Wanting to have WLS

Ok, I think I've pretty well educated myself on gastric bypass and adjustable lap-banding.  I've been to two informational seminars & looked at everything I can find on-line (found one site that was really down on WLS).  I want the surgery to improve my health & hopefully get off some of the meds that I am taking now...but I'm still a little concerned about the loose skin thing.  Now I just looked at quite a few of the before & after photos that are posted on OH, and I'm not seeing a lot of loose hanging skin, and the people that I have met that have had the surgery don't have it either.  So has everybody had plastic surgery, or has exercise helped to "shrink" the skin?

The lose skin will depend on how old you are and how much weight you have to lose.  The more weight you have to lose you will have a lot of lose skin because it has been stretched.  If your young and still have good elasticity (sp?) you could probably exercise enough to firm a lot of it up.  I am 6 months post op and have lost 123 pounds but I started at 352 lbs so even after losing 123 lbs and I'm 40yrs old I do have lose skin espcially under my arms, tummy area, and around knees.  I look at it this way.  I am healthier now and off all meds even diabetic meds, I can do so much more now then I could have 6 months ago.  It is worth it to trade the weight for the lose skin.  I hope to have some of mine removed when it's all said and done and I get to my goal weight.  I had a few complications and at first wasn't sure I did the right thing by having surgery, but now after I have healed and I feel so much better I only wish I would have done it sooner!  Good luck on your journey and I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Do you mind if I ask how you decided to have the RNY instead of banding?  I'm leaning toward RNY...it just seems to me to have better results...

Before making the final decision on your surgery, I would like to recommend that you research the DS and the sleeve. They are options I was original unaware of and they offer some unique differences to the band and rny. I am not saying they are better! Just they are different and for me the DS was better. It won't be the choice of everyone, but if you learn about the other options, then your choice of surgery will truly be informed and you will know you've chosen the one best for you. My daughter and I just had our DSes on the 14th and couldn't be happier! Good luck and I am sure you will find the best surgery for you!

According to my surgeon, there is no way to predict how well a person's skin will bounce back after WLS. He has seen patients lose much weight and have great tone, and he's seen other patients lose less weight and have terribly sagging skin. He says exercise has little to do with it.
Have you researched the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy? The results are very promising, altho' it is relatively new.
Blessings,
Mary