Just beginning my journey into Roux-en-Y

I am just starting the process of getting my insurance to cover my surgery. I am ready to get back to a smaller size and be healthier and happier.  I do have a question about at what point do you need to consider a PS?  I am starting out at 265, 5'6" and I wish to loose at least 75 pounds (hopefully a little more). I have read several of the surgical weight loss books, none have a lot of information about the need for the PS.  I am looking for information from others in the same situation to see if any have had PS (skin removal, or anything else), or if exercise alone can firm up the legs and butt areas.  If you have firmed up with exercise, what type have you done?   Help! 

Check out the plastic surgery forum on OH. I think the rule of thumb is to consider plastics after you are about 18 mos out. The idea is for you weight to become stable. It is also desirable to reduce the excess skin naturally.  Welcome and best of luck!

Hi Tyler.  Congratulations on beginning your journey to a healther, happier and smaller you!  I wish you all the best with the process.  I am going to be having my first PS on Aug. 14th.  I have lost 113 lbs. and have maintained my current weight for 5 months.  The general rule of thumb is once you reach your goal weight (typically determined by you and your doctor) and maintain that for 6 months then it is okay to have PS.  I have known others to do plastics before one year out from WLS, although that might be a bit soon.  Exercise is extremely important!!!  Whether you have excess skin which needs to be removed or not.  I don't have a lot of belly skin (mostly sagging in the hips/butt/thighs with some belly skin).  If I had not exercised all along, I don't know what I would look like since this looks pretty bad as it is.  Cardio and circuit training has helped me.  I also take an abs class.  Because of the very quick weight loss, unless you are working out for several hours a day and working with a personal trainer all the time, I believe you will have excess skin, maybe just not as much as someone who loses well over 100 lbs.  You also might be happy with your results and not feel the need for PS.  I started at 272, am 5'6" and have really jiggly hips/thighs and butt and need some lifting to get me to where I am happy and not so self conscious about it.  I also hope that all of the muscle I have built that is currently hidden by excess skin and sagging, will finally be noticable by me.  I hope this helps.  And yes, the Plastics forum is a great source for help, questions and encouragement.   Hugs, Robin