summer and saggy thighs

Hi, I am new to this board - 16 months out and below goal weight. I look pretty darn good in clothes, but summer is coming and I have this terrible saggy skin (Ithink it looks like loose elephant skin). It is only on my inner thighs; the fronts are okay and the backs look great, but I keep zeroing in on the inner. I have always been a water and beach girl, and now I have the body for a swim suit, but my thighs look scary.  What do you all do? I am 55 and I thought I wouldn't get plastics because women my age are sagging anyway. Do you wear shorts and swimsuits? Is it true that no one will notice it like I do? I bought some not0so0long shorts and some of the saggy skin shows. Do I wear them? Will people be repulsed? What do you do? Thanks a bunch, nancy

I sure hope people aren't repulsed! I plan on wearing my shorts and enjoying myself...the rest of the folks out there aren't so perfect either. If nothing else, this wls journey is teaching me that I am ok just as I am, if someone else has a problem with how I look, then it is just not my problem. We have worked so hard to get here, we deserve to revel in our success!

I have bicycle shorts that I wear, they are black and come to just above my knees. they are spandex and have lots of support for me. They cover the sagging skin plus they cover tats from my late 20's that I would love to have removed but that is very expensive so I just cover with the shorts and wear bathing suit over top.

Hi, First off, a great big welcome to one of the best support boards on OH.   I'm not even near goal yet, but I have the skin sagging on my thighs and I'm proud of it!  I'll just tell you that the tack I've taken over the last 5 or so years is this, if they don't like the scenery here, there's lots of other scenery to be enjoyed.  I could care less what other people are repulsed by, don't get me wrong, I won't be wearing inappropriate things with my saggy skin, but the bathing suits I am wearing and I recently made a trip to Florida and bought two suits while there, have those little skirts, it helps me feel comfortable and that's what matters most.  You've worked hard to get where you are, celebrate your victory in any way that YOU ARE COMFORTABLE!  Besides once the legs are tan a little bit, it really doesn't look all that bad IMHO. . . Hugs, Laureen

Hi Nancy, you put your swim suit on, or your shorts or what ever you want to wear, a big smile on your face and go proudly forth.  Yep, we all have the sagging skin, some more than others.  Me?  belly, arms, legs and 36 double d extra long "girls".  Bothers me too, but I figure if I could put a bathing suit on at 300+ lbs I can put one (that happens to be a size 12) on and go forth.  If people don't like it, don't look!  (JMHO).  Enjoy your new you!

Nancy.....I know how you feel. I have always had nice shapely legs. I really didn't want to lose there but I have anyway. I have saggy skin on my inside thighs and it is really depressing me. I am so much smaller now but I miss my nice legs. I am going to wear shorts but they won't be any short ones. Thank goodness this year longer shorts are in. As for a swimsuit...yes ...but I don't know what I am going to do about the thighs. I guess I will have to wear shorts over my swimsuit. If I sound vane then so be it. The rest of my body is okay....its just the leg thing...UGH!!! I am in a size 2 and 4 pants and was in a 20s so what do I expect. Surgery is not an option....insurance doesn't pay for thigh surgery. I have already checked. Good luck in what ever choice you make. These are just my opinions and I don't mean to suggest anything to anyone else. Hugs, connie d

If the saggy skin really bothers you, you can still have plastic surgery done on your legs. We had a board certified plastic surgeon give a talk at a recent support meeting. People with large weight losses have special needs when it comes to plastic surgery, so you need to find a surgeon with a lot of experience. Due to the stretched skin from obesity, the skin is thin and requires specialized techniques and instruments. This surgeon performed surgery on 70 WLS patients this past year, far more than most plastic surgeons. If you want name or number, send me a private message.

Wow, thanks to all of you. I think I may like this board. I am kind of a mixture of you all. I am 5'10 and I did wear shorts when I weighed 300 pounds. With my long legs, I thought they looked good on me and capri legs were so wide, I looked like a tree stump. But now, capri legs fit my legs, but I still love shorter shorts. I hope I have the nerve to go out in them and see what people say. I teach high school, and kids can be very honest. I just may try it on them first. I hope we all have a sunny, outdoorsy summer. Thanks for the courage and support. nancy

Hi Nancy, What a pain, huh? I'm only 5 months out, but the sags are surely coming. My problem area right now is my upper arms, but I'm sure I'll be lamenting my legs too given a bit more time. For myself, I'm going to camoflauge what I can, but not miss out on anything because of my saggy skin. I will wear my bathing suit, shorts, etc., when they are needed to be comfortable or to fit the occasion. And plastic surgery is possible for me if I decide it's worth what it will cost- in pain, money, and down time.  Julia