Dear Friends,

On September 16th I entered Lenox Hill hospital to have a series of test done to prepare for a procedure to help me regain the life I once lived and enjoyed. I was a viable candidate for a restrictive operation known as gastric sleeve surgery. Its purpose is to make the stomach smaller and aid in weight loss. With a smaller stomach, you will feel full a lot quicker than you are used to. This means that you will need to make big lifelong changes in how you eat—including smaller portion sizes and different foods—in order to lose weight. This surgery is part of a larger approach to weight loss and is done in several steps. I successfully completed step one and has since been moved to Brookhaven Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Far Rockaway. The facility offers a bariatric wellness program designed to assist overweight residents in achieving their goal of weight loss, rehabilitation, and eventual return to independent living. The next step of the procedure will take place after I have reached a targeted weight loss.

My medical insurance only allows me a maximum stay of thirty days in the facility. Thereafter, I will be responsible for the cost. The goal of this page is to increase awareness of obesity and to continue my progress by raising the amount of $5000 to help cover the completion of my first stage in the program which requires an additional 6 months here at Brookhaven. These funds will cover the cost of my stay here to help me be rehabilitated, recovered and eventually return home. I have lost a total of 52 pounds from a beginning weight of 686 pounds since first being admitted to the hospital and can already see the positive changes from the services I am receiving here at Brookhaven. I am receiving physical and occupational therapy to promote my recovery and independence. I am overcoming fears I have held for years by exercising both my body and mind with the valuable resources of the inclusive rehabilitation. I know I will continue to overcome obstacles.

I am reaching out to you to ask you for your support for my continued progress.

Please consider contributing to my cause as I am both determined and encouraged to reaching my goal and regaining my life. Then determine how much you will pledge to help sponsor me in this life changing endeavor. You can make your pledge directly by contacting me on Facebook or the email below.

Please help me reach my goal by giving whatever you can contribute.

Sincerely,

Michael P. McNeill

347-984-1608

MikesWeightLossJourney@yahoo.com