Last week, CrowdfundInsider shared details about Tennessee teenager Kaitlyn Smith launching a crowdfunding on GoFundMe to raise funds for her upcoming skin surgery. Smith weighed 414lbs and was seeking the help of doctors for a gastric bypass surgery so she may lose the unhealthy pounds she acquired over the years.
Upon an unfortunate meeting with one doctor about the surgery, Smith decided that she was going to take matters into her own hands and fight her battle with obesity the old fashion way – with diet and exercise. Over the past two years, the teenager has lost 207lbs and is continuing to stick with her healthy regime and exercising. During a recent interview with People magazine, she stated, “I felt like a burden to my family. I had given up. [My beachbody coach] taught me how to eat healthy and how to exercise. I made no excuses. I work out hard.”
But she is now struggling with the excess skin that has been left behind and now is now seeking to raise $30,000 on GoFundMe for a surgery that will remove the unhealthy skin for good. While her campaign has attracted many supporters, Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer has announced he is willing to perform her surgeries pro bono.
Salzhauer told People, “It was late in the afternoon on Christmas, and my sister sent me a text message saying I should check out this story on PEOPLE. It really resonated with me. I do this type of pro bono thing at least once or twice a year, so I’m always looking for deserving and inspired people. [Smith] for sure fits the bill. It’s a tremendous accomplishment for anybody to lose 200lbs – especially the way she did it, with diet and exercise.”
The media outlet reports that Smith’s first surgery for her chest and stomach is scheduled for February 19th and will take place in Miami. The next procedure will be on her arms and legs, and the third will be on her back. Salzhauer stated that the recovery time between each surgery can be as short as four weeks, but more than likely it’ll be six to eight.
Salzhauer also revealed that he’d like her to lose a little more weight before he begins the process and prefers that his parents have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 32, which Smith is currently at 34. He then added,”Overall, I am so excited for her. It’s the reason I went to medical school and become a plastic surgeon. It’s a life-changer, and I am happy to do it.”
In regards to what her campaign’s funds will go towards, Smith said, “The money I am raising and have raised will go to my living and travel expenses while I’m in Miami. I’ll have to take three trips.”
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