Odd but pressing question!!!!

Okay so here I am looking at brefore and after photos of all you awsome graduates and everyone looks like they must have had plastic surgery too.  I have about 100lbs to loose doc says only 80lbs but still, will I look like a flying squirrel with skin hanging every where in a year?  The doctor says it all depends on skin type and blah blah blah but there has to be some rhyme or reason to it.  I am 26 and want to loose 100lbs over the next year.  The stretch marks I have now are from pregnancy I don't have a lot if any related to weigh gain so dose anyone have a clue what I should expect or at least what happened to them.  If I loose the weight and still flap around in the wind I don't think I am going to be any happier than I am now?  Please Respond!!!

Every step along the way is going to be FANTASTIC.  Trust me!!!  Every step.  You will be amazed by a body that is just a little lighter so that it is easier physically to function.  Then amazed one day by a body that looks good in every outfit you pull of the rack.  Then finally amazed by a body that others admire, desire, want.  Whether you have plastics or not, this will happen.   I had plastics and yes it does feel good.  But I never thought I was "gruesome" pre-plastics.  I just wanted to do it and thought it would inspire me to stay on the right side of eating right, putting me first, and so forth.  It really did do that.  I would say it was HIGHLY motivational to me to keep moving forward.

I have never had plastics. I do have skin issues but I am very fortunate that they cause me no problems, just dont like the way it looks. When I am dressed however you would NEVER know it and the only one who sees me undressed is my DH. He adores me, issues and all. I have just started exploring the possibility of plastics and he is scared for me because of course it can be serious surgery but he is supportive. I dont know  if I will do it or not. I DO KNOW I WOULD NEVER GO BACK TO 374 JUST TO NOT HAVE SKIN ISSUES. I am healthy, have tons of energy and feel great. Good luck!

I have not had any plastics and I'm not sure that I will. I look pretty good in clothes, but naked is far from perfect. I figure that's ok though b/c dh is fine with everything. I lost 170-178lbs (depending on the day, LOL) and I don't have too much hanging skin. My worst hit area was my breasts so I could use a breast lift/implants, but I just buy really good bras and no one even knows its a problem. I have some loose skin on my tummy, upper thighs and upper arms, but its really not too bad so I can live with it. Everyone does bounce back differently~many factors including age, genetics, skin elasticity, etc play a part in this. Also, I was active and exercised before having wls and as soon as I was allowed I began to exercise after wls~I think this helped me to keep things a bit more tone than if I wouldn't have worked out at all.  Good Luck whatever you decide to do!!!!!!!!!!

I've lost 160 pounds since WLS and 190 pounds from my highest weight. I'm 46 years old. I've got some loose skin, but I don't think I'll have plastic surgery. The only time I really notice it is when I'm drying my hair and put my head down, everything sort of falls to the front and I'm looking right at it. I carried most of my weight in my arms, legs and butt, and that's where my problems are now. My puppies actually perked up a little bit when they shrunk. Whatever skin you end up with, you won't miss the weight.

Your age is your best advantage.  My skin was stretched out of shape for 30+ years.  It lost any memory of it's "true" shape.   Also, skin's elasticity is based primarily on its moisture content.  Skin moisturized from the inside out, so drink all the water you can hold.  Your skin will thank you for it.  Also, it may take several months for your skin to tighten up to your smaller body.  Give it some time before you rush into plastics.  You may not need it at all!

I've lost about 108 in this journey (the last 8 since my TT) and about 120 from my highest.  I also had stretch marks and some loose skin at my heavier weights due to a twin pregnancy.  That being said, before my tummy tuck, many people did not think I needed one, but I wanted one and the results were dramatic.  I have pictures on my profile.  By the way, I'm 35 and I had twins, so you may have less excess skin and less stretch marks, though my plastic surgeon didn't think I was in bad shape except for my need for muscle repair.   The boobs will be lifted later.

Congratulations on your surgery. You are making a GREAT step to having your life back. I've lost 145 lbs. and do have "some" excess skin, but it is not causing me any problems so I will not be having plastics. I'm 51 years old and single and I'm the ONLY one looking at the skin. Now granted, it is NOT attractive and I would even be embarrased to wear a swimsuit in public, but I never did wear swimsuits or shorts in my whole life, so that is a SMALL issue to me.  If I could afford it, I might have my arms done because they are the worst, but all the other is just "cosmetic". You are sooooo young that if you exercise and drink plenty of water you might not have a skin problem. Best wishes!!!!!   Piggybabe

Congrats on the surgery!  So much has been said and the bottom line is everyone is different.  I have lost 90 pounds to date.  I lost most of it in months 1 through 8.  In the last ten months, I have lost five pounds and TWO inches around my waist.  Skin continues to tone long after the weight comes off.  My belly is soft and spongy, but the skin isn't folded and hanging.  The boobs are folded and hanging, but I am 48, what did I expect??? Your age is a huge plus.  Lose the weight, deal with the skin IF it is a problem.  Being normal in size and health will give you the tools to deal with anything else that comes along! Keep up the good work!

I have some skin issues, I am not at my "goal" weight yet so *if* I loose the last 15 pounds that I want to loose it might be worse.  The only thing I worried about were my arms and they look great.  I am thrilled with how they look.  I lift weights too, so i have definition in my arms and no sagging issues.  My belly, and thights are a different story.  I don't really care that much, sagging skin comes with WLS.  When I wear a bathing suit I wear a bathing suit top and board shorts.  It works out well because I can cover my problem areas.  I am going on my honeymoon in November and I have to buy a new bathing suit, i am not looking forward to that!   I know that skin elasticity has a genetic component too.  I got my first stretch marks when I was in 8th grade and I was only slightly chubby then, so I expected to have bad sagging issues, but it's not as bad as I expected.  I think it depends where you carry your weight too, I was pretty evenly fat (I swear my forehead was fat, LOL) if you are a pear shape your upper body probably won't have as much sagging as your lower body.

And remember, a good (propper) fitting wardrobe will cover so much.