Extra Skin???

Ok what is the deal with the extra skin? Does everyone have to have a tummy tuck, or other procedure to remove the "left overs"? How much of a hang are we talking about here? Is there anything we can do to prevent to much of a hang? Having this surgery is enough for me, I would hate to have a tons of surgeries following it. Just wanting to get other stories, so I have a better understanding of this issue. Thanks Jamie

yeap, sort of. when you stretch your skin out to the max, and then lose it really quickly....it can't go back to the same place or the right place because your understructures are also stretched and then don't lay back. Think of a pleated lamp shade, but larger folds, so that is what we look like underneath. I am going to have my 1st of 3 rounds of plastics done next month. I am having a lower body lift cause all the skin in my buttocks and lower abs, outer thighs, etc... so I am having that first, which will also take care of the tummy. Then I will have my inner thighs done next, then lastly, I am having my deflated boobs lifted and pumped up and an upper arm lift. I have lots of stretch marks too, that are all folded up and its nasty. Lots of insurance companies pay, but mine wouldn't, and I am having to pay out of pocket. I am going to Mexico, and that itself is a long story....you will have to go back to some older posts, as I don't want to bore you, but anyway, he is board certified in plastic and reconstructive plastics in the USA and trained here....just instead of $24k, I am paying $5400 for everything. You will do great. You can get lots of info at www.plasticsurgeryjourneys.com Take care, Deb

Hi Jamie! The answer is a definite "It depends." And it does depend on a lot of things -- your skin itself, your age, how long you've been overweight, how much weight you lose, how your skin bounces back, and, most importantly, I think, how much it bothers you. I'm 43, and I've been overweight since I was in grade school and I've lost 100 pounds (so I still have more to go). I have a good deal of extra skin on my thighs, and slight batwings on my upper arms -- but those can easily be hidden, so I'm not dwelling on them. My tummy is ok for now (though that can change radically and quickly as I get down closer to my goal). What bothers me the most is my neck, because I can't wear turtlenecks all the time, and wimples just aren't the style these days! For some people, just losing weight is enough; others of us go for looking as good as we possibly can. What you need to remember also is that there's no such thing as perfection. The excess weight has damaged our bodies, and that damage won't be undone by losing weight, especially in the case of excess skin. Plastic surgery can only do so much, and will leave scars. I hope this makes sense! Lisa