Is plastic surgery generally required after WLS and the weight is gone?

 I have been doing research as is recommended, and I am surprised to hear that plastic surgery is sometimes needed after a person has lost their amount of weight from WLS.  

What I would like to know is how many people here have needed this type of corrective plastic surgery and how many have not.

I don't expect to wear a bikini (although I'd like to have the body to should I wish to) but if I'm going to look freakish without getting the corrective plastic surgery, I would like to know.

I am a healthy woman, and maybe I'll have a BF in the future and I don't want him turned off by the type of things I have read about.  

Thank you for taking the time to answer me.

Iam on the list to to have this done it is a ne year list and you should wait 2 years after lapband.I don't know anyone that had it done but Iam going to go for it.

It's good to know that you have taken the time to explore the issues with excess skin after weight loss surgery, or any other form of significant weight loss.

It shouldn't be too shocking to have discovered that even with elasticity, skin stretched from being obese doesn't go back where it should and is even more apparent the older we get.

If you are a healthy woman, than you won't need weight loss surgery, or plastic surgery afterwards, so I'm confused by  your questions.

Your BMI on your profile is over 50 -- which is not healthy, so if that is accurate - -that should be the reason you are choosing to have weight loss surgery -- for your health.  

If your reasons are so you will be more desirable to a man you haven't even met yet, then maybe you need to do some more soul searching to determine if this is the right decision for you.

I am healthy for the time being.  I am overweight or obese if you'd prefer, however I have managed so far not to have any of the co-morbid conditions.  Being obese is not being sick.  I do know that if I can't reduce this weight, I will have many of the co-morbid conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart/lung issues, back/knee issues etc.

As for wanting this surgery, my reason is simple:  I must lose weight in order to live a full life and to enjoy my grandchildren.  None of the traditional weight loss therapies have worked, so I am looking into this as a viable option.   

I was merely wondering if it was standard to require corrective plastic surgery after WLS.  I simply used the bikini and nakedness with a man as examples of where I was wondering if it would be needed.  (I figure with clothes, I could have whatever 'held in' appropriately)

FYI, my current BMI is 49.

I for one believe that if a man can't love me big, he can't really love me small.  My size shouldn't even be a consideration into whether he loves me or not.  I am psychologically together and know what I am doing.  

Thank you for your concern.

I agree with Carly (ocean), and believe that you can't enter into this decision worrying about the 'what-ifs' that may or may not happen later.

No one with a BMI in the obese range is 'healthy' by any standards, and certainly not in the medical profession. 
Whether you're 49, or over 50, it's the difference of a few pounds or an inch or two in height.

I believe if you meet someone post-op to become intimate with, you surely would choose someone who loves you for you, hanging skin and all.  Someone who loves you big or small will love you regardless if your skin sags to the point of having to tuck it in, or not.  If not, then they don't deserve to be loved by you and you probably shouldn't choose to be naked around them anyway.

If you are psychologically together, than you would be in a place to accept that sagging skin in a healthy, normal BMI is a small price to pay.   If your only concern is not developing co-morbidities associated with remaining obese, how you look on the outside afterwards won't be an issue.

Welcome to OH and Good luck in your weight loss and with your elasticity.

Well, I know that the BMI of 49 is not good, I guess I should have qualified my term of HEALTHY.  I have healthy wants and desires.  I am quite active and do not currently suffer from the various co-morbid conditions that are associated with obesity.  

Having said that, to want to look good is NOT unhealthy.  It is normal.  I'm not hoping to look like a supermodel, but it would be nice not to look freakish.

I am quite curious to know what would prompt you to think that I am or am not in the medical profession.  MANY people in the various occupations that make up the 'medical profession' are obese.

Some sagging skin is certainly acceptable, however what information I had been reading talked of freakish sagging skin and that had me worried.  While I fully accept that being healthy is the end goal, looking better outwardly is part of that.  If you look like a 'freak', you cannot be psychologically healthy.  

But from what I'm to understand from what many people have responded here is that there is sagging skin to be expected, but for the most part it is NOT freakish in nature.

Thank you for your concern.

My arms are a BIT floppy - but nothing that keeps me out of sleeveless tops, belly isn't too bad at all - not flat and tight - but underwear and pants hold everything where they should be. My boobs- now they could do with some work - to put them back up where they should be. But you know what - not important to me. I have no intention of subjecting myself to an anaesthetic and surgery that is not necessary. There is risks with all surgery. I'm thankful to have gotten out relatively complication - free from my past surgeries. But - it's a personal choice.

Thank you for answering my question.

At my age, flat and tight bellies are only gotten with plastic surgery, so I'm not too worried about that!  

If I may ask a personal question, do you wear a bathing suit?  Are your 'flabby' parts sufficiently held in?

Boobs up where they should be....oh my....
Mine have never been there, so no worries....

I like how you realized that this was not a way to get the 'perfect' body and are realistic about further surgeries.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience.

First off, you're a new face on the board so welcome :)

I'm with Mary. I personally try to avoid anesthetics as much as I can because surgery is an absolute *****

I don't look great naked but I was lucky that my excess skin isin't that bad. I'm not wearing bikinis and I never will, but I'm okay with that. I'm just grateful to have been given a second chance at a healthier life. Sure I would love to be able to strut a bikini, but I accept what will never be.

My arms (or bat wings as I call them) are kind of an nuissance, but not enough for me to not wear short sleeve tops or to be ashamed by it.

It's hard to tell whether you will be bothered by it or not. You can't really make that decision before you're there and you see how your body reacts to the weight loss.

I get you on the future BF. I didn't have that problem because I've been with my hubby since before the weight loss, but you'll be fine! I'm sure you'll find someone who understands and loves you for you - excess skin or not.

Mon

PS> A good bra works wonders
PPS- Spanx are a godsent

Thank you for the encouragement and welcome!

I'm sure I won't want to wear a bikini, just want to know that I can wear a bathing suit after.

I don't need to look great naked, but some of the stuff I've read lead me to believe that the skin can be quite 'freakish'.  And then of course I needed to find out whether this is the usual outcome.

A bit of flab is just okay with me but I don't want to trade the weight for a 'freakish' flab.

Thank you again for the honest, up-front response.

Have a great day!