extra skin, can anyone relate?
I've been post-op for more than 10 years. I went form 378pds to 165pd. now I’m up to 215 I want to get back to 180 where I was comfortable. Only thing is the extra skin when I was smaller it was worse and now that I’ve gained weight it's not as prominent. But it makes dating really difficult and has made me very self conscience about my body or being in front of a guy naked. People say I’m not as bad as some but that doesn’t reassure me at all. Dealing with rejection because I was too big and dealing with this because of the skin issue is a new one. I don't make enough money to pay for the surgery because it's considered cosmetic. So I feel I’m just stuck with one extreme body type to another. As if I traded one complex for another. I have a friend who can relate, but I don't ever see anyone really talk about this, so I just don't want to feel alone and need help coping. Don’t get me wrong I’m not riddled with depression or on the edge of the cliff because over the years I have just dealt with it and just take the chance that I will be accepted for just being me. I‘ve had relationships since my surgery and had guys that just got used to it or just didn’t care about it. But it was far and in between. Just need to know I’m not alone.
True words of wisdom, Sharyn. I am down 91 lbs. since my surgery eleven months ago. I have about 25 lbs. to go and thankfully I won't require any type of pani surgery or anything like that. However, I did have serious issues with blood pressure and trust me, dealing with extra skin is a whole lot better than dealing with a life threatening condition such as hypertension or diabetes...
EF
EF
It made me very self conscious. I couldn't wait to get rid of it, and had a full abdominoplasty in Nov. 2007. I had gone from 328 to 175 and believe me, I was all belly and thighs. Now I still have the thighs but I can at least see the body parts I hadn't seen in years, lol.
I know I should love myself, it shouldn't be an issue, etc. but it was. I might always have self-image issues. I just had to have a revision to my original RNY due to a problem with the stoma, and my first thought was "oh great, there goes that flat tummy." Silly, I know. It's better to have it done than to sit there causing long-term health problems.
If you want to get it done at some point, got for it, so many people do. If you can prove rashes in the skin folds most insurance will cover it, but they won't cover it just because it hangs. If you're looking for a lower-cost option, you can get things done at Columbia Presbyterian or NYEE through the residency program. I can get the info for you if you want. Crazy me went to Mexico but the lower body came out great.
No matter what, rejoice in the success of your weight loss, and put out positive vibes. You'll find someone who loves you for you. We all have our flaws, and I wouldn't want to be with someone who would reject me because of skin or scars, that's not the sum of who I am. Believe in your specialness.
I know I should love myself, it shouldn't be an issue, etc. but it was. I might always have self-image issues. I just had to have a revision to my original RNY due to a problem with the stoma, and my first thought was "oh great, there goes that flat tummy." Silly, I know. It's better to have it done than to sit there causing long-term health problems.
If you want to get it done at some point, got for it, so many people do. If you can prove rashes in the skin folds most insurance will cover it, but they won't cover it just because it hangs. If you're looking for a lower-cost option, you can get things done at Columbia Presbyterian or NYEE through the residency program. I can get the info for you if you want. Crazy me went to Mexico but the lower body came out great.
No matter what, rejoice in the success of your weight loss, and put out positive vibes. You'll find someone who loves you for you. We all have our flaws, and I wouldn't want to be with someone who would reject me because of skin or scars, that's not the sum of who I am. Believe in your specialness.
I had thigh lipo, hernia repair and lower body lift, and it cost me 7500. Add in travel (flew to San Diego, then took the trolley to Tijuana), food, and lodging and it was 10K total.
I hear prices are even more competitive now because business is not all that great with the recession. There's a plastic surgery message board called PSJourneys . com where people talk about surgery in Mexico and other countries. They also have a list of PS residency programs in the US.
I hear prices are even more competitive now because business is not all that great with the recession. There's a plastic surgery message board called PSJourneys . com where people talk about surgery in Mexico and other countries. They also have a list of PS residency programs in the US.
I hear ya, and no, you're not alone. Facing the same thing here as I continue to drop. I'll be so glad to not be dragging around my bigger body that I hope I can deal with some of the "collateral damage" such as skin, soft belly etc.
I'm having an elective pani done in March cause my panus is huge and limits mobility. In that regard I totally hear your pain, cause I find that part of my body embarassing, can't hide it and so on. Like you it's something I've dealt with a long time and somehow just get by. Having a partner that loved my big size helped.
Sorry I'm rambling and unfocused, really just wanted to send support. You're a very handsome, and apparently shrunken (lol) guy, and I hope you find strength to push on given the new issue bothering you. Makes me think of that old wisdom about treating everyone well because everyone is carrying a heavy load, even if we can't see it. Best to you and Happy New Year.
Mike
I'm having an elective pani done in March cause my panus is huge and limits mobility. In that regard I totally hear your pain, cause I find that part of my body embarassing, can't hide it and so on. Like you it's something I've dealt with a long time and somehow just get by. Having a partner that loved my big size helped.
Sorry I'm rambling and unfocused, really just wanted to send support. You're a very handsome, and apparently shrunken (lol) guy, and I hope you find strength to push on given the new issue bothering you. Makes me think of that old wisdom about treating everyone well because everyone is carrying a heavy load, even if we can't see it. Best to you and Happy New Year.
Mike
For last year's words belong to last year's language.
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
T.S. Eliot
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
T.S. Eliot
I can definitely relate.
I started at 292 in April 09 and am down to 173 in just 8 months which is almost 120 lbs.
I work out a lot and was not obese my whole life so I was spared some of the skin but its still bad.
I have excellent insurance at work and it covers skin removal up to 20k which is very generous. This is only because my company has over 25, 000 employees so I know its unusual as I don' t need to prove medical necessity.
I have seen 3 plastic surgeons who all agreed I would be fine with a mini tummy tuck and getting my arms done and perhaps a butt lift. The last one I saw wants to inject fat into my face from lipo as I do look a bit gaunt.
I am having the hardest time waiting as my addict self wants to do it now when I am not even 9 mths out but everything I have read says to wait at least a year and be stable.
The scary thing is all the dr's have agreed to do it now as they don' t want me to lose anymore.
If you can afford any thing, there is a dr in mexico called Dr Sausalito that many of the people on the plastic surgery board are using and his prices are much cheaper than the US. It includes your flight there as well as hotel stay to recover. I would do that if I didnt have insurance.
I have been to embarressed to have sex or even date due to my extra skin and am more self conscious about it than I expected so I can't wait to get rid of it although I hear the pain is much worse than the RNY.
Good luck to you and Happy New Year!
Kevin
I started at 292 in April 09 and am down to 173 in just 8 months which is almost 120 lbs.
I work out a lot and was not obese my whole life so I was spared some of the skin but its still bad.
I have excellent insurance at work and it covers skin removal up to 20k which is very generous. This is only because my company has over 25, 000 employees so I know its unusual as I don' t need to prove medical necessity.
I have seen 3 plastic surgeons who all agreed I would be fine with a mini tummy tuck and getting my arms done and perhaps a butt lift. The last one I saw wants to inject fat into my face from lipo as I do look a bit gaunt.
I am having the hardest time waiting as my addict self wants to do it now when I am not even 9 mths out but everything I have read says to wait at least a year and be stable.
The scary thing is all the dr's have agreed to do it now as they don' t want me to lose anymore.
If you can afford any thing, there is a dr in mexico called Dr Sausalito that many of the people on the plastic surgery board are using and his prices are much cheaper than the US. It includes your flight there as well as hotel stay to recover. I would do that if I didnt have insurance.
I have been to embarressed to have sex or even date due to my extra skin and am more self conscious about it than I expected so I can't wait to get rid of it although I hear the pain is much worse than the RNY.
Good luck to you and Happy New Year!
Kevin
RNY 4/27/2009 Highest weight 296 Current weight 175 .!
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