To the people who know me, love me, and those who care about the people who care about me:

My name is Micah and I’m reaching out to my community for help navigating a significant health moment in my life.

Over the past several years, I’ve been working to address a number of serious and interconnected health issues. I am currently in the process of qualifying for bariatric surgery as part of a medical plan to treat sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, hypertension, and chronic pain. These issues affect my daily life in ways that are often invisible but deeply exhausting. They make it difficult to sleep well, stay active, and move through the world with the kind of ease and stability that many people take for granted.

Like many people living in larger bodies, I’ve spent a long time trying to care for my health through lifestyle changes and increased activity. Unfortunately, those attempts have often led to a difficult cycle of injury, setbacks, and further strain on my body. The stress of poor health and the physical limitations it creates have compounded over time.

While I hold a great deal of love for my body, I also have to recognize that my current health trajectory is not sustainable. My care team and I believe that bariatric surgery will give me the best chance at interrupting this cycle and building a healthier future.

This process, however, is long and expensive, and requires preparation. Even with insurance, there are significant out-of-pocket costs for testing, appointments, the procedure itself, and the recovery period that follows. I will need to adjust to my body’s changes and how to eat and move again.

I’m asking my community for help so that I can move through this process with stability and intention rather than constant financial stress. My goal is to focus on healing, recovery, and building sustainable habits that support my long-term health.

I am aiming to raise at least $7,000 to help cover the costs associated with testing, surgery, and post-operative care. A general breakdown of anticipated expenses is below.

Thank you for your support.

M