A 14-year-old Florida girl has undergone a complex, nearly 17-hour surgical procedure to amputate her left leg, which had grown to an extraordinary 170 pounds due to an extremely rare, unnamed medical condition. Jasmine Ramirez, from the Tampa Bay area, endured the life-altering operation at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg following a severe, antibiotic-resistant infection that threatened her life. The radical surgery aims to provide her with a chance at a healthier future after years of battling the debilitating growth.

Since the age of two, Jasmine has lived with a mysterious ailment causing her left leg to develop at an accelerated and abnormal rate compared to the rest of her body. Medical professionals have been unable to formally diagnose or name the specific condition, which led to the uncontrolled growth of arteries, veins, fat, and bone mass within the limb. Initially, doctors classified and managed the rapid expansion as a lymphomatous tumor, though its precise etiology remained elusive.

The condition progressively impacted Jasmine’s mobility and quality of life. While she could walk during her early childhood, the increasing size and weight of her leg eventually necessitated the use of a wheelchair. Her family frequently arranged for specialized tailoring to accommodate the oversized limb, highlighting the daily challenges she faced. This relentless growth presented constant physical and logistical hurdles for the young teen.

Jasmine’s medical journey has been marked by numerous hospitalizations and interventions aimed at managing the leg’s growth. The decision for amputation became critical in recent weeks after she contracted a virulent antibiotic-resistant infection on the limb. This dangerous infection posed a significant threat to her overall health, prompting her family and medical team to conclude that amputation was the most viable and life-saving course of action.

The extensive surgical procedure, lasting approximately 16.5 hours, involved not only the amputation of the massive leg but also the removal of an associated tumor discovered in her abdomen. Post-operation, Jasmine’s body weight significantly reduced to 80 pounds, underscoring the immense mass that had been removed. This complex intervention required a dedicated team of surgeons and medical staff to ensure a successful outcome.

Following the arduous surgery, Jasmine has shown encouraging signs of recovery. Her sister, Anastashia Ramirez, reported that the teen is making daily progress, including getting out of bed and utilizing a wheelchair as part of her rehabilitation. The family remains a steadfast source of support, providing full-time care as Jasmine embarks on her path to recovery and adaptation.

The family has openly shared the emotional and financial toll of Jasmine’s condition. Her parents, in particular, have grappled with the inability to control her rare ailment despite diligently following medical advice. To alleviate the substantial costs associated with her ongoing care and to support her parents and six siblings, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated by her sister, raising over $16,000 to date.

Jasmine’s family describes her as a “superhero” and a “trooper,” emphasizing her remarkable strength, courage, and resilience throughout her ordeal. While the path ahead involves significant rehabilitation and adjustment, the successful surgery offers new hope for a future free from the immediate threat of the infection and the physical burden of the overgrown limb, allowing her to pursue a more active life.

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Keywords: Florida teen leg amputation, rare medical condition, Jasmine Ramirez, abnormal leg growth, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, antibiotic-resistant infection, limb overgrowth, medical fundraising