Question please

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope you all can help me with my questions.

I told my husband that I was considering the Lap Band Surgery; I asked him what he thought about it. All he had to say was that it was up to me and what am I going to do about the extra skin?

I am 54 years old and 5'2" and weigh 278 pounds. I wear about a size 22-24 pants now. I figure that insurance will probably not pay for any plastic surgery to remove extra skin. I guess what I'm asking is how many of you in my age group and previous size had to have plastic surgery to remove extra skin? How many didn't have that much of a problem with it and never had anything done?

Thank you all.

     Chris

Chris,

I'm 47. I am 5'6" and started off at 353 lbs. I had a full abdoplasty done to remove the skin. My insurance covered the tummy tuck portion...the skin below the belly button...and I paid for the rest. I also paid out of pocket to have my thighs done...and hubby told me last week that he'd pay to get the girls done.

Most insurances will cover the tummy tuck portion if you experience any rashes. I'd only gone to the doctor once over that and it was good enough for my insurance. To find out what, if any, that your insurance will cover, I'd suggest you call them and see.

Your choice of plastic surgeons will matter too. I had a consult with Dr. Turkle and she refused to bill the insurance for anything. I went with Dr. Bergman and love her. She's very personable and not snotty at all (Turkle was!). Her staff will go to bat for you with your insurance company and her fees are also way lower than Turkle's was.

Good luck...and welcome to the board.
Sherri

Thank you for the information Sherri. I live in Noblesville, IN. Not far from you. LOL

I wanted to explain too, that my husband was not being harsh about the extra skin thing. He could care less about it. He just wants me to be healthy. He knew it would bother me and he was questioning what I would do about it if it bothered me bad enough to want to do something about it. I told him that I would roll it up and put it in my pants. ROTFLMBO But I had to get this weight off. I take 3 blood Pressure pills a day and I hurt from my waist down. In every joint. By the time I get home from work I am shot. Thank God I work in an office and sit a lot of the day.

When I got married I weighed 105 pounds. Of course that was 38 years ago. LOL But over the years I gradually just kept gaining weight. I don't know how I let myself get this way. I could just kick myself. I think depression and boredom had a lot to do with it.

I hear that a tummy tuck is pretty painful. Is it?

LOL I haven't even been approved for surgery yet and I have all of these questions. I just sent my paperwork in Saturday. LOL

Sorry to rattle on. Thanks again

           Chris

Chris,

When I had my stuff done, everyone was telling me how painful the thigh lift was suppose to be. Don't listen to what others say. I was also told the same thing when I had my bunion surgery. The abdo part of my plastics gave me the hardest time. I didn't feel any pain at all with my thighs or tummy tuck..but that could had been because of the pain meds I was on to help control the abdo pain...lol.

My hubby really doesn't care about the skin either but it bothered me.

Since you live so close, I hope you and your dh can make it to dinner sometime with us. We usually go once a week or so with another couple from here...Brenda & Floyd...that also lives nearby.

Sherri

Thank you for the info. Sherri. Someone told me that Skim Milk helps draw the flab up. I can't see how that would work. I was told that after you are over 30 your skin starts to lose it elasticity. I'm pretty sure skim milk is not going to help it that much at all.

Maybe once I get going with this surgery we will meet for dinner some time. Thank you so much.

Please stay in touch.

         Chris

Chris,
I think it depends on your skin. i was at my highest 300 pounds. i am now 135 ish! I AM 34 and I have 2 kids. My skin is toast. I Have stretch marks that run from my chest to my pubic bone. Its looks like a map of the USA. i ahve a good 5-7 pounds of skin around me but short of winning the lottery, i will be tucking it in...
shanna

Hi Shanna,

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS!!!!!

I'll probably have to let mine hang around as well.   More than likely no one will be seeing me naked except my husband any way. I don't plan on it any way. I have a lot of stretch marks too.

I wonder if  this weight loss will make me look older?  You know, like wrinkly?  Gosh, I hope not.  I don't want to age faster than I have to.

Thanks again, Chris

Hi Chris - from another Chris!

Hon, we are the same age - I'll be 54 in September.  I'm about 1 inch taller than you, and started out at 294.  I was in a size 24.  I'm now in a size 18, and still going.  I'm at 223 now.

I'm a little jiggly, but not too bad yet.  I'm sure I'll have some hanging skin, and I'll save up to have it removed.  I notice it most in my arms - I have the dreaded bat wings.  I don't like the scarring that comes with having the arms done, so I will probably resign myself to not wearing sleeveless tops.

The tummy will probably need to be done.  I've already been advised to have a breast reduction (which insurance will cover) so I'll get 'em hiked up while I'm at it!!

Welcome to OH and the Indiana board!

Hi Chris,

Thank you so much for the information.

Actually my name is Christine but I have always gone by Chris.

I know where Camby is. I've been there. My nephew used to race mini sprints there. (I think it was there)? LOL

I'll be 55 August 29th.

I hate the bat wings too. I think I worry about those more than any thing. I guess because you can't really hide those very well, unless you wear sleeves all the time.

I have lost weight before and gotten down to a size 12 twice. My stomach wasn't too bad actually. My problem is I can't keep it off.

Well, I have to go. Got to get to work.

           Chris

I'm a Christina that has always gone by Chris! 

Welcome, and we hope to see you more often on here.  These folks are great, and I have made so many friends here.