I'm concerned..

Hi all I went home for the weekend and told my family what I was doing, and as I expected, the reception was at best luke warm. The most excitement came from my niece, who eventually traumatized me. Why? She brought up the sagging skin thing, and I could never afford plastic surgery. I want another shot at a healthy normal life, but I would hate to continued to be judged by apperance even after I lost weight. How vain am I? I guess I shouldn't be mad, she merely hit upon what I feared. Can anyone speak to the plastic surgery no plastic surgery issue?

Lily, Yes loose saggy skin is a risk and it can be expensive and most definitely we ALL are vain and concerned about this issue. But weigh the odds of living longer versus some excess skin and living the good long life looks pretty good. Now, I am guessing, but by looking at your profile and your BMI, the chance of excess saggy skin is a probability. My starting BMI was 43.9 and I'm 5' 6".... as I loose I think my tummy is going to be ok, but if I want things TIGHT then I might consider a tuck.... my arms are starting to look good and I don't think surgery there will be necessary either. My LEGS & "the twins" will probably need help. From everything I've read, researched and learned through this web site and through my support groups, their are "ways" of possibly getting your insurance to pay for these plastic surgeries (providing thier are no exclusions on your health insurance). Post surgery, if you notice ANY rashes from the hanging skin (under arms, breasts, overlapping belly or inner thighs) make SURE you call your doctor and have him/her check it out and DOCUMENT this on your chart..... I'm having some issues with rashes under "the twins" (the breasts) and now that it is warm out the thighs rubbing together have caused a few irritations. I've been to my PCP and he documented these, and I recently took a picture of the inner thighs. I am hoping that by documenting these few instances, and then when the time comes and I go to the PS, I am hoping my PCP will also write a letter of medical necessity to get the lifts and excess skin removal. I have my first PS appointment next week to talk about "the twins" - I'm crossing my fingers that this works out for you and me!!!! Take care and BE HEALTHY! Peggy -94lbs.

Lilly, I do have the sagging skin, but I feel much better that I did 95 pounds ago. I don't know if I will ever get plastic surgery and I really do not care. I do not look good naked, but I still do not care. I fell like a million bucks and that is all that matters. I would rather be skinny and saggy and being back to my old self and miserable. My feet no longer hurt and I am no longer scared to go into public. I blend in now and am not so self concious. My blood pressure is back to normal and I am no longer afraid of not being able to see my children grow up. Just in case I haven't made myself clear, the sagging skin isn't something you should worry about. Your health and quality of life is what should matter the most. ((((HUGS)))) Dawn

I meant to say that I feel like a million bucks ((((HUGS)))) Dawn

Telling the family is fun, eh? hahahaha, riiight. I feel your pain, though...even traumatized myself last night, looking at all these awful plastic surgery before and after photos! Ugh do NOT look at the pics...it's downright scary. I've never been through surgery in my life, and though I'm going for WLS, I can't imagine voluntarily being cut again...time shall tell though. I guess my thought is this, much like the post above, how much is your health worth to you? No matter how much saggy this or that, at least I will be able to SEE it beyound this current massive expanse of belly I have! LOL! Anyhow, that's just my pre-op two cents By the way, the family will come around as soon as they realize you're serious about this, doing it for you, and that you've done your homework. Trust me, I had a husband AND a father condemning the fact that I was even considering this surgery, three months later, they have both come around. It's just a shock, and with all the horror stories, they love you and are afraid for you...at least that was the case with me. Good luck to you!

That is so far in the future though. I mean, worry about your health and losing as much as you can. After that, then you can determine if PS is best for you. Some doctors will take it as "reconstructive surgery" Just document everything when it gets to that time. But that might be 2, 3 5 100 years from now.

Thanks Melissa My very best friend in the whole world said the same thing. Just wanted to vent the anxiety.