Does Every WLS Patient Have To....

Do all WLS patients necessarily have to end up with saggy skin? Wouldn't the youngins' have more elasticity that older people? Wouldn't potatoe shaped people like me, who have all of their weight in their middle, just have extra excess skin on their tummies? Does it depend on how much weight you have to shed to begin with? Can anyone escape this or does it just go with the territory? Just wondering. Peace, Diane

Diane, No one really know until you get there... I am sure being younger has to help since the skin might be in better shape but it really depends on so many things. I did not want to think I would have to deal with it but I DO! Not as much in my panni as others but I carried my weight in my butt so I am in need of that part to be done big time but also working now on getting my arms done. They bother me so much since I carried so much weight there as well. I wish the best hun. Debra P

Hi, I really do not have that much saggy skin. Mind you I have alittle on my belly(I also had a C-section) but not enough for me to be digging for another surgery. Good luck!

Hi Diane, I can only speak from my own experience. I am 31, I have lost 100lbs and I have terrible sagging skin in my tummy. I am actually having a Tummy Tuck w/ Lipo in 15 days. I always carried all my weight in my middle and because of that, my legs are find and my back side is fine, so I don't need a Lower Body Lift. I do know people who with the right amount of exercise have much tighter skin than others, but the reality is they still have some sagging skin. Best of Luck, Ilyssa

Hi Diane Excess skin comes with the territory. Especially if you are older and your skin has been stretched out for years and because of the rapid weight loss, you cannot work it off either. Most inisurances will cover a tummy tuck but nothing else. So for someone who has it all in the stomach, they most likely will have coverage for a tummy tuck. Skin removal is cosmetic even though is from being overweight. The only other thing that you can get covered may be your legs. But thats a big fight with in surance companies. You have to log and photograph all skin rashes etc and document everything with your PCP and surgeon. Without that, you don't stand a chance. But that is 18-24 months down the road after surgery. Just worry about losing the weight and getting healthy before you worry about sagging skin. I personally would rather deal with sagging skin that be over 300 pounds. Marie

Diane: Wit WLS the norm is there is no norm, what is typical is many have differeing degrees of excess skin. Age, gender, preg status, postop eating, fluids, exercise may all factor into it among other things all u can do is eat your protein sip water and exercise. I tell people the excess skin may be one of the most distressing s/e of WLS/wt loss, but you either fit in your skin or not, and not fitting in it is much healthier than fitting in it! You can cut off the excess, which is what I did w/ LBL and or fillit out (with breast augmentation), mine was cosmetic, I didnt have alot I could of lived w/o PS but I was worth the body recontouring and I feel and look much better m, they cut off 4-53 skin in my LBL some have 10-20# removed...worth every penny I paid for the LBL/breast aug and thigh lipo, $15K TOTal. Some insurances will cover a panniculectomy (removal of skin in front apron) some upgrade to a tummy tuck whcih included muscle tightening and some to a LBL wichi includes thigh and butt lift (outer thigh) so you have a scar around waist. Breast reductions can be covered if enough tissue to remove arms and breast lifts typically are not and neither are thigh lifts (inner). Find what is right for you, only time will tell. Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45 before Surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"