Support the Final Step in a Weight Loss Journey

Story

Hello! I am raising money for the final step in my weight loss journey and transformation. To summarize, I have lost over 125 pounds and it shows. Although I have put in the work to lose and maintain this weight loss, I am left with excess skin that is impossible to change by any other means besides skin removal surgery. No amount of exercise or dieting can alter the damage done by decades of obesity. I am planning on several skin removal procedures to be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon affiliated with a hospital in my area. This final step, though considered "cosmetic" by insurance standards, means so much more. Many bariatric surgery patients experience a skewed perception of their body dimensions that borders on an emotional health issue. Although I am able to recognize the amazing progress and change in my physical appearance thus far, I am also still bothered by an apron belly, hanging "bat arms," and a turkey neck that is not appropriate for a woman of my age. I would like to see the results of my efforts in a way that is affirming and reflects the amount of work and dedication that I have put in. Having skin removal surgery is a means to an end in comparing myself to others and struggling to see myself as I am. Skin removal surgery is the final step in aligning my perception of self with my actual body. As silly as it may sound to someone who has not experienced it, I want to look at myself and see me as I am: a size 4 woman. As it is now, I see skin that looks like fat. Your support will also help with lost wages during recovery. It is a very likely possibility that a majority of my recovery time will be unpaid. My job would be protected under FMLA but likely to be denied for short term disability because it is not a covered procedure with my insurance. The Journey So Far: My weight loss journey had to begin somewhere. If I had to pick a start, it would be the end of July 2023. This is when I had my first appointment with the weight management program that I completed before my bariatric surgery. At this time, I was 270 lbs with a BMI of 46. At this office visit, we discussed the benefits and risks of bariatric surgery with options of gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, and I elected to proceed with the program with a plan to have a gastric bypass. The bariatric surgery program included visits with a dietician, education about the post-op bariatric diet and required vitamin regimen, and an app to begin tracking food choices that was connected to and monitored by my bariatric team. Between the end of July and my surgery date, I was to use the app to track all of my food and practice my new bariatric diet. Through a combination of regular exercise and carefully measured and tracked calorie consumption, I was able to lose approximately 37-40 pounds prior to my surgery on Nov 30, 2023. My gastric bypass was completed and recovery went smoothly. I had zero complications and continued to achieve steady weight loss of 10 to 15 pounds per month. I was looking forward to crossing below the 200-pound threshold, which I had not been below in at least 20+ years. I was also cautiously optimistic about reaching 170 pounds as losing more than 100 pounds felt to me like another major accomplishment. On Jan 20, 2024, I achieved my first goal of being below 200 pounds. On May 11, 2024, I met my second goal of 100-pound weight loss. It was at this time that I decided that I could "go big or go home" with my weight loss. There was a real possibility of being under 150 pounds! This seemed too good to be true, but at the same time, another 20-25 pounds seemed doable. The pace of weight loss started to decrease at this point, which my surgeon explained was normal and expected. I decided that I really wanted to get to a normal healthy weight by BMI standard at this time. This set a new goal of 145 pounds. As of today (Oct 27, 2024) I am at 142. I have now surpassed my goal of losing 100% of my excess weight. In December, I have my 1-year post-op appointment and plan to get a referral for plastic surgery at that time. I have a surgeon in mind but will wait to see if my bariatric team has any other recommendations. Or maybe they will name-drop the surgeon I already have in mind? For reference/brownie points, the average expected weight loss after gastric bypass is approximately 70% of excess weight. The procedures that I am potentially interested in are: - Mini face lift to correct turkey neck - 360 body lift vs fleur de lis tummy tuck to correct apron belly/ extra abdominal skin - Extended arm lift to correct excess skin from armpit area to below the elbow - Breast reduction/lift - Fat transfer from belly to butt? Not open for consideration: -Panniculectomy (does not address above belly button) - Full face lift - Breast implants - Thigh lift (purely for financial reasons this would be my lowest priority) More updates to come after December. The amount of work I am interested in may require plastic surgery in 2 or 3 steps depending on the surgeon's recommendation for safety and recovery and also depending on cost. Ideally, I would like to minimize my anesthesia events. My plan to fund this work is to use a small percentage that I have available in HSA and the remainder will be paid via Care Credit or similar funding option. These cards are usually interest free for a set amount of time, and then a high interest rate applies if it is not paid off in the agreed upon time frame. Thank you for reading and I truly appreciate any assistance you are able to provide if you have the means and desire to do so. I understand it is a lot to ask for elective procedures but this is something that will be life changing. Thanks March update: Weight still stable between 138-145 most days 142. I am booked for an extended brachioplasty and mastopexy on Sept 23. I have paid my deposit and the balance due in Sept is $10,445.