Help Overcome Final Hurdle in Weight-Loss Success

Today I celebrate 5 years of consistency, dedication, self- control and self love. 5 years ago I made the decision, after 40 1/2 years of deep depression and over eating, to put myself first and take control of my life!!!

I bet on me and successfully was able to lose a total of 146 pounds. I'm extremely proud of my daily efforts to maintain!

This inspired me to finally chase my dancing dreams! In 4 years, I have won a total of 6 first place world championship trophies/ titles, 1 third place world championship trophy/ title and 1 first place and second place U.S Open medals!

If you ever knew me as a child, athleticism was definitely not my jam. I'm so proud of what this weight-loss journey has inspired, and all those dreams of becoming a dancer finally became reality!

Last year around October, hormonal imbalances started derailing my weightloss journey. What seemed like over night I gained 42 pounds, and mostly all in my belly.

As you could imagine, this was stressful and heartbreaking, as I stayed on track with my eating and exercise habits, yet the weight kept piling on.

Fortunately I'm not one to give up, so I kept focused, kept researching and with help from my doctor I have been able to drop 27 out of those 42 pounds!

I'm still 15 pounds away from my lowest weightloss, but I haven't given up and will continue striving.

But let's be honest. 146 pounds weight loss is a lot!!! It's an entire person!!!

The amount of excess skin has been a bit of a hindrance in both my weightloss goals/ visions and in my dance journey.

I have to hide pounds of excess skin in my clothes and literally painfully tape and bind my skin to feel normal.

Today on my 5 year ketoversary, I would love to continue my weight-loss journey by finally gifting myself with skin removal surgery.

And while I tried for the last year and a half to save all the funds needed, last month my surgery coordinator presented me with extra costs that I wasn't ready for.

From extra labs,medications, creams, and binders, and excess of over 5000 was announced to me, which lead to having to change my original surgery date from October to December.

If I don't raise the funds to continue with surgery, I would have to wait until next September before I can accumulate enough PTO and sick days to be able to take a 3 week absence from work for my mandatory 6 weeks of recovery. This is the main reason I've decided to go this route.

I currently have the majority of the funds saved, but am about 6500 short, and have until the 3rd week of November to raise all the funds, or I will have to cancel my surgery plans.

This entire year I have not taken one day off from work, just to save my PTO and sick days for surgery. Even when I was sick, physically or mentally exhausted, I showed up and gave at work, (earning me a promotion in just 6 months with the company) just to save my accrued time for surgery time and recovery. I have been planning everything for over a year, and this new financial hiccup is the only thing holding my plans back.

This excess skin is uncomfortable, heavy, and gets in the way from normal activities, including something as simple as sleeping comfortably. I have to get up several times in the middle of the night to shift my skin to a more "comfortable " position in order not to be awaken with the high level pinching that results with normal movement.

And let's not even get into the deep psychological impact and body dysmorphia that I suffer daily when I see all this excess skin and the desperation of effectively hiding it.

I estimate about 15 to 20 pounds of excess skin in my arms, Tummy and breast area, that would be all removed with this procedure.

I would love to continue my weight-loss journey and finally remove this hindrance so I can ultimately continue my main dream of winning a world title in my homeland of Puerto Rico

A few people have expressed wanting to donate and help me reach my goal, so today I put myself out there and ask for any help from all the amazing people who have cheered me on for the last 5 years. Help me reach my goal and finally remove all this excess skin that holds my potential back.

If you are feeling generous and would like to send me a celebratory gift, please click the link and donate! Every little bit helps!!

Help me reach my goal so I can finally remove all this excess skin and continue on to my next step in my weight-loss and dance journey!!

I appreciate all the love and support throughout the years!!!

Happy 5 year ketoversary to me!!!

Sending you all love and hugs!

Please share!!!

Xoxo

Surgery expenses breakdown

Surgery cost $12,000

Surgery recovery package includes all the creams, binders, and surgical medication $1500

Housing for 2 weeks $1500

Labs $500

Airfare $400

Food expenses for 2 weeks approximately $300

Medical supplies for recovery $300

Mandatory Lymphatic massages $400

Total $16,900.

Need $6.500 to reach goal