Hello guys. I am in desperate need of plastic surgery at this time. Right before Covid-19 I had gone through a year long weight lose program for The Bariactric Sleeve procedure. As I prayed and did everything required to get approved for the weight lost surgery which took the span of one year, at which time your bariactric surgeon/physican still had to say whether or not you were a good candidate to receive the procedure; basing it off of how committed you were to criteria). After a year of fulfilling all of the requirements of the pre-op Bariactric Sleeve Surgery I was approved. I felt as if I had another chance at health and wellness, as I had truly let myself go, no exercise, not eating healthy , was doing what's called emotionally eating due to what I know now was years of depression/anxiety. An awful lot of us don't realize that. It's what those of us tend to do, looking for comfort and fulfillment in something, trying to suppress undealt with, pain and emotions. Some of us turn to other vices like drugs/alcohol or get dependent on prescription drugs. I was in a fog for years and constantly self medicating with food. Going on through life without realizing the issues I was causing for myself with the temporary satisfaction the food filled with calories gave me. It became my vice of choice. Many of us feel as if, if we are not turning to drugs or alcohol we are good and shame on the ones that do. But we are no better because like their habit, is also comforting to them. Unhealthy eating habits has become a silent killer in America. We are self medicating with food, not being mindful of problems that the weight gain will bring. Various illnesses. Fast forward before entering the program I tried many other programs to lose the weight once I woke up and realized 306 lbs., several prescriptions for all the diagnosis that arrived because of the weight gain later. It's like now I'm not going through an emotional turmoil because now im being diagnosed as morbid obese. That was a rude awaking. A light came on. I was a hair dresser for many years, and had enrolled in school as a full-time online student in Psychology. Which is what helped me realize you in a very unhealthy position. How can you be a help to others. It forced me to look into my self and be ready to accept what i saw and put the work in to fix it. I tried so many different ways to get the
weight off myself, however, ended up losing not more that 23 lbs. and would put that back on and more. I desperately needed help and a second chance to live a quality and healthy lifestyle. I had heard about the weight loss surgery however there was quite a bite of stigma and negativity surrounding the things that I was hearing. So I began to research and read about different options for myself. Reluctantly, I finally made the decision to go in for a consultation with a doctor that I had found online that was included in all the research that I had done. I'm won't lie I was very much afraid but I know at this point, I needed to somehow get my life back on track which included self care; including getting the weight off. I wasn't looking for an easy way around this, I knew it would be very challenging but I found the courage and determination after the consultation, deciding to enter in to the year long program for the bariactric sleeve. None of it was easy, with my life already very hectic with a full time school schedule and still running my beauty business I still don't know how I managed to also fit this weight loss program in. At that time it was strict and very demanding. I was told that I wouldn't make it. I also was alone in it because I didn't want to be talked out of it. So no one ever knew until the week before it was to happen. It really helps to have support. A lot of support. The long and short of it is that after the year of different things that had to be done by me, I was approved for the surgery and was scheduled for it right before the Covid-19 Pandemic. They have to see if you're committed to yourself before they are motivated to assist you. So 128 lbs. lost, today (took about a year and some change to lose that). I am now happy and have totally changed my life around to a more healthy lifestyle. I am now also in a much better place and mentally. Today I am off all medications, have kept the weight off by changing my entire concept of unhealthy eating habits determined to take advantage of this second chance that I've been given for a quality way of life. I graduated with a Masters Degree in Psychology and am impacting lives everyday. I feel as though I am even more affective because of my personal journey. However, I never factored in the skin that is left after the weight loss surgery due to the excessive weight loss so quickly. There is no amount of exercise that can get rid of it. I never factored it in because i felt as though that was for people much bigger than I was. I never thought that would be an issue for me or just a bit naive about that part of the process. So that is what brings me here. The excess skin is there and is causing minor issues that I've been made aware will eventually cause other major issues. My doctor referred me to a reputable plastic surgeon and my insurance has agreed to help but with very little of the cost. I was told plastic surgery is not covered under insurances. So, I need a hand up guys, not a hand out with this. I am also contributing but I know I don't have the money needed and not able to even borrow it at this time. Through my journey I have been taught that if you need help it's ok to ask; say you need help. So here I am. I have exhausted every other option. I was reminded many years ago, I came on here once for a mission trip that I did through my church to Nashik, India and my life was also impacted on that journey (another story). I need the surgery yesterday guys but have not been able to raise my part as of yet. Thank you for whatever you can give to help me. There are truly some beautiful people in the world that want to help but people allow themselves to suffer in silence. That will never be me again. Here I am. Asking for whatever you can do no matter how big or small. I will be grateful, and gracefully indebted to you.
