I don't think I'll ever have plastics

That's awesome! Learning to love yourself is a huge achievement in its self. It's not something a lot of heavier people know how to do. I know I'm still losing, but I want to learn now how to love what I am, not in a years time.

I agree, we all think about it. It's so exciting to finally find some success in losing, and the fear around what your body will look like when it's lost is real. I'm not sure what I'll look like at goal, but I can already see parts of myself I wish I could tuck up. But, I'm a single mom and self paid my WLS. I've begun preparing myself for the fact that plastic surgery may simply be too cost prohibitive for me. Muscle will help, but there's no way it will fix it all. It makes me a little sad, but I feel like this process has been a crash course in loving myself and this is just another part.

I agree. I think a lot of people who were heavy never knew how to love themselves. This is a journey in health mentally and physically. I am learning to feel good about myself and it is a whole new experience for me.

Your responses have been kind and graceful.

"I agree. I think a lot of people who were heavy never knew how to love themselves. This is a journey in health mentally and physically. I am learning to feel good about myself and it is a whole new experience for me."

this^...so true!

This is how I felt when I was early post-op. Actually, I felt this way for probably a good two years post-op. It wasn't until my two year follow up that I really thought about plastic surgery as a thing I would do.

So.. who knows how you'll feel when you reach your weight loss goal, or get closer to it.

I know there's one body builder on the forums who stops by from time to time - I think she still had plastic surgery though.

It is totally a valid choice to NOT have plastics. We all get to do what's right for us :) And what works for us. Since the cost is not small part of the decision!

I am happy for your plastics, I usually read all about your upcoming events in the "Whatcha eating today" posts. You seem like such a nice person and I'm excited for your plastics! I am in no way against people getting them, just for me affording them over providing for myself and grandma is a very unlikely chance. Gotta try and get my head to accept what I'm going to be, and work past it :) However, believe me if I ever could afford them in my future it would be all bets off!

Sure.

Who knows what will happen between now and then. You might end up in a job that provides insurance that will cover the panniculectomy :)

And in case it didn't come across like it - what I'm trying to say is "make your own decisions about what will be best for you, since only you know what that is" combined with "don't set too many decisions in stone now, because who knows where you'll be and how you'll feel in two years."

Because, seriously, I had no idea I'd be where I am now and making these decisions. :D There are plenty of people on OH who have made both choices (plastics and not plastics) and that's one of the things I value about OH. Lots of different experiences to gain insight from!

When I had my DS 14 years ago I swore up and down I would NEVER have plastic surgery. I lost 175 pounds, worked out like a crazy woman (like you said filled my bags with muscle). I worked with a trainer for almost 3 years and learned alot. Actually the first trainer I worked with was a bodybuilder so he had me lifting crazy amounts. About 2 years later I switched to a female trainer and saw a dramatic transformation because her goal wasn't bodybuilding but contouring. It was great but I will admit that I still ended up having a tummy tuck and a breast lift. I managed to get the TT covered by insurance and the surgeon did the breast lift at the same time so all I had to pay was his fee (OR was already covered by the TT).

I would never, ever have any plastic surgery ever again. Recovery (for me) from the TT was awful - so much worse than my WLS. A friend of mine who went to the same WLS, same plastic surgeon, had a completely uneventful and painless TT recovery. You never know.

Do I still have saggy skin - you betcha!

If you're younger your skin can bounce back. I was in the 40's when I had my DS and had been obese my entire adult life so no bouncy skin for me.