Brianna's Post-Weightloss Skin Removal
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Gloria Bowyer and I've created this fundraiser page for my daughter Brianna. Those that know me know that I don't ask for help easily, and that we have exhausted other options. You also know that I keep my personal life out of social media.
Brianna's weight gain started at the age of two. Like many of us Bri is an emotional eater, however, that is paired with anxiety and OCD. All of this while being brutally bullied and fat shamed in both elementary and high school. Too many people write off obesity as poor habits and neglect. Fat shaming is everywhere. As a parent, who also emotionally eats and has clinical anxiety, you would think I would understand and deal with it correctly. I didn't. And I did a LOT wrong over all the years she just kept gaining, until she was 280lbs and 22. I'll never forget the day she came to me and said "Mom, I don't want to die never knowing how it feels to be happy and healthy and to be confident in my own body." So it began and it was so exciting. It was so healthy. She only ate healthy and whole foods, and excercised like crazy. We cooked healthy meals together and celebrated each time she moved on to a smaller size or could do double the workout. Then after 10 months of hard, and I mean hard work, she hit her loss goal of 140 lbs and was the healthiest she had ever been. In her mind it was supposed to make her happy. It was supposed to take away the anxiety and sadness and all those years of bullying. It didn't. There was so much we weren't prepared for. Because her weight gain started so early, her body had to adapt as well as grow. The effects of this didn't show until the weight started coming off. Her doctor was heavily involved. Then there was the SKIN. Even though she is young, that kind of skin doesn't go away. Doing all that work, just to be able to pull your belly button to your chin is a hard reality. This is where set in depression and eating disorders due to body dysmorphia, and Bri admitting herself to Dube Centre for Mental Health. There aren't words for how proud I am of her. To have the will and strength to do that. There we finally got the help and tools necessary to deal with the mental side of the issue. It's been a long journey, and one that isn't over. We were told that after a 100 lb loss, and maintaining that for two years could mean possible government funding for skin removal. After two years of anticipating this, she finally got her appointment. OMG she was excited. Just to be told there is now zero funding and it will cost close to $20,000. She needs to put $1,000 down right away to hold that price for six months. After that she goes back on a two year wait list to get a new consult. We just do not have the means for that.
We are hoping this is where our friends, family, and you wonderful people out there who stood beside her physically or virtually on this journey, can help us just a little bit more. You have all done so much already and I am so grateful every day for you. If you could please donate, even a small amount is one step closer, and share, share, share.
This is a day in Brianna's life with her skin in her words;
"I use my daily shower to spend a half hour or more in the shower washing under and around all my excess skin. Even with daily showers there is a smell. Shaving is hell because none of my skin is smooth or tight. To shave my armpits without cutting myself multiple times is a process I choose to deal with once a week at most. Once clean I have to carefully dry ALL parts of my body. If I leave any moisture in the spots where my skin meets and can't naturally dry, I can end up with fungal infections. This has happened multiple times in my belly button area. It is itchy and painful. I have frequently required ointments and bandages for the sores I get on my underside of the belly skin. Every time I get dressed I have to take the time to tuck and smooth all of my skin into my clothing so that it doesn't get pinched and pulled as I move throughout the day. When I run or exercise I can hear my skin connecting with other loose skin. I call it "my body clapping for me" when I joke, but at the end of the day it is very embarrassing. I would give anything to finish my weight loss journey by having it removed."
Brianna's weight gain started at the age of two. Like many of us Bri is an emotional eater, however, that is paired with anxiety and OCD. All of this while being brutally bullied and fat shamed in both elementary and high school. Too many people write off obesity as poor habits and neglect. Fat shaming is everywhere. As a parent, who also emotionally eats and has clinical anxiety, you would think I would understand and deal with it correctly. I didn't. And I did a LOT wrong over all the years she just kept gaining, until she was 280lbs and 22. I'll never forget the day she came to me and said "Mom, I don't want to die never knowing how it feels to be happy and healthy and to be confident in my own body." So it began and it was so exciting. It was so healthy. She only ate healthy and whole foods, and excercised like crazy. We cooked healthy meals together and celebrated each time she moved on to a smaller size or could do double the workout. Then after 10 months of hard, and I mean hard work, she hit her loss goal of 140 lbs and was the healthiest she had ever been. In her mind it was supposed to make her happy. It was supposed to take away the anxiety and sadness and all those years of bullying. It didn't. There was so much we weren't prepared for. Because her weight gain started so early, her body had to adapt as well as grow. The effects of this didn't show until the weight started coming off. Her doctor was heavily involved. Then there was the SKIN. Even though she is young, that kind of skin doesn't go away. Doing all that work, just to be able to pull your belly button to your chin is a hard reality. This is where set in depression and eating disorders due to body dysmorphia, and Bri admitting herself to Dube Centre for Mental Health. There aren't words for how proud I am of her. To have the will and strength to do that. There we finally got the help and tools necessary to deal with the mental side of the issue. It's been a long journey, and one that isn't over. We were told that after a 100 lb loss, and maintaining that for two years could mean possible government funding for skin removal. After two years of anticipating this, she finally got her appointment. OMG she was excited. Just to be told there is now zero funding and it will cost close to $20,000. She needs to put $1,000 down right away to hold that price for six months. After that she goes back on a two year wait list to get a new consult. We just do not have the means for that.
We are hoping this is where our friends, family, and you wonderful people out there who stood beside her physically or virtually on this journey, can help us just a little bit more. You have all done so much already and I am so grateful every day for you. If you could please donate, even a small amount is one step closer, and share, share, share.
This is a day in Brianna's life with her skin in her words;
"I use my daily shower to spend a half hour or more in the shower washing under and around all my excess skin. Even with daily showers there is a smell. Shaving is hell because none of my skin is smooth or tight. To shave my armpits without cutting myself multiple times is a process I choose to deal with once a week at most. Once clean I have to carefully dry ALL parts of my body. If I leave any moisture in the spots where my skin meets and can't naturally dry, I can end up with fungal infections. This has happened multiple times in my belly button area. It is itchy and painful. I have frequently required ointments and bandages for the sores I get on my underside of the belly skin. Every time I get dressed I have to take the time to tuck and smooth all of my skin into my clothing so that it doesn't get pinched and pulled as I move throughout the day. When I run or exercise I can hear my skin connecting with other loose skin. I call it "my body clapping for me" when I joke, but at the end of the day it is very embarrassing. I would give anything to finish my weight loss journey by having it removed."
Organizer and beneficiary
Gloria Bowyer
Organizer
Saskatoon, SK
Brianna Bowyer
Beneficiary