Juliana’s Surgery

Hello Family and Friends.

Marc and I are coming together to try to help our beautiful daughter, Juliana Viskoc, with her desired surgical plans to enhance her life and her future. As a lot of you may already know, Juliana has endured misunderstood weight issues since she was a baby. Throughout her childhood, we have attempted to help her through many doctors and prescribed remedies. However; doctors along the way were hesitant to do anything to help her because she was a child and some even blamed us parents. We knew there was something going on beyond our control that was contributing to her weight. Her brother, Jacob, did not have this issue. In fact, he is the complete opposite and Juliana noticed the difference between her and Jacob at a very young age. This led to many nights of inconsolible crying, self-comparison, and heartbreak. She knew it wasn't Jacob's fault but she still could not help wondering why this was the card she was dealt.

Juliana also loved sports and was an avid athlete; joining karate where she took 1st place in her sparring tournament, playing soccer and basketball through the city sports leagues, making the basketball team as an incoming 6th grader on a team that consisted majorly of an 8th grade roster, earning the superlative title of "Most Athletic" as an 8th grader, making Varsity Basketball as an incoming freshman in high school, joining the high school dance team, and making Varsity Track and Field as a thrower earning her way to Regionals as a beginning track and field athlete! Juliana has also ran Spartan races with family, earning her Trifecta without "training" for any of the races and being active in the gym setting since she was legally able to be on the weight floor at age of 14. Juliana has worked hard her entire life, yet she has always had a weight issue. As parents, it is incredibly frustrating to watch your child struggle when they put their heart and soul into achieving something that just is always out of reach... with doctors pointing the finger at us parents instead of wanting to dig deeper to find out that there really is a reason that her body just could not lean down.

Then, in 2018, our family as a whole unit began to suffer loss after loss. Juliana's grandmother passed away. In 2019, Juliana's grandfather passed away. In 2020, Juliana's cousin passed away from suffering from cancer for 5 years. And then in 2021, Juliana's other grandfather, her Papa, passed away. It was like a hurricane of illness and death that just wouldn't let up for 4 years in a row. This really took a toll on Juliana's emotions and the weight just packed on. Actually, the heartache and weight packed on for all of us.

In 2023, Juliana was now at her heaviest, nearing 300 pounds. Us parents were beginning to see her health decline, and frankly, were beginning to get terrified for her future. She deserved better. She has always dreamed of having a life as a mother and that was slipping away. She was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) with the possibility of losing her future of motherhood. Diabetes were right around the corner. We were worried about her overall health, blood pressure, joint pain, cardiovascular health, and mental health. Juliana decided something drastic needed to happen and said enough was enough. She was going to save herself now. At the age of 21, she made a huge decision... she made an appointment with a weight loss physician she felt was right for her. She found a local specialist that was finally going to help her. She signed up, and paid for, a gastric sleeve procedure and therapy all on her own. She told me, her mother, she didn't want to die. I cried myself to sleep that night. No mother wants to hear those words from their daughter's mouth.

In June of 2023, Juliana had her surgery. She has stated time and time again that this decision has saved her life. She also said that her family that she misses so dearly, especially her cousin Codi, would be so happy for her. She was taking charge of her life. If doctors keep telling her there isn't anything wrong except herself, and it’s all just in her head one more time, she was going to give up. Except she didn't. She found a doctor who was empathetic, kind, and understanding of her situation. She got the answers that she needed. But, since she was so overweight at that point, the weight needed to come off now. She was exhibiting scary health traits and risking health issues that could cause permanent damage.

As of today, Juliana has lost over 100 pounds and we feel like we have our bright and shining daughter back! The tears that stream now are tears of utter joy and happiness! She has such a bright future ahead of her! But, the medical part of her process in not complete. We could not be any more happier for her, with the exception of what is now needed; skin removal and body correction surgical procedures.

With significant weight loss, comes extra skin that nothing will correct except for surgery. And, of course, it's on her torso. The extra weight is, and will continue, to cause health issues with her PCOS. Even though she has earned her life back, the risk of losing her future natural motherhood is still present. She so badly wants to be a natural mother one day. Every woman who desires motherhood should have that chance. Our daughter deserves that chance. We want to make it happen for her but now we need help.

Juliana's surgical plan will cost $35, 323.89. The fund amount that is posted will help cover the cost of the fees due to Go Fund Me. IF we had this kind of money, her surgery would already be done. We need your help and would be deeply and forever grateful for anyone who is willing to help us, help our only daughter.

Any amount of donations are signficantly, and indescribably, appreciated! All funds will go directly to Juliana's surgical procedure to remove all the excess skin and body correction procedures. It is unfortunate that even though these issues are still causing medical problems, health insurances do not deem it medically necessary, but instead consider it cosmetic. Lastly, Marc and I are hoping to surprise Juliana with being able to officially book her procedure. She is NOT aware that we are attempting to raise funds for her. There are two reasons for this. One, if we cannot raise the funds, we are really trying to avoid letting her down by not being able to schedule. Two, we are really hoping to surprise her if we are able to schedule and put that giant smile on her face! So, if you are kind enough to donate, please also help us out by not letting the secret out of the bag!

Lastly, for anyone who chooses to donate… if we do not reach our goal, we will refund your donations.

We just want the very best life for our baby girl. I mean, what parent doesn't!?!

With Gratitude from the Bottom of Our Hearts,

Marc Viskoc and Katie Johnson