Monday Morning Roll Call! :)

Ok, Elizabeth said she was going to do this, but since I have been up since 4 am, well, I am going to step up, LOL well, here is the question(s) of the day: How long after your surgery do you plan on (if you havent already) having the plastic surgery to remove skin? I know some of you are pre=ops, but just judging from how others lose, and how you think your body will react to losing all the weight, give a best answer if possible. or Do you plan on having the surgery at all to remove skin? It does seem like not everyone does have to or need it. that would be nice though if you didnt need it, or simply felt so much better and the skin tightened up some on its own, that you dont have to worry about it. here is my answer. wel, I had surgery 5/15 last year. I have lost 130 lbs so far, out of a 200 goal (or so) Right now the skin is getting looser, however, I am going to start working on some muscle training to try and tighten things up a bit on my own. But I had this dream last night (hence the question of the day) about looking great, but my big legs and bum just hanging with flesh. and considering thats where I carry it ALL! I have a feeling I will need it sooner then most. I have heard plastic surgery is painful, but I havent really talked with anyone who had like a bum lift, or skin removed from thighs. I could show pics if you dont believe how big they are, lol. ok, now I need to study for college and get ready to head for that. yippee fun. I will be looking forward to some answers when I get back this afternoon! hint hint! lol Judi D

well I can tell you that it took me 5 + years after my hysterectomy to even start thinking of RNY. while this recovery has been easier, I am in no hurry to go "under the knife again". I think I would want to reach my goal and maintain it for a while (since I will have to save for the surgeries anyway)+ I want to research the different surgeries and then decide. Hope school is going well for you, Judi.

Good Morning All, Well, I'm down about 50 so far - and want to lose another 60 or so. My surgeon told me after my lap RNY, that they found a small incisional hernia in the scar from my c-section. Hopefully, that will mean that insurance will pick up part of the cost of getting a TT and repair the hernia at the same time. Although, right now, my biggest problem area is more MY HAMS! - I mean, MY ARMS!!! LOL! I've always had big arms - thanks Mom! - but now they are just so hangy,saggy, big, and baggy that they drive me nuts. I am working with weights at least 4 days a week but no major breakthroughs in this region yet. I just don't think I will ever be able to wear something sleeveless until I get a brachioplasty. Since that's hardly ever covered by insurance, I will have to save my pennies. I think the procedure is about $4000 and that's probably just for the surgeon. Oh well, I am so thankful to have been able to have WLS. I was really worried that I would develop some major co-morbidities if I didn't get rid of the excess weight. If I had never found this site, I would be even closer to my all time high of 265; I am grateful to be where I am now. Thanks for listening! - Deb W.

Hey Judi; You're making fantastic progress. I lost around 180 lbs. and have maitained the 125-135 range for about 8 months. I could have started my plastic surgery journey sooner, but I had lots of reservations (most of them due to all the complications I had with the WLS, also I didn't think they could do a whole lot to help) and some issues with my family. Now that I have started the process I can't wait for the results, not for anyone but ME! I know I'll never be a swim suit model but in seeing the improvement in Julie and some others I am excited. I am hoping for the biggest scar (along with the dent) in my tummy to be gone and also lots of excess skin. The plastic surgeon said that I don't need liposuction just the skin removal. Study hard and keep up the good work!! Paula

Well I'm 5 mos post-op and I've lost 103 lbs. I've been working with a personal trainer and he says that my stomach will always have the skin and surgery is the only way to remove it. So I think a TT is in my future. I want to have a least 1 more child, and since I have 20 month old twins that won't be anytime in the near future. So I will live with my body until I know I'm done having kids, then we'll see what insurance covers. I would much rather renew my marriage vows and go to Hawaii than spend the money on plastic surgery. But thats how I feel now-who knows in 3 years or so. Deb Paul

Hi I am only 2 months out......I have no idea how my body will change and when I will need plastics......My surgeon told me for my age (25) that my skin still has good elasticity and I should do better shrinking back up.....so I was honestly hoping for no plastics......the pain and pictures just scare me!!!!!!!! But now 2 months out and 56 pounds gone....I already hate the loose skin.....when I do my water areobics my body just seems so bouncy and I hate it......so who knows I will probably have the TT and I have always wanted to get my boobs done...hehehe! We will just have to wait and see on me I guess! Judi I feel your pain...I have been up since like 1am.....the wind here was just loud and terrible and I have a horrible migraine!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope tomorrow is better Jesi

I've thought just a little bit about the excess skin after the whole weight loss journey is done but then I think about how long I have to go before that all comes about and I put it out of my mind again. I think my stomach and my arms are the main problems. The legs seem to be doing pretty good on losing inches without having all kinds of excess skin. We will have to see after we get another 75 pounds off just what things look like then. I do hear the surgery is very painful so that makes my a little skidish about it too!!! Wendy

Good afternoon, Judi, Well, I was at my family physician today and according to their scales am down 47.5 pounds. I went shopping yesterday and am down a couple of sizes all except for in the belly area. I guess three kids and a lot of extra weight is going to call for a tt. Also, the "girls" are saggier then ever now, so gotta save up or start having skin irritations for a boob lift also. Probably won't do anything else, but the inner thighs are getting loose too. I will go by what the doctor recommends on time frame - 1 year or 18 months. And.........I want to have another baby someday too, so will probably wait until after that. Hope you all are having good days. God bless, Andrea

Hi Judi and thanks for stepping up for me. I am about half brain dead these days. So amny things flying around in there that my thoughts can't stop on any ONE thing. I really figure I will have to have a TT sometime. I have had and apron for many years and now it is just deflating. It has pulled up a little. But I have also always had a touch of yeast infection under there and sometimes it gets worse. I have bat wings too, but figure those I will just have to live with. Jeff (BF) calls them Austrailian muscles because they are "down under" my arms. What a smart a**! huh? The inner thighs are tightening up a little and I don't care about some extra skin there, but does anyone else have that darker skin there? Does it go away? Elizabeth

I sure hope that dark skin goes away- it looks like a plucked chicken! I had hoped to one day get into a swim suit- but can I find one with long sleeves and a mid thigh skirt? I started with a trainer tonight, and of course she wanted pictures- ick. We pulled my shirt up under my bra, and the pants low enough so that big belly apron would show. Looks like some fat lady's been wearing my skin, and got it all stretched out! At 50 some, I'll just have to live with being saggy and baggy in a few places, but I hope I can get the tummy done! Jeri H.