? about excess skin...

Ok for those of you who have had the surgery... how is your skin? My mom said that maybe it wouldn't sag as much because I'm still young but I don't know if there is any truth in that. How bad is it? I know everyone is different but how is it for you? I haven't had the surgery yet. I just started this whole WLS on Thursday, I had to fill this form out so I don't know if that was the request or what.... Wendy

I was hoping the same thing, no such luck though. My skin is just gross. I've got enough skin under my arms that I can practically fold it. And I won't even get into my tummy and breasts. I am hoping that its going to firm up as I stop losing weight but as of right now I'd do just about anything to have plastics. And I'm only 8 months out. Faith L. RNY Lap 03/08/05 350/225/160ish

I think it has to do with a lot of different factors. I am a little over 9 months out and 134 lbs lighter. I was heavy all of my life so 25 years of being stretched out was against me. I have thought worked out through out my weight loss process I will continue to for life...I drink my water and Do everything I can think of to tighten my skin. I do have a lot of loose skin though...I would loe to have plastic suregery one day. I can pick my stomach up it's so loose, my arms boy I think I could fly away sometimes. Good luck! Michelle

Hi Wendy! I am almost 3 months out and down about 48 pounds, and thus far excess skin hasn't been an issue for me... My loss seems to be pretty steady at 3-4 pounds per week but I will stall for a week or so each month and I like to think that gives my skin a little time to catch up. I think one thing that makes a BIG difference on the skin issue is how you carry your weight. I have always been curvy, big boobs big ass small waist. Since my weight was more distributed think you have less of a chance of having tons of excess skin versus someone who is more apple shaped you know? I hope this makes sense! Take care! Bridget 280/232/150 RNY 8/8/05

My Doc said that bcause of my age (26) that my skin would unstrech, but it could take about 24 months for it to return to normal.

i have also heard that if you've already got stretch marks (and i sure do, gaining weight was not always kind to my skin) that it's not likely to shrink back because most elasticity is gone. and really, tight skin and fat vs. baggy skin and slim. i haven't met anyone who'd change their mind about WLS, despite the baggy skin issue.

Hi Wendy, I have extra skin, but the only place it really bothers me is my arms. I have bat wings so to speak. I don't think it ever tightens back up after surgery, but it depends. I started at a high weight...for lightweights it might not be as bad. I think of it like this...if u blow up a baloon and leave it blown up for a while and then let the air out it never goes back to the original shape. It's pretty much the same with skin. Hugs, Sara

The excess skin issue is big with me right now. I'm almost a year and a half out. I am currently down 170lbs(with a bit more to lose) Originally, my doctor said since I'm young(almost 22) my skin should still hold it's elasticity but looking into it further I'm not so sure. It was stretched so much with me losing/gaining weight throughout my life. So much back and forth has to have taken its toll. I have the 'bat wings' but for the most part sleeves hide that, even though I am insecure about them. I have some saddle bag issues around my thighs, butt is okay but the stomach and breasts are a lost cause. I dont think any amount of working out will help them. Those are the two places I am the most concerned about. It's just a $ issue. Plus I have to decide how long I want to wait it out or see how much exercising/toning will help. I'm beginning to think that I wont have any option but to get surgery.

I dreamed that my skin would pop right back to where it should be since I'm young. HA! Not a chance. I'm only 6 months out and I feel like a deflated marshmellow man. When I take off my bra with a shirt on and turn sideways my boobs are not there....well, of course they are there but you can't tell it because they are so stretched and so flat. My stomach and inner thighs are another horror story. With all that said, I wouldn't change my decision to have surgery for anything. Bring on the bat flaps and apron!!!! Plastic surgery is always an option...even if we have to pay for it ourselves. We're young, we've got time to save that money. Don't let the chance of skin sagging stop you from having surgery. Good luck!

There's good news and bad news... (I'm 16 months post op). Bad news...you will have sagging - your body cannot keep up with the rate that weight loss occurs. Good news...if you exercise like crazy, pray, have whey protein you can reduce the amount of sagging. Mine is a mess...not as bad as it could be...but I'm continuing to work on it.