Age and a LBL?

I agree. In my early 20s I weighed in the 120's, later I gained beyond that, but held steady for a long while at 137-142 or so. Below 130, I too had xylophone ribs. I feel I look pretty thin at 150, but I honestly don't want to be heavier. My first somewhat tentative goal is 150, but I see the wisdom of dropping lower to give myself some latitude to adjust as I transition into maintenance, and as a protection against any year 2-3 regain. It seems better to drop a bit below if possible, then to stop at 150 and from there battle against any regain. But I will see what my body fat % is when I get there! Thanks for your response.

I?m 50 and 5'4 and 135lbs. I had a Dexa scan at 137 which put me at borderline underfat for my age. It was those results that told me to stop. Unless you have a lot less muscle than me, 130 will likely drop you below a healthy fat level. I was in the healthy fat range at 150?s...so I have wiggle room and have maintained My weight for 8 months or so.

For the best results you should look for plastic surgeons who have experience working with bariatric patients. It may cost more, but if you want the best results you may have to pay more. I wanted to look good (not just better) so I went with one of the best, Dr. LoMonaco.

I used to be 200 pounds heavier and had my lower body lift when I was in my mid-40's (I am 51 now). My stomach looks as good now as it did when I was in my 30's. HERE was an old post of mine showing my results (this was 2 months post-op so I was still swollen here).

Do your research. Best of luck!!

Thank you Laura! You look wonderful - I'd be over the moon with a similar result. I will absolutely choose a surgeon specializing in bariatric patients. I look at this as reconstructive rather than vanity surgery, and definitely want the best result possible.

I lost 105 pounds. At age 62, I had a TT and facelift. My arms, thighs and butt are a little saggy but my butt hides under my bathing suit and clothing. The pain and scarring on my arms and thighs probably outweigh the benefits for me (per my PS, backed up by my research). Anyway, the point is that the results were great even at my age. I NEVER in my entire life had a flat tummy. My jowls and chicken neck are gone. Here are some before/after pics.

Liz, you look amazing!

Thank you! You are going to look wonderful and toned with all your swimming! It feels good not to have your tummy jiggling around when exercising and not have to stuff it into clothes.

Liz, thank you for sharing these photos. You look absolutely fantastic! I'd love to have such a flat stomach. I have (or will have - it's the way I'm built) a relatively small waist, but my stomach/abdomen hasn't been flat for a long time. Way back when it was concave! But that was long ago. I'd love to have as flat a stomach as you!

My neck is mostly fine except for my jawline, which has been getting sloppy for a while now - I have developed jowls, which I hate. I would love, love, love to get rid of them! Plus my eyelids have slowly descended until they rest right on my eyelashes. I really would so love to have a result like yours. You look perfectly wonderful!

Thanks for saying that. It was subtle enough that no one realizes I had work done on my face though they tell me I look great. They assume that the skin tightened up after WLS (LOL)! They did ask about my tummy because as I mentioned even in my thinner times over the years I still always had a tummy (which I hated).

I was 55 when I had my VSG and will be at least 57 before I have my plastics done. I'm down about 113 pounds at that point. When I met with the plastics person recommended by my bariatric group (he does a lot of bari patients) and discussed my thighs, his opinion was that the risk did not outweigh the benefit, as his experience has been that there are complications, infection and issues with wound healing in thigh work. Given the number of surgeries he does a year and the major research university hospital which he is a part of, I'm willing to put up with my legs. I see him again next week - trying to decide if I'll do my surgery this year or next.