Lost 181 lbs - look like a Shar Pei

Hi everyone...it's been a long time since I've "lurked". Glad to see everyone is doing well @ 9 months! I'm not complianing that I've lost so much, but I'm a little concerned that it's coming off too quickly. I started my journey @ 397 lbs. pre-op in March 05. I lost 42 lbs. for my surgery in May by doing Optifast (req by my surgeon). Since my surgery, I've lost 139 more for a total of 181 lbs. I'm only 26 and I work out very vigorously every day (run 3-5 miles a day and weight train), but my skin is hanging!!! It's to the point that I don't feel like a "thin person" because of all the skin just hanging there - it's really bad. I'm really frustrated and want to loose more weight. 175 lbs is my goal, but I'm afraid to see what I will look like if I loose 40-50 more pounds! Anyone else have this problem of body image issues/afraid to loose more weight? Lap RNY 05/17/2005 397/355/216/175

Hi Jennifer Congratulations on your weight loss! 181 lbs that is absolutely amazing!! You have lost an obese person! Unfortunetly the only solution for your hanging skin is plastic surgery. With that much weight lost you may be able to get your insurance company to pay for it. Do you have rashes and/or skin irritation or sores from the excess skin? Tell your doc get it in your chart and get some perscription creams for it. It wil help with insurance approval. If not just save your money or buy some lottery tickets!! Another thought that I recently had was offering yourself (or myself) up to the plastic surgeon to do several of the post gastric bypass procedures in exchange for your testimonial and possible presentation at support meetings and the like. I figure with the popularity of WLS plastic surgeons have a whole new target group. Maybe we can get in on the ground level and help them out while they help us out!! But just be sure to always remember what a great person you are and how strong and wonderful you have been in using this super tool to help you!!! Jen

Congrats on the major weight loss! Wow. I can relate to the Shar Pei look. My rear end and (especially) my thighs are suffering with that. I struggle with this, because I know that thighplexies are not particularly successful (not that I will ever be able to afford one). And, my major form of exercise is lap swimming, so my thighs make command apperances several times per week. I feel sort-of 'sloppy' when I walk in a swim suit, 'cos my legs are flapping around. I have excellent muscle definition when the skin's out of the way. It *is* a bit discouraging. But, I got over my self-consciousness when I swam at 300 pounds, I figure I can get past this too. I guess I'll just have to accept that I'll always be a bit alarming-looking when nekkid. Eileen

I know some people that dont want to make it to goal because of that. They will keep 30# on because if they lose it they have extra skin, if they keep the weight up... it doesnt look so bad. Just depends on what you want to do.

Jennifer, I can so relate! I guess the best thing to do is give yourself some time. It takes a real long time for the body to adjust to such a rapid weight loss. My doctor says she does not advise plastic surgery for her patients for at least 6 months after reaching goal weight, but, she recommends 1 yr. I exercise all the time and I do think it helps, but, it can't cure this hanging skin. I guess we have to focus on the "health" aspect of this weight loss. Lori 384/250.5/168