Question:
Skin elasticity issues
I am 5', 251 lbs 32 yr old woman. I am in the pre surgery process and will be getting my surgery date somewhere around the end of June (if all goes well). I am excited about the changes ahead of me but I do have one concern. Skin elasticity and if other are experiencing hanging loose skin? I worry about this alot, because I have a large hanging stomache that I get rashes with now. I would just like to hear from others. Thanks for your time. — dre_1974 (posted on February 24, 2007)
February 24, 2007
Well each person is different. As for me I am having problems with the
skin already and I only lost 53 lbs. I cannot imagine what is going to
happen when I am done with the other 150, but it isn't going to be pretty.
Good luck, Diane
— Diane C.
February 24, 2007
Hi Andrea! I would love to know what others have experienced with this as
well. I have heard Lap Band is easier on the skin elastic issue because the
weight comes off slower than the bypass, but your age may be a great
benefit for you because you are still young. Which procedure are you going
to do? I am 38, 5'10" , same weight as you and also pre-surgery going
for Lap Band in Mexico for May. I already have a tummy issue because of 3
C-sections and the muscles were cut each time and scar tissue built around
it..I was hoping to maybe get a tummy tuck and some new breasts if things
don't get better after getting the weight down. Hubby thinks the breasts
are a great idea and maybe I could get some that look like Anna Nicole
Smiths! :) Men, gotta love em!
— MBAat40
February 24, 2007
Hi, I am also goign through the process to have a lap ryn. i have talked
to a cousin of mine who has had the surgery and said that if you drink lots
of water and exercise that it will be better on your elasticity of your
skin. Good luck and GOD bless you on your journey. Vanessa
— Vanessa Dates
February 24, 2007
I am 5', 8", am 35 and was 262 going into surgery. I am 10 days post
op (lap/RNY) and have lost inches and pounds like crazy. My stomach and the
part above my belly-button below my breasts - both have been slimming along
with the weight loss and inches lost - thus far. I have not had any
childern. I am hoping it will continue :) Good luck! Currently 248lbs.....
— jammerz
February 24, 2007
What a great question, and one in which the answers pose even more
questions. I had LAP RNY 1/15/07, and I am so very pleased with my present
outcome. My husband and I had talked at great length about the excess skin
issues. My husband is a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
practicing on the south side of Chicago. He is presently the Chairman of
Plastic Surgery at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois. I had many
questions for him about skin elasticity and shrinkage. He explains that the
age of your skin is the determining factor in the volume of skin that can
easily be reabsorbed...as it were...into your sleeker bodys. That is
practically the only variable. The rate at which weight is lost does not
make you skin any more or less capable of incorporating all that stuff back
into you. Its not going to happen.There is a minor amount of skin that will
tighten up....the rest will fall, wrinkle, move inappropriately in a slight
breeze, and in ways too many to list....EMBARRASS us relentlessly. After my
55lb weight loss this past 6 weeks, I have evidence of such horrors with
the run to the southern borders by my treasonous breasts. I didn't know
skin could hang that low! I think that there will most probably some body
tucks in our futures. And let me tell you quite seriously, that my husband
is uniqely qualified to hand WLS patients....why golly...he's married to
one of his own. He can be found on this website under Illinois Plastic
Surgeons, and his name is DR Ramasamy Kalimuthu. Please feel free to
consult with him about any of these topics. He is a concerned and
compassionate surgeon. Best of Luck to all, Joan Kalimuthu
— midaem
February 24, 2007
Hi! I am 16 weeks post op with a 50 lb. weight loss and about 35 more to
go. I had a flabby abdomen before and it's not as bad as I thought it was
going to be. I think you need to excercise, cardio and strength
training....I go to Curves and I think that helps - many people work with a
trainer. A trainer will target the core areas. I am going for physical
therapy and many of the same exercises I am doing will work for loose skin,
including an exercise ball for sit ups and abdomenal exercises. I cover
the flabby areas with shaper garments and it looks like an instant tummy
tuck! I don't think I can wear a bathing suit because my thighs are very
jiggly...I don't know what will happen after the weight is off but whatever
happens, I will deal with it. Anyone know a good plastic surgeon in
NJ?????????????????????????????????????? I see lipo in my future.
— Sheri A.
February 24, 2007
Document & take pictures of all & any rashes or anything else
associatedly caused by the hanging skin from weight gain & losing.
These documents May help you get your insurance to Pay for the Skin Removal
(Plastic Surgery) after you lose your weight.
— Michael Eak
February 25, 2007
I have lots of hanging skin, but it beats the fat!
— Novashannon
February 25, 2007
hey there- I am 5'1 and started at 270....I am now a year and a half post
op and have lost 120 pounds (currently 150 lbs) and the hanging skin is
gross, yes, but not as gross as the obesity was. It is definitely worth it
and let me tell you, the irritatiuon from the hanging skin is no where near
as bad as it was because now we have more energy to take care of ourselves
and also are not sweating as much- therefore not causing as much irritative
bacteria to grow and thrive. Best of luck!
— SaGa
February 25, 2007
I am almost 6 months out and last check was down 122lbs. Most of my skin
has done well. My breasts are hanging and my stomach/belt area is hanging
but it was hanging before surgery so I knew it wasn't going to magically
going to disappear. I know that with my BC/BS if I document my sores under
my stomach and my breasts they will take care of a tummy tuck and a breast
lift (not implants).
Good Luck
— Lost4Ever
February 25, 2007
This is not an answer to your question but it might help in the meantime.
I am pre-op and have issues with chafing and sores under my belly. My
sister is a nurse and last summer I finally got over my embarassment enough
to mention it to her. She told me that the bacteria that causes it is
yeast so the treatment is also the same. She had me buy yeast infection
medicine and rub it on the bad places. It worked! I had tried every kind
of cream, powder and home remedy I could think of to no avail. Mine
usually only bothers me in the summer and I put the medicine on in the
morning and at night when I go to bed.
Hope this helps! Good luck to you.
— Carla_B
February 26, 2007
Well, I'm 26, 5' 6.5", & was 312.9 the day of surgery. I've had
hangy skin for years, even before I gave birth to my daughter. I think poor
skin elasticity runs in my family. Several people automatically assume that
I won't need plastic surgery b/c I'm young, but I'm here to tell you I know
for a fact that I will. I'm out 6 months & down 92 lbs, and the hanging
is only getting worse! I had skin break down/rash under my stomach a few
times prior to surgery. Now, it's happening more, and I'm even getting
rashes right next to my armpits now b/c of the hangy underarm skin. When
it's all said & done, I'll need my arms, breast, tummy, love handles,
& thighs worked on. Dang near a whole body lift. lol My only problem is
that I have Medicaid, and they only cover it if it's medically necessary.
So, everytime I get a rash, I have to have it documented by my PCP. This is
a problem for me right now b/c I can't see my new PCP b/c of a medicaid mix
up. However, my surgeon called in some ointment for me, so I'm sure they
have documented this first case. Hopefully, by the time it happens again,
I'll be able to see my PCP. Good luck, and if you need to talk, I'm
available!
— byHizgrc
February 26, 2007
I am 40 and was 36 years old when I had my surgery. My pre-weight was 320.
I am 5'6. I lost 130 lbs. I look and feel great! I do have some loose
skin, but I am blessed with minimal amount. Even though, I do wear 3/4
sleeves because I do not like how my arm looks...BUT!!...I do much better
than when I was heavy. Everyone is different. Get the weight off...feel
better and then work on that problem if there is one in the future.
Worrying is not going to help you at all. Just live and fix things when
you get there. Enjoy the new you that you will discover....and God Bless
you on your Journey!
— TeeCee3546
February 26, 2007
I am 40 and was 36 years old when I had my surgery. My pre-weight was 320.
I am 5'6. I lost 130 lbs. I look and feel great! I do have some loose
skin, but I am blessed with minimal amount. Even though, I do wear 3/4
sleeves because I do not like how my arm looks...BUT!!...I do much better
than when I was heavy. Everyone is different. Get the weight off...feel
better and then work on that problem if there is one in the future.
Worrying is not going to help you at all. Just live and fix things when
you get there. Enjoy the new you that you will discover....and God Bless
you on your Journey!
— TeeCee3546
February 28, 2007
I am pre-op, but I already have this problem. I have a large tummy. When
I get hot, I usually sweat under my breast & tummy. I always had
rashes and it would burn. I finally discovered baby powder. Some of them
break me out worse. The only one I can use is Johnson Baby powder, with
corn starch. I will be cool & clean feeling even after working all
day. It keeps me from sweating. But I am terrified about what my belly
will look like if I loose this weight. Good Luck.
Stacy
— slhoffman
March 1, 2007
I just want to let you know that everybody is different. I am the same
height as you & weigh a couple of pounds less. When I first started out
I was 289 lbs. I am 2 months post-op & have lost 47.5 lbs. I started
walking as soon as I had my surgery. 4 wks. after my surgery I joined a
gym. I do water aerobice 3 times a week. They say water aerobics really
tones your body. So far I don't have the hanging skin. My tummy was huge,
but is really going down. I also use my ab-lounger (that really works).
Good Luck & everything will work out.
— carleenm
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