questions

I will be having bypass surgery in the next few weeks. I am really concerned about excess skin. What is it REALLY like to lose lots of weight at 50? What really happens with the skin, the breasts,and anything else? I am 330 lbs at 5'3"...

Give me the scoop, girls!

Unfortunately age is not a friend of excessive skin. Most people live with it and find ways to hide it (like spanks). A few of us opt to have plastic surgery. I chose the latter and can honestly say I love my body today. Without the skin removal I had "chubby envy" and remember one day saying I'd rather be fat then have all this hanging skin making me feel like I looked 90 yrs. old.

For now, you need to concentrate on getting through one day at a time and then see where you are a year from now. You have made a BIG decision to have WLS to improve your life style and help you live longer. I congratulate you with taking this first step in recovery.

First off, congratulations on reaching this big decision. I am 5'3" also and weighed 377 lbs and was 55 when I had lap RNY almost 6 years ago. My lowest weight was 184 (for about 2 minutes) after I had 17 lbs of excess skin removed 3 yrs post RNY. Mine was pretty extensive and involved a complete lower body lift. It was a big improvement from all of that hanging skin but I still have a lot of loose skin on my upper thighs. Insurance did not help with any of this so it is self pay if you choose to have it done.

 I hang in around 215 these days. I would like to lose more and I know that my tool still works when I choose to work it. I can go and do anything and everything that I want to these days. I walk for miles and miles, travel extensively when the budget allows and play with my grandkids hours on end. I have an abundance of energy and only take a small amount of thyroid medication. I was on 4 prescriptions and a CPAP machine for sleep apnea before surgery.

So, my advice is to take it one step at a time. There are many benefits to the results you will see from having surgery.  If you have it soon, you will be amazed at how different your summer is next year! Worry about the excess skin later. Yes, my arms bag and my breasts are no longer perky (from a 48DDD to a 38 D), I have excess thigh skin. However, most of this can be "contained" in some way. You may be one of those lucky ones who firms up more than most. If not you can deal with it when the time comes. Best wishes to you!

 

 

 

 

Congratulations on making one of the biggest decisions of your life. From experience, you won't be sorry, even with some saggy skin. I'm with Karen, don't worry about that right now. I had my surgery 16 months ago and appear to be where my body wants me. 150-155. (I'm 59 now) I'd love to lose another 10#, but am very happy with my new body. I spend a lot of time on the floor with my grandson now, something I couldn't do a year ago. My breasts sag, but have never been 'perky' even as a teenager, just not in my genes. My tummy is saggy as are my thighs. The tummy can be held in with support panties, and the thighs are hidden under my jeans or capri's in summer. I bought a bathing suit that has the little boy pants and it covers enough of the sag that I'm not self conscious about it. The health benefits far out weigh the cosmetics. I was an insulin dependant diabetic, I now take zero meds for that and am no longer considered diabetic. I am off my high bloodpressure medication as well as my high cholesterol meds, acid reflux meds and my meds for depression. I only take two meds now for thyroid and head tremors. The rest of the pills I take are vitamins and minerals. I don't think I've ever felt better. My doctor (internist) couldn't be happier with my progress.
Good luck with your surgery. I know you won't regret one minute of it.l

I was 64 when I had my surgery almost 3 years ago. I am almost 67 now with very little excess skin. Yes, my boobs hang but what 67 year old doesn't!! I have excess skin on my tummy but none on my butt. My inner thighs look bad and I have very small bat wings. After losing 175 pounds I am very happy with my body. Yes, PS would be nice but it's not happening and since my husband has loved me through thick and thin, this is it. I have been blessed with very good skin and you won't know what you will be like until you get there. But know that excess skin is well worth the health and everything else that comes with the weight loss.

Good luck to you.
Sandy