Help Mandy Ditch The Skin!
Donation protected
You may know me as Amanda, Mandy, or if you follow me on Instagram, @magnificentlymandy. Before I get into the "Why" of me creating a Go Fund Me page, I want to say thank you for stopping by and reading my story. If you choose to donate, even if it's just $1, know that it means the world to me and I appreciate you more than you will ever know. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a part of my journey and for your support!
I debated creating a Go Fund Me for a while. I'm not typically someone who will ask for handouts but I am in a position where I could use any help that I can get.
Why Am I Here?
Since I was a kid, I was obese. Despite being active on my school's track and volleyball teams, I struggled with my weight from a young age. As an adult, I learned in therapy that this is all tied to PTSD which I unknowingly suffered from for 15+ years. I grew up in a household where healthy food wasn't an option and it wasn't until I was a teenager that I realized that way of living was not healthy. When something is your norm, you don't see it as otherwise until it's too late. By the time I was 13 years old, I was pushing 200lbs standing at 5 feet tall.
In 2017, I made the drastic decision to undergo weight loss surgery. After years of struggling with every diet, meal plan, workout routine, and self help available, eventually I became extremely depressed and hated who I was and I hated my body. After moving forward with weight loss surgery, it was honestly the best decision I ever made for myself. I finally have a healthy relationship with food and I have learned to love who I am.
Here comes the money factor. I grew up extremely poor. Food stamps, welfare, the whole 9 yards. My mother unfortunately is disabled and my father is not in the picture so I was never blessed to have family to rely on or go to for help with money. Since I was 16 I've always worked my ass off. At 18 I got a second and third job just to support myself. I still work two jobs, I live alone and it's nearly impossible to get ahead or get a good savings going when you've been self sufficient since the day you were legally allowed to work. Any hardship, car repair, setback, I had to cover on my own. Even with the weight loss surgery, my insurance did not cover everything and had to pay out of pocket with no help.
So, here I am, 115lbs later and I'm left with massive amounts of loose skin all over my body. Yes I knew this would happen going into it, but my health was my top priority. After doing my research and going to consultations, it's going to cost about $20,000 in order for me just to look normal. Health insurance is lovely, isn't it? You make this positive change to improve your health, yet skin removal is still considered a cosmetic procedure. The skin goes beyond cosmetics. It's uncomfortable, I constantly get rashes from my skin rubbing together, the skin folds product sweat...it's just not something I would wish anyone to deal with. Do I expect to reach my goal? No. But anything and everything will help. I would love to have the skin removal by the end of 2019 so that I can live my life pain free and as a normal twenty something woman.
Give what you can, and if you can't give, I simply ask that you please share my Go Fund Me page on your social media account(s). Again, thank you so much for taking the time to read and share my story! I appreciate every single one of you!
I debated creating a Go Fund Me for a while. I'm not typically someone who will ask for handouts but I am in a position where I could use any help that I can get.
Why Am I Here?
Since I was a kid, I was obese. Despite being active on my school's track and volleyball teams, I struggled with my weight from a young age. As an adult, I learned in therapy that this is all tied to PTSD which I unknowingly suffered from for 15+ years. I grew up in a household where healthy food wasn't an option and it wasn't until I was a teenager that I realized that way of living was not healthy. When something is your norm, you don't see it as otherwise until it's too late. By the time I was 13 years old, I was pushing 200lbs standing at 5 feet tall.
In 2017, I made the drastic decision to undergo weight loss surgery. After years of struggling with every diet, meal plan, workout routine, and self help available, eventually I became extremely depressed and hated who I was and I hated my body. After moving forward with weight loss surgery, it was honestly the best decision I ever made for myself. I finally have a healthy relationship with food and I have learned to love who I am.
Here comes the money factor. I grew up extremely poor. Food stamps, welfare, the whole 9 yards. My mother unfortunately is disabled and my father is not in the picture so I was never blessed to have family to rely on or go to for help with money. Since I was 16 I've always worked my ass off. At 18 I got a second and third job just to support myself. I still work two jobs, I live alone and it's nearly impossible to get ahead or get a good savings going when you've been self sufficient since the day you were legally allowed to work. Any hardship, car repair, setback, I had to cover on my own. Even with the weight loss surgery, my insurance did not cover everything and had to pay out of pocket with no help.
So, here I am, 115lbs later and I'm left with massive amounts of loose skin all over my body. Yes I knew this would happen going into it, but my health was my top priority. After doing my research and going to consultations, it's going to cost about $20,000 in order for me just to look normal. Health insurance is lovely, isn't it? You make this positive change to improve your health, yet skin removal is still considered a cosmetic procedure. The skin goes beyond cosmetics. It's uncomfortable, I constantly get rashes from my skin rubbing together, the skin folds product sweat...it's just not something I would wish anyone to deal with. Do I expect to reach my goal? No. But anything and everything will help. I would love to have the skin removal by the end of 2019 so that I can live my life pain free and as a normal twenty something woman.
Give what you can, and if you can't give, I simply ask that you please share my Go Fund Me page on your social media account(s). Again, thank you so much for taking the time to read and share my story! I appreciate every single one of you!
Organizer
Mandy Nicole
Organizer
Buffalo, NY
