Extra Skin

I have just scheduled my surgery and eventually would like to lose around 100 lbs. My biggest issue is the fear of losing the weight and then still not being comfortable with my body because of the left over skin. I'm not in a position where I would be able to afford cosmetic surgery so I wonder how many of you have had successful weight loss and not had any surgery after? I see a lot of great before and afters but wonder how many people were fortunate enough to have their skin shrink along with the fat.

 Tia: there is an album on my profile of MY experience with skin sag. Feel free to take a look.

Oh Bette

I just saw your pics.  your skin sag is worse than mine.  My stomach is close to yours.  You look really good now. 

Thanks so much, Bette. Even so, you lost 200 lbs! That's not a bad trade off, I agree. We will just have to see.

I know lots of people seem to have an issue or fear about extra skin...take it from someone that's living the supposed nightmare...said sarcastically. 

Sure I have droppy skin but now I can wear clothes from the misses department and look pretty good in them if you ask me.  I can sit in all chairs and booths comfortably, I can wear seat belts with no problems, I can move around and do things with out getting out of breath, I can climb several flights of stairs with no problems, I can jog and actually have a goal to run a 5k race in the Summer, There are so many things I can do and I feel so alive that I don't care about the extra skin.  I still have about 50-60 lbs to lose.  If I never have any kind of surgery to correct the extra skin I will never regret the Band and losing weight.   

Here's a an after picture of me before and after...Believe me I am completely comfortable with my new body ....droopy skin and all

You look fantastic! Congrats and thanks so much for the info.

I think there are a lot of factors that come into play:  age, how much weight you lose, skin elasticity, how fast you lose, etc.  I know that I am going to have skin sag beceause I sag already, especially in the arm and abdomen area.  But, I agree that it will be worth it in the long run.  I'm trying to focus more on the positives, like getting healthy and being able to shop in regular stores.  It's gonna suck to have skin sag because I am only 27 and not married/dating.  I fear that I'm not going to be able to find someone who will accept me and be attracted to me with the skin sag. 

I am also single and have a fear of letting a man see me naked one day...but I feel if he's the right one for me he will love me for who I am...sagginess and all. 

I am the opitome of skin sag ocean waves etc. I met my hubby before WLS but even at my biggest I was a flabby fat ... Not a solid piece of meat on my body! And that is no exaggeration. I have ugly legs even below the knees and really dislike my body (i have had a tummy tuck before I regained weight insurance paid for it) which I like but its not firm...just a lot flatter. I am blessed with a man who has loved me unconditionally with a wonderful love whether I was 363 lbs, 169 lbs, 219 lbs, 273 lbs, 243 lbs etc no matter how far I could fly with my bat wings, or hear the ocean roar with my legs, etc! I believe love is available for anyone and I truly have the best...you will find the one you are meant to find for you who will love you unconditionally for you and you will be so much happier & healthier to enjoy that relationship! I love fitting into 1 seat riding roller coasters being noticed feeling good as the weight comes off. It is one of the bestfeelings in life after a lifetime of obesity and unhappiness! Good luck to you in your journey!

You are both right. I'm 32 and hoping that age will be on my side. If not, I'm not going to worry because like it was mentioned, I just want to go to the mall and have more than 3 options of stores to shop in. This site is super-motivating and I have hope. I know I'll prefer to be smaller versus "tight" LOL. Dating now makes me nervous, I don't guess it can be any worse if I'm 100 lbs lighter someday!