgery is somewhere around 17-20 thousand depending on the type of stay.