Weight Loss Surgery for Kate

It’s with great reluctance I’ve created this Givealittle page. Reluctance with a smidge of vulnerability & a sprinkle of embarrassment. But being a firm believer in community, for better or worse, means putting your hand up if you need help. So, after many years of battling with my body’s fat tendencies I’ve decided that I want to have surgery on my stomach as a tool to help me physically achieve long term weight loss & health.

As much as I want this gastric surgery it costs a LOT of money. At least $20,000!! I’ve tried going via public health funding, accessing my Kiwisaver funds early, and taking out a massive loan but alas none have been a success. So, now it’s time to save up! The only problem is that this will take me at least a couple of years and being the impatient woman that I am, I really want to have surgery ASAP. Mostly because my life seems to be moving at warp speed, with incredible opportunities at every corner, and so my goals just seem to be getting bigger and bigger. But with my weight getting bigger and bigger I feel it’s my priority to find a solution to that first. After all, travelling the world is dampened when you can’t fit your airplane seatbelt.

Although body size has been an issue in my life since I was very young, it was after becoming sober 9 years ago that food addiction really swept me off my feet. And although I’ve done a lot of work on the inside towards healing, my outside’s just not reflecting it. This surgery won’t ‘fix’ me, and it’ll continue to be a lifelong body, mind, spirit, and soul battle but from seeing others in my life who’ve had the surgery, and after a lot of research, this could be a significant game changer. I have at least 65 years (hopefully) of living to do and if this could help me tackle the nasty curse of obesity then I’m willing to wave goodbye to 70% of my stomach, and then hopefully at least 50 kgs of chubs.

It’s true that this type of surgery is half the price if I go to Mexico or Thailand, but I think it’d be safest to have the surgery at home in NZ. A special weight loss clinic in Hamilton offer a 2 year follow up programme that includes counselling and dieticians etc which I think is a wise plan. Anyways, as much as I’d love some financial help to make this dream a reality please feel no pressure to contribute - I have so many cheerleaders in my life, and the encouragement of friendship is an asset on its own.

I’m nervous & excited to see what happens next!