EXCESS SKIN?????

I was wondering if people who have lost a lot of weight would like to share their stories about excess skin.  After losing the weight how is your skin?  How much have you lost?  How old are you?  Did you have plastic surgery(or thinking about it)?  If you are exercising while losing weight do you think that has helped any when it comes to the extra skin?  I'm just trying to figure out how people are making out after losing the weight and if their skin has bounced back in any way or not.  I know people who don't have much of the excess skin while others have so much.  If you don't mind sharing I'd appreciate it.  Thanks!!

Hi Jackie,

I'm about 5 1/2 months out and have lost 89 lbs with 31 to go to my goal.  I'm 51.  Batwings and saddlebags have to go as well as the tummy/apron.  I have a turkey neck thing going on also.  After I meet my goal and can stabilize my weight for a year, I'll probably have a face/neck lift, then a lower body lift.  The jury is still out on a breast lift, but I would not discount it.  Have not really thought about my arms yet.

I work out almost daily.  Walk/jog 3 miles/day, 5 days/week.  Zumba (dance aerobics) once a week and yoga twice a week.  I also do a weight circuit 3 - 4 times/week. 

I have been heavy almost my entire life so it came as no surprise that my skin did not bounce back.   A friend who is about 14 months out and lost 80 lbs looks great and does not need PS.

Good luck, Andrea

Andrea, thanks for sharing that info and congrats to you, you go girl!!! I really don't know what to expect my skin to do once I have surgery and lose this weight, guess I'm hoping I'll be one of the lucky ones that doesn't have much of the sagging skin LOL.  I mean I know I'll have some but hopefully (fingers are crossed) it will be minimal.  
And..... WOW you work out a lot, how do you find the time.  Do you find that you do it more now that your weight is down or have you always worked out like that?  Thanks again, Jackie 

I started walking fairly early but it is only the last 8 weeks that I have bumped it up.  Joined my local YMCA, one stop shopping: Zumba, Yoga, weights and treadmills.  Works great for me.  Please do yourself a favor and start exercising before the surgery and don't wait too long before getting back into it post-op.  That was a mistake I made.  Follow your doc's orders to the T.

I actually do try to exercise, mostly my walking.  I do 2 miles on the boardwalk but usually can only get there 3-4 times a week.  I also have an elliptica machine at home but can only manage about 6 minutes at a time, my goal is to improve that time lol. 

Hi Jackie!

Hang in there with the eliptical machine!  I have severe arthritis and was 370lbs when I started my journey and I couldn't stay on an eliptical for even a full minute.  Now one year later I can do 30 minutes at a time and try to get it in 3 times a week (if my arthritis lets me). 

You will definately improve your time - just be patient!!!

Good luck
Vicki

Good for you getting on the elliptical!

The more you do the elliptical, the longer you will be able to stay on it. I started out at 10 minutes and can now do 30. I can do more if I had the time, but at least I get the 30 in.

I'm 5'5" and started out at 257. I'm now 153 and the skin is a bit of a problem, but not as bad as some. Since I carry most of my weight in my stomach and back (apple shape) I have alot of skin issues there. I'm been exercising alot lately and that does seem to help some, but not alot. The insides of my thighs look like elephant legs...all droopy and wrinkly. I can't afford ps now, but I think I would like to try for it next year. I'm very uncomfortable with my body right now.

Hi Rachelle,
You put keyboard to my thoughts: elephant legs.  I'm a pear and carry in my saddlebags and belly but my thighs, ugh!  I figure I'm 2 years from ps but that's ok.  I started at 260, 5'2", now 169.  Working out makes me feel good.  Suppose I get this runner's high.  Cannot imagine that my muscle tone will develop to not needing/wanting ps.  I look far better in clothes!
Are you happy that you did WLS.  Which body was better, more comfortable.  I know we tend to 'grow' into what we have, fat was a shield.  There was some distorted comfort there, now it's gone.
Andrea

Hi Andrea,
Congrats on your weight loss!

I couldn't be happier that I had WLS. I've always had a weight problem, so I never realized how uncomfortable I really was. Now, I move better, I sleep better...I just live better all the way around. The attention to my weight loss is alot to get used to, but I just say "thank you, I feel wonderful" and leave it at that. I'm not used to people commenting all the time on how I look and what I am wearing. It's alot to take in. I keep thinking "wow, I must have really looked horrible before WLS".

I definitely think I look decent in clothes, but naked....OMG, I'm horrendous.