![Main fundraiser photo](https://images.gofundme.com/UUHzogAuUHYCrpwNYX-EhEp4a8Q=/720x405/https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/49921742_1599399387616785_r.jpg)
Life saving surgery
Donation protected
Those that know me know I wouldn’t usually do something like this. I don’t ask for help, I just do. Everyone knows if you call me, I’ll be there. Happy to help, anytime. Most, also know that I have struggled with my weight for 20 years. Was discharged from the Army on medical as I could not keep my weight in check. Even with extra PT hours everyday and a strict diet.
Having tried every possible diet I could find I am now at the heaviest I have ever been. I did have moderate success with Keto but it still wasn’t enough. I’m now pushing 350#. This is of course a problem after 3 heart attacks and too many stents to count. Having extremely thick blood and not absorbing protein like I should makes it very difficult to lose weight. Even meat proteins don’t process and I end up with it in my urine, which is not good, especially for my heart
So it is with a heavy heart that I start this GoFundMe. I very recently found out that my health insurance will cover a portion of Bariatric surgery (Gastric Sleeve) to help get me to an appropriate weight again. This will help with so many of my other issues.
Insurance will cover $15k. I honestly thought that would be all if it. But after calling around, I have found that the total bill will be somewhere between $25k and $27k with all the hospital fees. I also have to cover the rest of my deductible for the year which currently sits at $2239.03. I can scrape up enough to cover the deductible, but I can’t come up with the rest.
So, sadly, I have had to try this to see if I can raise the rest of what is needed for me to have the Gastric Sleeve surgery. I am aware there are places that are cheaper, however, my insurance won’t cover any of those places so it will be completely out of pocket.
To be honest I have no expectations on this. However, I am hoping that maybe Karma can give me a hand here. I think I have touched a few lives in a positive way in my 46 years, so maybe that can come back to me as well.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this. If you can help, even $1.00, it would be greatly appreciated. Anything at all will help me get closer to my goal and closer to being able to live the rest of my life in slightly less fear of another heart attack, or struggling to get up stairs, maybe sleeping well and having less headaches. If nothing else, To be able to have more time with my amazing wife Hollie and all of my daughters, would be extraordinary.
I assure you, to me, this truly will be a life saving surgery.
Thank you all,
Jay
Organizer
Jay Raymond
Organizer
Cape Coral, FL