Hi everybody! Well, I am 19 years old and I got the Lap-Band surgery in March of 2006. I weighed 285lbs. Today I weigh about 150 and I'm still losing. I am only 5'1 so my goal weight is around 130. I am considering plastic surgery (especially a tummy tuck) to fix my excess skin. I am having a little trouble deciding whether or not to go through with the surgery. Besides my stomach, I also have excess skin on my arms, breasts, and inner thighs. Everyone is giving my complimants about my recent weight loss, even though it is nice to hear, I am still uncomfortable with my body.  Please help! Thanks, Jen

hi jen just a suggestion coming from an old lady -- i think i would wait on the plastic surgery -- only because you may have children -- and being pregnant will stretch out your stomach -- i think i would go for the arms and breast implants to fix that skin -- but i think i would hold off on the tummy  i am still uncomfortable with my body -- but then i look at ross's body and he has more hanging skin than me -- then i don't feel so bad anymore ;)  do alot of research on plastics -- doctors and hospitals -- if they have done plastics on someone who has had WLS -- lots of questions  get your PCP to write notes on your chart about the excess skin and how you get rashes and everything -- in order for insurance to cover it  -- it will have to be medically necessary -- or else you are paying for it yourself  good luck :)  Roberta

Jennifer, I agree with Roberta, not the part about being an old lady, Roberta is pretty cool lady, but about waiting and seeing what your body will do.  But absolutely document everything.  That is the only way that insurance will pay.  Also, just so you can hear it from a professional, ask your surgeon who the team uses for their plastics and make a consultation appointment.  Insurance will usually pay for the consultation and the PS can tell you what you will need and when it would be a good time to have it.   I am a billion years older than you and I am going to have my second panni this winter.  If I ever get to goal I will probably need another as well as all the others that you mentioned.  It is still surgery and risky so please choose carefully what you want to put yourself through. Good luck to you.  You are a very brave young woman.  Congratulations on your success. Jeanne

We had a plastic surgeon lecture at our support group this past month. He recommened waiting until you are done with your weight loss in fact to wait 4 months with no weight loss. You don't want to have surgery to remove excess skin and then lose more weight and have more excess skin. It is a very personal decision and certainly getting a few opinions from a few plastic surgeons would be acceptable.