extra skin

Those of you who have lost like 110 or 130 lbs...is extra skin a problem with you?  Or is it more manageable?  What I mean is, does your skin just hang and get in the way, or can you easily mask it?  I'm asking because I don't know if i'll ever have the money for plastic surgery and just want to know if it's an eye sore for you or if you can't really tell.  I know everyone's body is different, just want some feedback.

hi, I lost 100 lbs and I'm a year post op. when it comes to having extra skin and the choice to remove it, there are areas that I wouldn't mind having some work done. there are some tricks to the trade though... wearing nylons(even though they aren't the most comfortable) can help make your thighs look tighter so that your comfortable wearing skirts and such. There are lovely little things called Spanx and they look somewhat to swim suits, but they act like make shift tummy tucks, they nicely put things into place under your clothes. The one place I have trouble hiding is the extra skin on my arms, so if you think of anything for that let me know. I dont know if I'll ever be able to afford plastic surgery either so I have had to find ways to adapt as well. Hope this is helpful.

Clothes hide a lot!  I look good in clothes and awful naked.  I need a lot of plastics to ever look like something approaching human. I've decided to start from the top down.  This year is face and arms in Lithuania. I'm all for self acceptance!  It's a lot cheaper than plastics.  Spanx helps a lot.

I lost 150 lbs and my stomach, butt and boobs were a mess.  I was tired of having to stuff my gut into my pants and I still felt fat.  Being that obese for that long, I knew that no amount of exercise was going to tighten my gut or lift the breasts.  I took out a loan and got a lower body lift (cut all the way around) and a breast lift (no implants).  Best money I ever spent.  For the first time in my life, my tummy is flat and my breasts point north instead of south. I figure we take out loans for cars that depreciate as soon as we drive them off the lot...I'm worth more than a car! That's my story...

I have lost @ 125-130, and still would like to lose another 60 or so.  I won't even think about PS until I'm 2 years out, I've heard too many "old timers" say things continue to tighten up even 2 years + post op!  But if I get to that point and am still frustrated by my "apron", I will seriously consider doing the loan thing as Lori mentioned.  At least against my home equity line.  I didn't do this to be able to wear a bikini, but I don't think I'm gonna be happy with a perma-baggy-muffin-top, either.  If a lil' nip & tuck will help clothes fit better and do away with the over-hang?  I won't have any issues with doing it, other than the financial.  The girls? Not so sure on that.... would LIKE to have them up where they belong, but if a good bra can do the trick, we'll have to see....

I'm down 129 lbs, and extra skin is only a problem when I am naked - so I try have clothes on when possible! I am really shocked that my jeans holds in my tummy so well.  The muffin top, however, will always be with me.  Oh well, no tight tops for me.  If I wear high top panty hose, though, it does slim the muffin.   I have pretty much decided that I will be wearing capris this summer instead of shorts, to cover up the shar pei thighs. 

I've lost 175-ish and have skin that hangs too, but I don't think it's that bad.  I lotion up every morning, especially under my arms for the bat wings and it's better than before.  My legs look like sharpei` puppies, but who cares, they used to look like telephone poles.  Puppies are cuter.  Also, I use good under garments and the most recent one can be found on QVC, item A16151.  They are called Breezies and they smooth out those muffin tops really nicely and the garment doesn't roll back down when you sit.  Believe me, I wore it to a gala and danced my fool head off and the garment was as comfortable and in place as when I put it on.  I don't want to go through more surgery and so far, I'm not having problems with skin (rashes, etc), so I'm going to be thankful for the health I have now and not worry about being neked!

I was a light-weight, at 5' 3/4" tall, and have lost and kept off 105 lbs since my 7/25/06 surgery.  Just prior to surgery, I bought a two-DVD set of Pilates, whi*****luded Yoga Pilates and a resistance circle.  Soon as I was able, immediately after surgery I began working the resistance circle with my upper arms and thighs. I lam able to wear tight tops as I do not have the proverbial 'muffin top'. I was very diligent about my workouts and walking, eventually moving on to actual Pilates and Yoga Pilates which are excellent, as they stretch and elongate the arm and leg muscles.  Definitely worth the effort, as Ido not have bat wings, nor problems wearing shorts in the summer.  Just my two cents here, and I feel the ultimate choice is up to the individual.  I was determined to utilize this once-in-my-lifetime opportunity to be at my ideal weight, and am glad I stuck with the hard work.  Best wishes to you!  Hugs, Patti

Hi I am 5+ years out and have lost 140 pounds. I have had plastics done and am so glad I did. You can exercise all you want, but if the skin has stretch marks, this is then damaged skin and nothing will bring it back except having it removed. My apron hung so low that no clothes would hold it all in. The extra skin was causing me rashes and I was unable to exercise because it hung so low and caused problems. I got my tummy covered by insurance because it was interferring with my quality of life. I lost all this weight and wanted to stay healthy....which requires exercise. I was unable to do this because of the extra skin. I also had my arms done. My surgeon took off 1 pound of skin and 6 inches of skin from each arm. There is definately nothing that can be done with that much skin. Good luck to you. Peggy