Help me complete my weight-loss journey

Hi, my name is Stephen, and I’m reaching out for your support as I take the next big step in my journey towards a body I can finally feel comfortable in.

For the better part of 20 years, I struggled with an undiagnosed binge eating disorder. It wasn’t until late 2022 that I truly recognised the impact it had on my life, both physically and mentally. That realisation led me to make one of the hardest but most necessary decisions—I underwent bariatric surgery in May 2023 in Lithuania. Since then, I’ve lost a significant amount of weight, and while that should feel like a victory, the reality is far more complicated.

The truth is, I am now struggling with a new challenge: the excess skin left behind. My stomach, chest, arms, back, thighs, and even my chin—everything sags. Instead of feeling proud of how far I’ve come, I find myself hating my body in a new way. The mental battle of weight loss doesn’t end when the weight is gone. It continues when you’re left looking in the mirror and seeing a body that still doesn’t feel like yours.

This is why I need your help. My journey is not over, and I didn’t come this far to stop now. Skin removal surgery is the final piece of this transformation, but it’s an expensive process. Because it cannot all be done at once, I will need to make multiple trips to Lithuania for different stages of surgery and I need your help with the first phase.

The First Stage – What I Need Done

My primary focus right now is a 360-degree Fleur-de-Lis (FDL) abdominoplasty, a specialized tummy tuck that removes excess skin both horizontally and vertically to achieve a more contoured shape.

I also need:

• Gynecomastia surgery & upper body lift – To remove excess skin from my chest and the upper sides of my body, including the area under my armpits.

• Brachioplasty – Also known as an arm lift, to remove the loose skin from my upper arms (often referred to as “bat wings”).

This first stage alone will cost over €12,000. This includes surgical fees and travel expenses.

How You Can Help

If you are in a position to donate, no matter how small, I would be incredibly grateful. Every euro brings me closer to completing this journey and finally feeling comfortable in my own skin—literally.

If you can’t donate, please share this page. Getting the word out is just as important as financial support.

I never imagined I’d be asking for help like this, but I also never imagined how much this journey would change my life. I am determined to see it through to the end, and with your support, I know I can get there.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Steve

Follow my journey on instagram @rebuildingsteve