Anyone out there....?

Had a BMI > 50 and did not need a TT or any plastics at all? Please, let me know.

  I think there are few that had a BMI over 50 that don't or won't need some kind of plastics. I feel it comes down more to what you are willing to live with. I had a BMI over 71.1. With clothes on I look just fine. With out clothes I have a tummy that hangs (thighs and arms hang too lol) but that doesn't cause me problems. So for me I guess I don't "need" a tummy tuck because it doesn't cause me problems. But I wont be wearing a bikini to the beach ever again either lol. I wont be having any plastics unless something medical comes up. Everyones skin is different on how it will "bounce back" or not.

Guess its really up to you personally if you need any ( or want any) or not.

Good luck and best wishes!

   

Felicia, I think I've been thinking hard about this loose skin issue. Although, my first priority is to be healthy, I've been fat all my life. I never ever had a chance to wear a bikini at the beach (not that I would wear one), or should I say wear clothes that didn't come out of a big womans store. I just want some time to be normal for once in my life. Thin healthy people just don't naturally have hanging skin. I think my main hangup is having an apron. I always told myself that "if I get that big I don't know what I'll do." Well I'm that big now. I have a small one, but when I lose this weight It'll be even larger. I just don't know if I will be able to deal with that. I know I will need to seek counseling for that one.

Sounds like you have already made you choice to have plastics then =0). There is nothing wrong with that as long as you can either self pay with no problem or your insurance will cover it. I knew before I had surgery that unless medically necessary I would never be able to afford plastics as my insurance wont cover them. I had to have a long chat with myself over WHY I was having this surgery and in the end what was the MOST important part. Feeling good and being healthy or what I was "left with". YES there are days when I want to just hack it off with the closest pair of scissors lol. But it passes and I remember that I am living more today then I have in 15 years. Its all in the mind of the beholder. Besides hubby doesnt mind how I look so I have no real reason to let it bother me either. If that is what you need to feel "complete" then you have made your choice already and you can just add that to your "things I will do" list. If your asking if there is a chance you wont have anything hanging then odds are against you and you will need to start facing that now so its not such a shocker when it happens. I was 427lbs. I am now 201lbs and am "normal" and it didn't take any sucking or tucking to make me feel that way. I shop in Walmart right off the rack and not even in the plus sized section. I fit anywhere and can do just about anything. And best of all no one notices me anymore because I am just "normal". I think you will surprise your self where in your journey you feel "normal" and my guess is it probably will be before you even get to the plastics stage. Get healthy first! Worry about the things you cant control yet when they get here.

*huggles*

You know Felicia, It's ironic that I work in Dialysis and I find myself telling my patients pretty much what I should be telling myself. I find myself encouraging them about this life changing event in there lives. Quite many of them feel really selfconscious about "their tool to help them live longer lives." Some of them have bulging shunts in there arms that may be less attractive to others and may lead others to asking questions and getting in their business. I always tell them what do they care what it looks like or what people think about it, it is saving their lives. Maybe I need to look deeper into what I'm telling them for myself. 

I had a BMI of 66 and went the plastics route and would do more if I could afford it.  My insurance covered a breast reduction and tummy tuck, but I paid for the arms.  I too was obese all my life.  Each of the surgeries helped me emotionally.  The breast reduction and arms were first and helped me feel like I had a fighting chance at looking normal.  The tummy I could hide better with good support garments and clothes.  The arms were really bad and couldn't be hidden.  And the boobs were just too big and I hurt all the time! But surprisingly, it was after the tummy tuck that I had more of a positive reaction.  For the first time, I could begin to feel not just okay but maybe even attractive.  I'm still no "10," but I can now at least feel sexy!   And as much as I thought I would never be one of "those"--I would do a butt lift and a thigh lift in a heartbeat if I could afford them.  I carried a lot of weight in my legs, and they are like tree stumps.  I can hide them in pants, but would love to be able to wear a skirt.  I weigh less now than I did in high school and, in all vanity, I want to look as good as I can to match the way that I feel.   Do I let the excess skin bother me?  No.  It's something I would like to change but even with it, I am still so much better off than with the weight.  But if I ever hit the lottery, man, watch out! Good luck, Sally

Hi, I'm just 6.5 weeks out and am planning on a TT -- my insurance will cover it and I'm saving up for addl plastics as I'm pretty certain I'll need the works. Already with my weight loss this far I have quite an apron and I do get yeast infections underneath.  Niiiiice. I'm having my dr. document this condition in anticipation of seeking approval for the TT. I count the plastics as just part of the journey to feeling good and for me that means looking as good as I can too. -Jas

Jasmine you said, 'Count the plastics as just part of the journey'  I couldn't have said it better. Thank You very much. I know better, but For some reason I was feeling like the journey ends after you reach goal. This is a never ending journey.  All I have to remember is to take one step at a time. I purchase a few books on WLS. and one of them is geared toward the emotional aspect of this journey. It brings up some very good issues that you probably won't think about until after you've had the surgery. It's called "The Emotional First +Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to life After Bariatric Surgery" If anyone knows of any other good books or resources please don't hesitate to drop me line. 

I have just started this journey. I am waiting for my GP to sign my insurance (OHIP) papers to qualify me to get a DS in the USA.  My BMI is like 54.  I am planning on tummy tuck, breat lift and probably thighs. I have been obese all my life so elasticity is pretty non-existant. I also probably will need my arms done! Well, I am preparing myself for all of the above....But.....I will only do what is necessary. It's alot to wrap your head around that's forsure! I know what I have seen. Personally I think I will need the above. But, we'll see what time tells me. I think for me, it is a mental  preparation issue. Prepare for all the plastics and only have which surgery I FEEL IS NECESSARY FOR ME!!

HEY THERE,        I WAS A BMI OF 67 AND AT THE TIME I HAD SURGERY I WOULD HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED PLASTICS ... HECK , UP UNTIL MONTHS AGO I WOULD HAVE NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING IT... BUT THE MORE I LOST THE WORSE MY STOMACH GOT AND COVERED UP THE VAGINA AREA REALLY BAD TILL WAS SAGGING IN THE TOILET AREA... NOT FAR BUT VERY UNSANITARY TO ME.. UGH... AND I JUST HAD DECIDED TO SEE IF INS WOULD PAY AND IF THEY DIDNT I WOULDNT GO ANY FARTHER... SO IN THE END THE INS COMPANY PAYED FOR TT, VAGINA LIFT, AND PANNI REMOVAL... I FELT SO BLESSED I TELL YA.... I CAN SAY IF COULD AFFORD MORE I WOULD... MY ARMS BOTHER ME ALOT WORSE THAN MY POOR LEGS DO.... LIVING IN THE SOUTH IS SAD WHEN YA CANT WEAR AT LEAST A TANK TOP.... MY ARMS ARE WAY TO BAD FOR THAT.... SO GUESS EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT WHEN COMES TO THE END RESULTS BUT MY PANNI HUNG TERRIBLELY EVEN BEFORE SURGERY... YOU CAN TOTALLY SEE IT IN MY BEFORE PIC.... BUT HAVE TO SAY THE PLASTICS MAKE ME JUST FEEL EVEN MORE NORMAL..... I HAVE WORKED SO HARD WITH WLS AND NOW THIS WAS JUST THE REWARD AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY TO ME.... HUGS MARGE