Excess Skin After Surgery

Hi, I am new to the forums, although I have been reading for about a month. My first appointment is Monday, and I am curious about one thing. For those of you who are already losing significant amounts, is your skin retaining any elasticity and kind of "snapping back" at all? My insurance won't cover plastic surgery at all, so I am curious if you can minimize draping. Thanks so much for your responses. M.

Your BMI is 55, mine was 58. You can see my photo of what I looked like after loosing 230 pounds before my plastics. I was mid-30's when I had my RNY. Hope this helps! www.bariatricbytes.com/recon.html at the very bottom of the page. The ONLY plastics I've had done is a belt lipectomy and had 25 pounds of skin from my belly, hips and buttocks removed.

Dame, Thanks so much for linking the pix... that gives me a realistic idea of the possible outcomes. Yes, saving for plastic surgery or finding insurance that covers would be great, but I could live with not having surgery also. My first visit went well... went to the meeting, met the Nurse Practitioner and they got me in to meet the dietitician. They were all very very positive and friendly. I am feeling more confident in my choice of using OHSU's Bariatric program. Still 2 more hurdles: Psychologist and sleep study. Then the mountainous hurdle of insurance approval lol. Just want to tell everyone that your reasurrance of each other, along with your willingness to share information is inspiring. Thanks much, Michele

Welcome Michele! Good luck on your journey to change. I was 41 when I had surgery two years ago. Age, how long you have been obese, how much you have lost, gentics, all play a part in how you will fare on the skin issue. While I have lots of saggy skin and need/want plastics, I feel that it is WAY more easy to deal with/live with when I compare it to having the weight issue. I was much more distressed the first year about the skin. I felt so motivated by the huge change in myself, that getting the skin taken care of seemed a must! The second year I kind of stopped dwelling on it. It's there, I could look better, but life ain't bad. I wish short cropped tops would get out of style yesterday. The eighties long tops would hide this panni skin good, except eighties fashion really wasn't good! The right bra takes care of the boobs so I am in middle ground for anyone else my age. I have found the right jeans/pants make a big difference - skirts hide it all and shirts can be tucked in. I don't tend to tuck things in with pants, but I can think of several that I can. I wear medium shorts lengths. I stick to short sleeves or longer. Skinny, obese, formerly obese, I think most women over thirty should think twice about sleevless (sorry just my own honest opinion) and I don't plan to ever get to that place again anyways. Thight jeans are the most effective girdle, but I'm not too willing to wear them. The way I look in my clothes, I would guess most would be surprised how bad my saggy skin thing is naked. I was 325 pounds and have lost 177, I am way past qualified to be distressed about it. I still plan to try my hardest to pay for it, but I find being happy with how small I've gotten and how healthy I feel is much more of a big deal than the skin thing.

Patty, I think you look maaaavelous! Even better, you are such a sweet person. Extra skin or not, you are the BOMB!!!! LOL Let's get together soon! Joy

Hey patty--just wanted to comment on how terrific you look. You must be sooooooooo proud you have really acheived a huge loss. CONGRATS : you look terrific.