where does the skin end?

So, my question is this: How do you know what's loose skin, and what is fat?

I'm coming on three years post op, and feel quite healthy. I do 1hr of yoga 5 times a week, eat what I should--not what I shouldn't. I am really happy with the status of my legs and arms/shoulders. They're toned, and I'm comfortable saying it.

BUT...

I've got that wicked skin-fold that begins to the back of my sides, and "smiles" all the way in front. If I suck up my stomach, I see my ribcage. It also "oozes" to the front when I lay on my side. How can I tell what's skin and what is still fatty?

I know I have loose skin on my inner thighs, and back. But I'm not sure about how much of this is skin.

I've been looking for a place to do a hydrostatic weight, but can't find one w/in 150 miles.

that's about it...rambly as it is.

...oops. I forgot to mention. I was running 2 miles a day for the past 12 weeks. I didn't loose a pound. No, not even a 1/2 a pound. GRRRRR. My lowest weight ever post-op was about 15 pounds lighter than I am now, but I have put on a lot of muscle since then.

I'm really focussing on core muscles now, trying to suck up my tummy-flexors.

I don't have your situation, but I think the best person to judge your condition is your primary doctor.  Hopefully you see him/her often enough for him to have seen the changes in your body.  He may be able to do tests to check on fat content.  Or, he may be able to simply assess your body by feeling the rolls of skin or fat.  You don't seem to have any complaints about itchiness so that's one problem you don't have to worry about.  When it does come time for you to have any type of plastic surgery, most insurance will require a referral from your primary anyway.

honestly you probably have very little fat and a whole lot of skin. I lost 300 lbs, and thought that they'd remove 30 lbs of skin off of me at least...my body looked like an elephants asshole. BUT after surgery, lo and behold, they only pulled off 8 lbs of skin. There was no fat left, just droopy skin.

Go to a plastic surgeon, and get a few opinions, most of the time your insurance company will pay for a LBL or at least a TT if you've lost over a 100 lbs.

BTW 5 days a week of yoga? Do you do it in a studio or at home?

Scott

Hey Scott!
I do yoga at a local studio. I love it! I check my three-year old into the playschool and walk over to the studio for an hour of yoga, and an hour of meditation/showering/steam room w/e. Then it's off to stay-at-home daddy chaos.

What is an LBL? I'm guessing a TT is a tummy tuck.

a LBL is a lower body lift. (basically a tummy tuck that goes all the way around). It reshapes your waist area and gets the love handles that go all the way around to the back. It gives you that cinched waist look, esp when combined with an anchor cut. (the upside down T that goes right up your mid section).

Scott

PS you should check out the PS forum on OH

...my body looked like an elephants asshole.

I can't answer your question specifically as I'm only a little under 2 years out. I quit losing from the surgery about 30 lbs shy of what I really probably ought to weigh, and I haven't lost any since then, so I still have some fat in the usual places. Gut and love handles. I know it's fat. There's no question for me whether it's fat. Shoulders, upper back, and ass are all bony as hell though.  I'm determined to lose down to about 225 and then I might have something to add  to the conversation.