Support Christopher's Bariatric Surgery Journey

Hello, my name is Christopher Templeton. I am 38 years old and am on a weight loss journey to overcome my morbid obesity. In 2023, I was diagnosed with gout and it affected my life in a pretty serious way. It affected my ability to walk and stand, and it was truly a terrifying moment for me. My blood sugar also started to spike for the first time in my life, and I realized that my health was declining rapidly. I have always been a heavy person, even as a child. My weight has been out of control for many years of my adult life, and I was never mentally able to deal with that, as there were so many other things that demanded my attention. In 2024, after months of mobility issues, I decided that enough was enough and it was time for a change. I took my health and weight seriously and sought mental health services as well as a new supportive doctor's office and a doctor specifically skilled with helping me to address my weight loss issues.

For years, I have attempted to battle my issues with food and weight alone, internally, keeping folks at arm's length about it. I felt like this was a deeply personal internal battle that I just had to conquer by myself, and if I couldn't, I was a failure. Meanwhile, the reality of the situation is everyone can physically see my battle and how I was failing. It turns out, both things are true; it's deeply personal and affecting everyone with emotional ties around me.

I am proud to say with the help of doctors, and family and friends, we have created a supportive environment for addressing my weight issues, and I have begun the process of shedding this weight from me. I have dedicated myself and have lost over 100 pounds and am ready to undergo bariatric surgery, but I need a bit of help with the co-payment for my insurance and a bit more for the unexpected expenses that I am sure to incur as complications arise from surgery.

For full transparency, I have a $3,000 co-pay. I am asking for the extra $1,000 to help with unexpected expenses that will arise from a myriad of issues that could come from complications from surgery or even just missing time at work.

I understand that times are hard for everyone right now, and if you can support a bit, every little bit helps. It is my goal to have surgery in June of 2025.

Thanks for reading!