Protecting against 'excess skin'...

Hey everyone,

I'm on my way to a surgery date. I've started my pre-op education (part of my surgeon's program). Around the 2nd of July, I'll have finished the program and start the bloodwork and tests. I'm thinking by the end of July, I'll get a surgery date for sometime in August or September.

In the meantime, I've been researching ways that may help keep loose skin to a minimum. I asked the surgeon directly if I would have issues with that, and he immediately answered "No." I am 21 years old and 5'9". I've always had pretty taut skin, even at my higher weight, so it was reassuring to hear the surgeon himself explain that I probably won't have problems with it.

Just in case, I decided to look into using something like cocoa butter or a drug store lotion that promotes elasticity. I picked up Curel's 'Pregnancy and Motherhood'. The ingredients include collagen and elastin. So far, so good. I feel a little more 'put together' already.

So, do you guys think that starting early like this could give me a bit of an advantage after surgery? I know that another factor is genetics, and I've got some pretty solid parents who are aging gracefully. Also, what have been your experiences? Do you think that loose skin is inevitable no matter how much you prepare?

Thanks!

When I was pregnant, I used the body butters and creams.  I ended up with the softest, smoothest, stretch mark ridden, stretched out belly you'd ever want to see.  :-)    

I'm sure it's not bad for you to use the creams and whatnot but like you said, if you are going to have lose skin, you're going to have lose skin...no matter what you do.  Yes, we may have less saggy skin than say someone who is in their 50's but, in my opinion, when you lose the amount of weight that we do you are bound to have some saggy skin somewhere.  Either you'll be ok with it or want plastics.  

~Emily~ 

Do you think that loose skin is inevitable no matter how much you prepare?

Yes.

In my opinion being younger we are less accepting of the post-WLS body... we want to be like other people our age and enjoy wearing certain outfits and rocking a bikini etc... I have seen some younger post-opers come out pretty damn good with only a little excess... but still opt to have surgery to make things look 'normal'. You wouldnt know when I have clothes on that I have the excess under (depending on what I wear!)

I dont think your surgeon should have said 'no'... as it is not his body and he doesnt know what will be ok with you and not... The lotion will help but it will not produce any miracles. Eat right, stay hydrated, take your suppliments, workout and pray :-) Save for plastic surgery now, if you dont need it then go shopping or take a vaca or something. I wish I had started saving the day I decided to have surgery!