Too old for skin to bounce back?
I am 50 years old and about to have a RNY in October....my question is simple: Will my any of my skin be able to shrink with my weight loss? Especially my face, arms and thighs....If I have really good abdominal muscles now (I swim at least 6 miles a week), Will I still need an abdominaplasty, in addition to a panni? Will I just start to look really old and wrinkled? I am 230 pounds now, with a lot of muscle mass, but I have been struggling with my weight all of my life....Thanks!
Angela S.
on 9/23/12 5:07 pm
on 9/23/12 5:07 pm
I had wls 2 yrs ago and my doc thought my skin would bounce back because I was younger, worked out, and seemed to have enough elasticity left in my skin. T It didn't. I'm 33, had a LBL and will have a inner thigh lift next month and then will need my arms done. It's different for everyone. I'd expect loose skin and then if you don't end up with loose skin, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
I was 49 when I had my WLS. I had similar stats to yours. No - my skin didn't bounce totally back - it depends on where you carry most of it.
Expect your stomach skin NOT too - no matter how toned your muscles are, skin doesn't react the same way. You'll have a flap of skin hanging.. If you have one now, expect one after too.
BUT - I don't have any issues with my arms - they bounced back well. My thighs, well... when I was at my lowest they looked like shar-peis, I've put a few lbs back into them (not too happy about it) and they don't look nearly as bad.
My advice to you is to lose your weight, keep it off for 1-2 years, then consider PS. Let your body redistribute as it needs to (and believe me - it will!) If you get real low, allow time to see if you're going to have "bounce back" and see where it goes. A part of your body you HATED before, may not be so bad later.
It also depends on how long you've been carrying the weight. Some folks who haven't been obese for a long time, may still have some good skin elasticity, but it does depend on age, genetics.
Expect your stomach skin NOT too - no matter how toned your muscles are, skin doesn't react the same way. You'll have a flap of skin hanging.. If you have one now, expect one after too.
BUT - I don't have any issues with my arms - they bounced back well. My thighs, well... when I was at my lowest they looked like shar-peis, I've put a few lbs back into them (not too happy about it) and they don't look nearly as bad.
My advice to you is to lose your weight, keep it off for 1-2 years, then consider PS. Let your body redistribute as it needs to (and believe me - it will!) If you get real low, allow time to see if you're going to have "bounce back" and see where it goes. A part of your body you HATED before, may not be so bad later.
It also depends on how long you've been carrying the weight. Some folks who haven't been obese for a long time, may still have some good skin elasticity, but it does depend on age, genetics.
HW-218/SW-208/CW-126/ Lowest Weight-121/Goal-125 - hit 8/23/09/Height-5'3"
Regain 30 lbs from 2012 to 2016 - got back on track and lost it. Took 8 months.
90+/- pounds lost BMI - 24 or so
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
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kathkeb
on 9/24/12 5:14 am
on 9/24/12 5:14 am
I was 54 and 284 when I started. I lost about 130 pounds.
My face is fine. My boobs shrunk and looked like empty tube socks when I was naked, was ok in a good bra.
My upper arms were awful, so I had them chopped off!
my abs were tight (my surgeon said the tightest he had seen in 25 years of performing tucks) but the skin still had to be removed.
I sit in an exercise ball all day to strengthen my core, but there was excessive skin that I wanted removed.
I dropped a pants size with my tummy tuck and am thrilled so the results.
My face is fine. My boobs shrunk and looked like empty tube socks when I was naked, was ok in a good bra.
My upper arms were awful, so I had them chopped off!
my abs were tight (my surgeon said the tightest he had seen in 25 years of performing tucks) but the skin still had to be removed.
I sit in an exercise ball all day to strengthen my core, but there was excessive skin that I wanted removed.
I dropped a pants size with my tummy tuck and am thrilled so the results.
I was 55 when I had my RNY. I lost 130 pounds (started at 307). I'd been overweight most of my adult life. I was the typical yo-yo dieter who lost alot of weight many times and always gained back more than I'd lost. After my RNY I really got into working out but after 18 months stillI had alot of extra skin. Fortunately, I was in a position to be able to take time off from work and after six different surgeries have had most of it removed. If I've learned anything through this process - it's that everyone is different. Good lock to you.