Help Desiree get through her post-op recovery

Hi! I’m Desiree and I never ask for help. I hate asking for help. I would rather rip off my own arms than ask for help. But now, now I’m asking for help. I have worked too hard not to ask for help.

A little over 3 years I had weightloss surgery. At my heaviest I was 417 pounds. I was 386 pounds at the time of my surgery. In total I have lost around 207 pounds. My weightloss surgery said they expect their patients to lose between 30 and 50% of their excess weight. I have lost 91% of my excess weight. This has resulted in an excess amount of skin all over. The skin is heavy and uncomfortable as well as causes rashes everywhere. I also have mild arthritis in my back from carrying the weight of my breast. On top of all the physical pain from the weightless I also struggle with body image issues. The skin is so loose and ugly, nothing fits, I can’t find bras to hold me in, it’s just miserable. I’m miserable.

On May 9th 2024 I’ll be having surgery again. This time I’ll be having a breast reduction and lift along with a panniculectomy. The panniculectomy will remove the excess skin around my stomach where the majority of my rashes come from.

I have worked too hard not to get this surgery. I will be out of work for 4-6 weeks. Recovery is 8 weeks. I only have 40 hours of vacation time to help cover me when while I’m out of work. I will need help paying bills, buying groceries, childcare, etc. I’ll also need help getting kids to and from school as well as help with my 16 month old as I won’t be able to lift her.

Thank you for reading all of this, if you can help, thank you, that is amazing. If you can’t, please send me all the love and well wishes and share this.

Honestly, it is so embarrassing to have to come to the internet, to my friends, social media, and ask for help, but I need this more than I have ever needed anything.

Thank you!