January 30, 2015
Teen Who Shed 208 lbs Reveals Plan For Surgery To Remove Her Excess Skin
Kaitlyn Smith, 19, once weighed 414lbs and says her weight loss has changed her 'emotionally and spiritually'
The Portland teen previously considered gastric bypass, but instead lost weight with the help of a local health coach
Kaitlyn tried to raise money for skin-removal surgery but after hearing her story, a Miami-based plastic surgeon has offered to perform $50,000 of procedures for free.
A teenager who weighed 414lbs has revealed how she lost half of her body weight through diet and exercise alone.
Kaitlyn Smith, 19, from Portland, Oregon, shared on her website that she previously considered gastric bypass surgery, but eventually shed 208lbs with the guidance of a local health coach.
Now, as part of her physical transformation, Kaitlyn plans to undergo a series of surgeries to remove the excess skin on her body.
'There is only one thing holding me back… the excess skin,' she wrote on the page.
She explained that although her doctor found the skin-removal procedures 'medically necessary' because the excess flesh caused infections, back pain and pinching, her insurance provider deemed it 'cosmetic' and refused to cover the cost.
'Since I am still so young, I just want to feel beautiful in my own skin,' Kaitlyn added. 'I've come so far and proven to myself and others that it can be done.'
But on hearing her story, Miami-based plastic surgeon Dr Michael Salzhauer offered to perform the procedures for free
'I had to learn to love myself again, and I'm more confident now.
The teen, who has raised over $7,000 in six months, will now use the money to pay for her travel expenses in Miami, where she will have to fly to and stay for two weeks after each of her three surgeries. Her first procedure with Dr Salzhauer is scheduled for February 19.
Only a few years ago, Kaitlyn dreaded going out in public because of her size and often hid in her house. After battling obesity for most of her life, she began preparing to undergo gastric bypass surgery in 2012.
'The doctor was rude, and basically told me I would never look normal,' she told The Portland Leader of starting the process. 'I left crying and my parents left furious. I was really down, and scared about it all.'
Kaitlyn's mother Kim Smith eventually contacted Portland health coach and trainer Kina Wald.
'Honestly, I was scared at first,' Kaitlyn recalled. 'I thought she was going to be like a drill sergeant yelling at me. I had tried so many different things - so many different diets. I thought there was no point.'
H/T: TheDailyMail
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A teenager who weighed 414lbs has revealed how she lost half of her body weight through diet and exercise alone.
Kaitlyn Smith, 19, from Portland, Oregon, shared on her website that she previously considered gastric bypass surgery, but eventually shed 208lbs with the guidance of a local health coach.
Now, as part of her physical transformation, Kaitlyn plans to undergo a series of surgeries to remove the excess skin on her body.
'There is only one thing holding me back… the excess skin,' she wrote on the page.
She explained that although her doctor found the skin-removal procedures 'medically necessary' because the excess flesh caused infections, back pain and pinching, her insurance provider deemed it 'cosmetic' and refused to cover the cost.
'Since I am still so young, I just want to feel beautiful in my own skin,' Kaitlyn added. 'I've come so far and proven to myself and others that it can be done.'
But on hearing her story, Miami-based plastic surgeon Dr Michael Salzhauer offered to perform the procedures for free
'I had to learn to love myself again, and I'm more confident now.
The teen, who has raised over $7,000 in six months, will now use the money to pay for her travel expenses in Miami, where she will have to fly to and stay for two weeks after each of her three surgeries. Her first procedure with Dr Salzhauer is scheduled for February 19.
Only a few years ago, Kaitlyn dreaded going out in public because of her size and often hid in her house. After battling obesity for most of her life, she began preparing to undergo gastric bypass surgery in 2012.
'The doctor was rude, and basically told me I would never look normal,' she told The Portland Leader of starting the process. 'I left crying and my parents left furious. I was really down, and scared about it all.'
Kaitlyn's mother Kim Smith eventually contacted Portland health coach and trainer Kina Wald.
'Honestly, I was scared at first,' Kaitlyn recalled. 'I thought she was going to be like a drill sergeant yelling at me. I had tried so many different things - so many different diets. I thought there was no point.'
H/T: TheDailyMail
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