How much..

have you lost since your surgery? When did you have it done?

I lost 147 lbs.  I had my surgery on 8/31/04.

RNY almost 2 years ago.  Initially lost 90 but I'm back up about 8 pounds (I've been baaaaaaad lazy!).  I was considered a relatively lightweight at 264# and I barely made the BMI requirements for surgery but I did have High BP & Severe sleep apnea and several other co-morbidities. I lost that 90 in the first year.  I've been maintaining within 5# of my original loss until last week when I added an extra 3# on top of that.  Grrrr.  I still would like to get down to about 150-160 and get a Panni removal and maybe a TT.

What is a Panni removal and a TT?

OK depending on how much weight you lose and where you carried it plastic surgery for skin removal is sometimes needed.  Panni & TT are a Pannictomy (SP?) and Tummy Tuck.  The Panni is that "Apron" of skin that hangs over your pubic area.  Sometimes "work" needs to be done on the pubis because after weight loss the skin in that area also hangs a little (looks like you have a "camel toe" no matter what you wear).  The doctor will do some lypo and lift the area (I would like to have this done).  A friend of mine warned me jokingly not to let the doc "lift" it too much cause I could end up looking like a billy goat! LOL.  Of course a tummy tuck is just that.  They remove the excess skin, sometimes tightening up the muscle layer underneath and stitch the skin back together. You also need to research this post weight loss stuff so you can be prepared for how you might look once you reach your goal weight.  That way you won't be surprised or disappointed in the results of your surgery.  Personally I look like a deflated balloon thru the middle.  My thighs aren't great, but I'm over 40 so I really don't mind them so much.  I do have some "Bat wings" going on but they are also something that I can live with.  It's the apron that really bothers me.  I know thqat If that were gone I'd probably be wearing size 10's and 12's(without having to be streatch). Unfortunately most insurance company's do not cover post WLS skin removal.  There are however many who have fought and won to get their plastic surgery covered.  It must be medically necessary (pain, sores, chronic rashes, etc).. I hope this helps!

Thats what scares me . The hangy skin!! lol. I mean Im only 26 and the chances of my legs and arms shrinking back nicely are in my favor but def. not my belly. My belly is so stretched out already. I have hangy skin as it is.  I had a csection with my son and that was it for me. It really took a toll on my stomach. Then of course gaining all the weight helped not one bit.  You had my laughing with the whole camel  toe thing!! LOL. I hope to God I don't have to deal with that.. If I do it's def. something I'll be willing to take care of surgically.  But right now I shouldnt worry about it i guess. I need to just hope I get the surgery approved!

I just wanted you to know that you're not going to look like a movie star when you're nekkid (hell movie stars don't even look like movie stars when they're nekkid!).  MAny go into surgery with unrealistic expectations and end up disappointed.  You're young and if you take serious advantage of the honeymoon period and get into an exercise routine as soon as you're cleared, you probably won't have as much skin issueds as us older gals do.  You probably will however have the belly skin issues, I was wrecked after I gave birth too.

I know for SURE I wont be looking like a movie star when Im naked LOL. Im keep my expectations low. Maybe too low.. Im sort of expecting to have loose skin so I don't get disappointed. I think I mainly just have it in my belly and butt area.. I know I'll have some "wavage" going on with the thighs But I dont think it'll be awfully hangy. Just wavy!! haha.  Not sure what to do about those ocean ripples. Probably need lypo!!

How much do you want to lose?  Geez, I didn't mean for you to have LOW expectations, just realistic expectations.  I've just seen others who expect to lose all of their weight int he first 6 months and look like Beyonce and then real life steps in, and yeah, they look like Beyonce, but a Beyonce who was popped like a balloon.  Believe me, since you are so young, you probably WILL want to have some plastic surgery done.  The under 35 WLS set that I know all seem so have had some kind of plastics done post op.  The older ones, well they can take it or leave it.  The ones I know who've had plastics all seem to have had skin or hernia issues that warrented PS.

BTW can I just tell you how cute you are!  I just read your profile.  Are you in any kind of Autism support group where you are?  My best freind's son is Autistic and she has a wonderful support group over the bridge in Salem Co. NJ.  We go to their fundraising Spaghetti Dinner every year.  Wonderful group of people!