Allison Fisher, 20, from Florida, was given a second chance after doctors found a massive ovarian cyst. Her health problems began in 2020 with constant stomach pain and irregular periods. Something was clearly wrong, but she put off seeing a doctor. Past experiences made her fear she’d just be told to lose weight. “I let myself believe that if I ignored it, it would go away,” she said. “I was scared.”

Over time she noticed her stomach growing. It felt “rock hard,” like she was “pregnant with 10 kids.” She couldn’t lie on her stomach and felt like her organs were being crushed. The cyst got so large it started pressing on her lungs and made breathing difficult.

Around Christmas 2022, Dr. Martin Martino at Ascension St. Vincent’s told her the cyst weighed about 100 pounds and needed immediate surgery. During the operation, doctors also found her other ovary was twisted three times. Because they could finally see it after removing the cyst, they were able to untwist it and protect her future fertility.

The surgery was successful. “I can see my feet again,” Allison said. “I feel so much lighter, like a person. I can wear clothes; I can do things normal people can do.” She’s now starting weight-loss surgery and hopes her story encourages others to seek help. “There are bigger people who are scared to go to the doctor because of their weight. I just want them to know that they shouldn’t be scared.”