Massive Leg Growth Forces Teen's 17-Hour Amputation Surgery

A brave Florida teenager has undergone a nearly 17-hour surgery to amputate her left leg, which had grown to an extraordinary 170 pounds. The 14-year-old, Jasmine Ramirez, has lived with a rare condition since age two that caused her leg to grow at an abnormal rate, eventually necessitating a wheelchair. The leg's immense size required specially tailored clothing, and her family faced the challenge of managing this uncontrolled growth.

Recently, Jasmine was hospitalized with a life-threatening infection on her leg, prompting the decision for amputation. During the extensive surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, doctors not only removed her leg but also a tumor from her abdomen. Following the procedure, her body weight dropped significantly, but she is now recovering well, according to her sister.

A fundraising campaign on GoFundMe has gathered more than $16,000 to assist with Jasmine's medical expenses and provide support for her parents and six siblings. Her family describes her as a "superhero" for her strength and courage throughout this challenging journey.