Laura, Plastics depend on so many different things: Where you carry most of your weight, whether youve had children, stretch marks and skin elasticity, how quickly you gained/lost weight in the past, how and what you exersize with, and genetics. Some people are just blessed with good skin and muscle tone and can bounce back without any effort. And there are so many other things that can affect it. For instance I'm 23 and will definately need a tummy tuck when I'm done. But I would have needed one anyway. When I was 17 I got pregnant and weighed 150. By the time I delivered my daughter I was up to 253. When she was 4 months old I had lost back down to 189 and low and behold I was pregnant again! So I got up to 240 with my second daughter. I was never able to keep the weight off after that. I went from 240 to 150 in about a year after giving birth, but the weight just came back and I finally ended up at 260 by the time I had surgery this February. I have stretch marks galore on my abdomen so the elasticity in my skin is pretty much gone due to al the rapid gains and losses Ive had over the last 6 years. I'm back to 177 right now and the skin is not terrible. It doesnt hang or anything so I'm lucky there, but it will never be flat again without plastics. My breast are in good shape all things considered. Ive gone from a 44DD to a 34D and they arent "deflated" looking or anything (amazing since I breast fed both kids). I might still get a breast job, just to perk the girls back up, but only if I get to a B cup. If I get to a C and they still look decent I'll let em be. My arms are doing fine, no batwings or anything (I always carried my weight in my middle anyway) and my thighs are okay also. If I worked at em more they could look better, but I'm still getting to them. So really my stomach is my main area of concern, which all in all I can live with since it doesnt overlap or hang down. I'm not too worried about it, I can deal with the loose skin, but my grandmother god bless her, has promised to get me a tummy tuck for a Christmas present when I've been at goal (at least 135, I'm 5'5) for a year. But I can deal with my stomach if it doesnt happen. Ive given birth to two beautiful girls and its worth my "battle scars". I know that if I hadnt gained and lost and then regained all that weight in such a short period of time my skin would be more elastic and I would probably not need it. Like I said it depends on how you gained the weight, how long youve carried it, and so many other things. Me I could do 5000 situps a day and that flat tummy just aint gonna happen, Ive already been told that the muscles underneath will have to be tightend when I get the tummy done. Plastic surgery is a relatively common precdure these days so I'm not too worried about it. Boobs can be lifted and enhanced and stomachs flattend so I'm going for it if I decide I need it. But since I'm relatively close to my goal(40pounds) I dont think it will be much worse. At least I'll be healthy and hopefully thin so thats the main thing to worry about. Every person is so different that you really just have to wait and see. Good luck with your surgery and recovery! This is the best thing Ive ever done for myself and I dont regret a minute of it! Krystle

And also...what about pizza? lol like i guess maybe you would have to take off the cheese?

Had gastric bypass June 1st, 2005. Started at 201 Weighing 172 now Total Loss: 29

Congrats to you Heather!!!! I knew that you could go through this tough process. I am so excited for you!!!!!! I hope everything else runs smooth and you can get your surgery soon, keep in touch gurlie!!!!!! Finda Nessy

Well, I had the band, but my surgeon requires bands and rny's to follow the same dietary guidelines. After 3 weeks of liquids and 5 weeks of soft foods, i started with more chicken and cheeses. Not sure if you are talking about the mushie food stage or the regular foods. With mushies I had eggs, ham, very finely chopped chicken with mayo...things like this. Cheese and crackers went down great. GOOD LUCK! *megan*