“LightenUpAsh: Help Fund My Weight Loss Surgery Journey"

Please Help Me Get to Turkey for Gastric Sleeve Surgery:

Hi, my name is Ashley, and I am 33 years old and currently living in Hawaii.

This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write because asking for help has never been easy for me. But the truth is, I need help. I need a chance to change my life.

For as long as I can remember, my weight has controlled every part of my life—what I can do, where I can go, and even how I see myself. I’ve spent years trying to lose weight through dieting, exercising, and pushing myself, but no matter how hard I’ve tried, it hasn’t been enough. My body is struggling, and I need medical help to take this next step. After years of battling, I’ve made the decision to undergo gastric sleeve surgery at Apera Health in Istanbul, Turkey, so I can finally reclaim my health, my independence, and my future.

Why I’m Choosing This Route

I never thought I would need surgery. I wanted to do it all on my own—I’ve tried. For almost two years, I’ve been working through the process of getting this surgery in the U.S., but insurance has made it nearly impossible. The long wait times, endless requirements, and constant setbacks have left me in the same place I started, still waiting, still struggling. I can’t afford to wait any longer.

I want to live, not just exist.

What This Surgery Means for Me

This isn’t just about losing weight—it’s about getting my life back. Right now, I live in a body that limits me in ways that people don’t always see. I depend on others for so much—things that most people take for granted. I can’t move the way I want to, I can’t travel freely, and I can’t fully experience the life I dream of.

I have such a deep hunger for independence—to take care of myself, to support my family, to be there for the people I love in ways that I can’t right now. I want to be able to live on my own, get married, have children, and build the life I know God has called me to.

I want to be the fun aunt who runs around with my nieces and nephews, not just the one organizing everything from the sidelines. I want to go on adventures, to say yes to life instead of feeling trapped in my body. I want to live a life that isn’t defined by my weight, my limitations, or my addiction to food. I want freedom.

What I Need to Make This Happen

To make this possible, I need to raise $7,000, which will cover:

• Surgery: $3,500

• Flights for me and a companion: $3,000 ($1,500 each)

• Miscellaneous expenses: $500

I know this is a big ask, but I also know that I can’t do this alone. If you feel moved to donate, share, or even just pray for me, I would be so incredibly grateful. Every bit of support, no matter how small, brings me closer to the life I know I’m meant to live.

This surgery is more than just a procedure—it’s a chance for me to start over, to break free from the things that have held me back, and to finally step into the life I’ve been dreaming of.

Thank you for your kindness, for believing in me, and for walking alongside me on this journey.

With love and gratitude,

Ashley