Erica's Weight Loss Surgery

A big change is coming for me, and I'm making a heartfelt plea for your help. I need to have weight loss surgery, a medical procedure that my doctor has deemed medically necessary for me. I have been unable to have this costly procedure for several years because it is not covered by my insurance under any circumstance (even with medical necessity).

 

I’ve been overweight my whole life, with a long history of weight gain in my family, depression and other medical needs exacerbating a lifetime of difficulties with food and exercise. I’ve tried so many different methods of losing weight, ever since childhood, with little success. With my 40th birthday coming this year, I am undertaking this long-overdue medical goal as a gift to my future self, and as a tool to help me keep my weight under control for the rest of my life. Surgery is a step that I truly believe I can thrive with if given the chance.

 

The plan is that I will have a Gastric Bypass, hopefully this coming July. I’ll be working with a great team at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. I’m actually really looking forward to the progress I can make with this surgery to help my body. I’ve already had several appointments where I’ve learned a ton about the process and about my nutritional needs.  Many of you also know that I’ve been in physical therapy for my leg the last 6 months.  While my weight didn't cause my problems, it has exacerbated them for years.  My work in PT has shown that my body is strong! I have been setting goals and achieving them, and the next steps are to relieve pounds from my person in order to continue to strengthen and thrive… and SING!

 

My deepest passion in life is singing, but the physical act of singing has been made more difficult by my weight and my mobility after my knee injury.  I’m desperate to get back my stamina for standing on risers and moving about a stage. I want to be fully able to conduct a choir, travel for solo gigs, and to go back to the simple things I miss like walking distances, yoga classes, and maybe even (gasp) dating.

 

My budget for all of the medical costs, expenses, and pre-/post-operative care will be $23,500. This goal is lofty, but it includes the medical costs with all the trimmings: hospitalization, anesthesia, surgeon’s fee, the surgeon’s pre-op educational program (with nutrition, psychological, and testing work), pre- and post-op liquid diet supplies and vitamins, costs for items needed for my recovery, transportation, follow-up appointments, and some miscellaneous fees.

 

Can you please help me reach this goal by donating to my fundraiser?  My goal is to raise this amount by June 30, 2022 – the hospital requires that I be paid in full 2 weeks prior to my to-be-scheduled July surgery date.  I am hosting this GoFundMe fundraiser, but due to the fees associated with each donation on their site, any donation outside of this platform are greatly appreciated.  100% of donations made via Paypal, Venmo, or check will go toward my medical expenses. But you’re certainly welcome to donate directly on GoFundMe if that is simpler or more comfortable for you. All donations, regardless of how you give, will be tracked on my GoFundMe page so we can all see the thermometer go up!  Let me know if you prefer for your gift to be anonymous.

 

Any gift would be so greatly appreciated. I hope this mini essay adequately expresses the measure of my resolve to take care of myself, and why I need your help. And if you’re unable to donate right now, I will understand. Thank you for your love and support. Feel free to ask me any questions.