<div>Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to read my story — it truly means more than you know.
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<div>For those who don’t know me or my journey, I have struggled with my weight since childhood.
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<div>This was largely due to long-term steroid treatments, which unfortunately had a significant impact on my body.
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<div>By the age of 24, I had reached my largest size, between a UK size 28–30.
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<div>At that point, I knew I needed to make a change — not just physically, but for my overall health and wellbeing.
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<div>I went to my GP for support and was offered a gastric band. However, I made the decision to decline this, as I wanted to lose the weight myself and fully commit to a lifestyle change that I could sustain long-term.
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<div>I began educating myself about nutrition and how to maintain a calorie deficit.
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<div>I started swimming to avoid putting too much strain on my joints, and once I reached a size 22, I found the gym — and everything changed.
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<div>I started weight training and doing cardio 5–6 days a week, and I can honestly say it has transformed my life. Not only physically, but mentally as well.
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<div>The gym has truly become something I genuinely love and rely on
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<div>Today, I am a size 14 to 16 — something I once never thought would be possible.
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<div>However, my journey has also come with challenges. I now live with a significant amount of excess skin.
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<div>Because of how much I train, my skin has thinned and, at times, has split.
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<div>This is not only painful but also deeply upsetting and, at times, embarrassing.
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<div>As this began happening more frequently, my mental health started to suffer.
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<div>There are days where I struggle to look at myself in the mirror, and I find it difficult to feel comfortable or confident in my own body.
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<div>Finding clothes that fit well and make me feel even slightly confident has become a daily challenge.
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<div>For a long time, I tried to push through and focus only on how far I had come. But eventually, I knew I needed help.
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<div>I reached out to the NHS to explore options for excess skin removal.
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<div>Unfortunately, I was told that because I did not undergo weight loss surgery, I do not meet the criteria for treatment and would need to fund this myself.
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<div>This was incredibly disheartening.
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<div>With the encouragement of my friends and family, I found the courage to attend a private consultation. This was a very vulnerable experience for me, as I feel extremely self-conscious about my body.
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<div>Thankfully, the consultation was positive and reassuring. I was told that I am a suitable candidate for surgery, and that my arm lift and excess skin removal could be done in one operation.
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<div>Hearing this was overwhelming — in a hopeful way. For the first time, it felt like this could actually be possible.
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<div>However, the cost of the surgery is £18,195.
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<div>While there are cheaper options available, including going abroad, I do not feel comfortable taking that risk due to my heart condition, SVT (supraventricular tachycardia).
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<div>For my safety, it’s important that I have this procedure in a trusted environment with access to immediate medical support if needed.
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<div>The surgeon I have chosen operates from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, which gives me confidence that I will be in the safest possible hands.
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<div>This is why I am asking for your help.
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<div>Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to me and help me take this final step in my journey — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
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<div>Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and uplifted me along the way. I truly would not have made it this far without you.
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<div><br />
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<div>And to anyone reading this who I may never meet — thank you for your time, your kindness, and your support
</div>

Anton Cataldo

ALBA LOPRIENO

Chrissie Burke

Anonymous

Lauren Strong

Kirsty Barnden

Marion Parks

Bethany Barrett

Vidya Samuel

Lucy Harris

Nattalia Lewis

Eimear O Flaherty

Shirley Leen

Mels Excess Skin Removal Surgery 

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PYMK has donors

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Mels Excess Skin Removal Surgery

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