Would love to hear from you all.......

I am considering the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I have lost over 100lbs before on my own and was only a mere 25yrs old yet was so unhappy with the results which was slack skin. Now I'm 42 and now three kids later need to lose it once again. This time however I have type 2 diabetes and have had two back surgeries due to a car accident. I need to lose the weight for my diabetes and health in general.....but knowing what will face me with regards to the sagging skin is putting me off bigtime. I know I'm vain.......but I gotta tell you I couldn't wear certain fashions because of the sagging stomach and arms...yuck.

But since I need to do this and since there is hope that this particular procedure will cure my diabetes I must move forward.

I would love to hear from any of you who have battled the bulge and ended up with sagging skin, flappy arms, saggy butt........thin face which has aged you.

After the happiness subsided because you lost the weight......did you feel like you still loved yourself facing all that other stuff that comes from being fat for so long?

I have to say that knowing this will happen is more daunting to me than getting that operation to lose the weight. I know how much exercising you have to do and that won't fix it all.

So how many of you did get plastic surgery or are seriously considering it? If you did have it, what procedures were done and what great advice did you get from the surgeons, staff, friends who have undergone what you have?

I would love to hear total honesty here.......this is a big move for me......

Thanks so much,
Rose

Well I'm going to be honest and it's not to scare you it's because I wish people had been more honest with me instead of this all is great and skin is better then fat bull that people like to spew. I thought I failed because my dr's didn't even really say much about the skin they just kind of brushed over it so after losing all that weight I still couldn't look at myself naked in a mirror without feeling disgusted with my body and with myself for allowing myself to destroy my body the way I did. By the time I went in for plastics the skin was so loose and saggy I felt more comfortable naked at 350 pounds I hated taking showers because it was the only time I allowed myself to be completely naked and looking down made me want to cry. The truth is losing all that weight is amazing and well your losing it your going to feel great but when you reach the end and that battle is no longer in front of you the skin will be your next battle. I felt like I was carrying around the old me and it killed me. However it is worth it and being prepared should make it easier. Start thinking now about how your going to fix the skin problem theres so many ways and so many option you can make it happen. There are residency programs which is what I went through and I had a TT where they cut me all the way around and up the center of my abdomen it was only $7,500 and that included everything they did an amazing job and if I had gone straight to the surgeon that was in charge of my surgery it would have been over a 20k surgery. I still have issues with my thighs and I plan on getting my breasts and arms done but if I never get anymore plastic surgery I'm happy and feel complete now that the apron of skin is gone. Things have changed a lot with insurance companies the past few years you may be able to get it covered if not this is the rest of your life so if you can get a second job and slowly save the money I know it's hard with kids but make yourself a priority and even if it takes years eventually you will get there and finally feel normal and know you accomplished something huge. I will say though even without the plastic surgery the weight loss for your health is absolutely worth it just be prepared and realistic about the skin and it sounds like you already are.

I am down 90lbs...10 more to go.  I will take hanging skin of gross fat any day of the week!  I look great in clothes.  Naked..not so much...BUT....I looked like an absolute huge fat slob both naked and in clothes.  So I think it's all good.

If I can't ever afford plastics...I am ok with it.  If I can find a way to make it happen plastics that would be good too!

...did you feel like you still loved yourself facing all that other stuff that comes from being fat for so long? Going into this, I always felt that I would be grateful solely for weight loss and not ever want plastics. I love my body, but had put it through the wringer going up and down with my weight and then finally losing 167 lbs. with RNY. I am a workout fanatic and no matter how much hard work I put in, the skin was most unattractive to me.

So how many of you did get plastic surgery or are seriously considering it?  Yes, I had it.

If you did have it, what procedures were done and what great advice did you get from the surgeons, staff, friends who have undergone what you have? I had a lbl and ba/bl. I had a consult with my wonderful surgeon, Dr. John LoMonaco, after reading his book on bariatric plastic surgery and never looked back. He was honest with me about what could and could not be done and what I could realistically expect. He is an artist with the scalpel and needle and did a beautiful job, taking 5 lbs. of skin off the front and 2 off the back.  The girls look like they belong to a 20 year old.
 
I want to have my arms and side of chest done with him at some point in the future for my stage 2.

All the best to you. The journeys we've taken with the wls and then ps aren't always the easiest, but they're truly worth every step.

Oh ladies....thank you so much for being honest with me. I live in Canada so the surgery is free for me...but I may wait up to a year before I will ever get it...not sure if I can wait a  year. My diabetes won't allow that time constraint. I am seriously considering joining nutrisystem as they have a diabetic plan. I lost my 100lbs before using this program and had the weight off for 5yrs until my 3rd unexpected pregnancy and my husband's injury at work and his subsequent back surgery then five yrs of him back in universitiy. I let myself go....went to the back of the line and had depression for years. I've woken up and it's like I was in a coma all those years....not anymore. I am told by many that I don't look fat from behind....it's all in my stomach......it's friggin gross but the plastic surgeons around here won't do anything. So if I can take off another 50lbs I may be able to get the tummy tuck and that would enough for me. I'm 5'7 and weigh 254 and in a size 18/20......I would be happy with a size 12/14......my issue is my stomach...if that were gone I would be happy. To me having this surgery is a huge step......if I didn't have diabetes I wouldn't even consider it.....still not sure to be honest.

Gosh......why does life have to be so freakin hard?

Hi, Autumn,


You're right, your skin *will* sag.  How much varies from person to person as you well know.  I've lost a lot of weight a couple of times, and this last time left me with more sag than before.  However, at 57 yrs. I'd probably sag some anyway. But, I feel great and wear a size 12/14 and think I look good in clothes. 
I'm planning PS now and it will be extensive. Face, neck, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, legs, arms..... a total body lift!!! But it will be worth it. 

Now, you *know* you need to do this for your health.  Your appearance *will* benefit too.  Look at the bariatric surgery as one step in a process.  Research shapewear-it's come a long way and will do wonders for your figure while waiting for PS.  Be glad you live in Canada.  It makes those extra layers (of
shapewear) less uncomfortable!  Here it's HOT!!!!!!!  3/4 length sleeves are our friends 

You can still love yourself.  Look at the progress you're making.  Become more fashionable-yes you can!  Are you a good person? mother? friend? Rejoice-you are far ahead of many people.  You can use the insight gained by this experience to demonstrate compassion to others.  You sound like an intelligent, perceptive and caring person.  The fact that you are able to articulate these concerns demonstrates your innate thoughtfulness. 

This board is wonderful-a regular treasure trove of info.    Look for the most experienced people and ask them for advice.  They are very generous.  So far, they have not let me down. You CAN do this.   Be blessed

Lauralisi

Hi Rose,
  I had VSG in 2007 and have never made a better choice in my life !! Yes there is lookin in the mirror at the battle scars of battling obesity...the aftermath. But honestly...was I any happier fat?? HELL NO!! Atleast i can tuck this stuff into my clothes and feel like a human being and not Jabba the Hut!!
There are a lot of raw nerves that uncover with losing weight...we didnt get fat because we were happy...and I highly recommend getting therapy. I love my therapist she really helps me to deal with how i feel about life. My life.

I am finising my tale next month... having a fleur de lis tt and my boobies reduced. I feel after all this time I have finally figured out how to deal with the lil fat girl inside of me...she still lives there and always will but she will just be the part of me that is loving and is accepting of people no matter their size creed or prefference ...because she knows how it feels to be different.

Get that VSG girl its fantastic!! U will never regret it...never!!