Excess Skin??

Hi, I'm planning to have the VSG this year (1st consult w/surgeon on 8/2/10) and I'm wondering if I should expect excess skin to be a huge problem. All the videos and photos I've seen in reference to excess skin involve Caucasians. I haven't seen African-Americans discussing this issue, so I wonder if our skin is somehow different and more 'elastic'. Forgive me if my question about black skin vs white skin seem ignorant, but I honestly wonder if ethnicity is one of the factors in determining the amount of excess skin that could result from quick weight loss. 

Have any of you had to deal with the excess skin issue? Was it enough to warrant cosmetic surgery? I'm hoping I don't have to go that route!

Thanks,

There are numerous factors to take into consideration:

Age
Genetics
Actual loss
Rapid loss with little or no exercise.

However, you could be 21, great elasticity genes, lose at a slow/moderate pace and exercise your butt off and STILL end up with extras

Sorry, I forgot to answer your question.

Blacks can have skin issues. Take a look at the Plastic Surgery Forum.

Thanks. I'm not too old--36--and pretty solid, so I'm hoping that exercise will be the key to reducing flab. We shall see . . . 

I was four days shy from turning 37. I was blessed with some pretty good genes.

My body is NO WHERE near perfect, but it's not too bad. My weight loss was rapid but I worked out like a maniac. When I started having health issues, the workouts decreased, they weight loss continued and I started to see some sagging.

Exercising will mos def help with muscle tone. If the plastic fairy knocked on my door and offered me surgery, I would get my tummy tightened and my breasts lifted. Good luck!

I worked out like a fiend even as a no op for about 30 years.  I loose painfully slow.  Less than 100 lbs in well over a year.  I still have a moderate amount of excess skin despite having always been muscular. 

Its not so bad as to make plasics a must; I can easily do fine with out cosmetic surgery.  I doubt I will have any plastics done at all.  Nevertheless, there is no way to loose nearly 150 lbs without skin issues of some sort.  Just hope yours are minor. 

Hi!! Im having my VSG 9-21-12 Im African-American 26 yrs. old I was wondering how you are doing after surgery and if you have had the issue with the extra skin. I heard that african americans dont have this issue with the extra skin as bad as causasians due to the fact that our skin is "more elastic" Just wondering how you were dealing with this issue. Any info would be great. Thanks!!

Every one is different, and there's no way to tell how or if excess skin will affect you.

I have lost 124 pounds since my consult last December.

I still have a way to go and I can see at this point that I will definitely have excess skin around my stomach, thighs and arms.

I'm trying to build up muscle via exercise to compensate.

I can see myself needing plastic surgery at some point.  But the way I look at it it's an unfortunate side affect of leading a healthier happier life. I feel so much better not carrying around another person inside of me.