have many of you had plastic surgery post-op?

i'm still in the exploring phase of wls, but i think i would be considered a lightweight. i'm 32yrs old, 5'5 and 235 right now, so probably a realistic goal would be to lose 75-80 lbs. do you think i'll have a lot of excess skin after losing the weight? anything that can be done during the weight loss to help the skin tighten up? just trying to get an idea of what to expect.

There are people who say they lost that and had no excess skin.

That wasn't me.

Excess skin is so variable - it depends on your age, your general health, where you carried your excess weight, how much damage your skin has (sunburns, etc.), that no one can really predict for someone else who they'll come out.

Things that will at least help a little bit - stay hydrated, take good care of your skin, and exercise. Any muscle you put under that skin will look a whole lot better than either fat or bones!

thanks for the input. whether or not i'll have to have plastic surgery to get rid of excess skin isn't at all a factor in whether i'll have wls. i need to lose the weight for health reasons, but it would certainly be nice not to have to go through all that. you look great though! i bet it was all worth it.

Absolutely - and for me as well it was about the health, but I admit rockin' long jeans with cute peep toes and floaty tops is wonderful!

You do what you can with the skin.  I probably would have been fine not having it done, but had a torn chest wall muscle that required breast lift/reduction and brachioplasty (arms) to heal, and we just submitted everything to insurance to see what they'd say.  Lo and behold, it all got covered, so hey, who am I to turn down a gorgeous body?

Best of luck with the decision on the surgery - it's sometimes a tough one to choose the best surgery for you, but once you do, it's miraculous to have that second chance.

Hi, I started off at the same height and weight as you.  I am now down to anywhere between 122-126lbs  Went from wearing a size 20 to a 2.  I am about 10 years older though.  I am having some plastics done in March, mostly for vanity reasons but I made it this far so why not go all the way!  Anyway at your age and weight you probably won't have to need it but you might want to.

Wow! Was your doctor expecting you to lose that much, or have you just worked really hard at it? I'm trying to keep my expectations reasonable but I look at some of the before and after pics on OH and I can't help but get excited. My insurance starts on 3/1 so I'll be able to get started toward surgery.

Are you having to self-pay for the plastics, or does insurance cover any?

Honestly I have not worked hard at it at all!  My RNY is doing its job!  I hope it keeps me in check for many years.  I don't want to lose any more (or gain) so I hope that I can stay where I'm at.  I am a self pay for my wls and plastics, so i went to Mexico fpr both.  1/3 the price and great care.

Where in Mexico, if you don't mind me asking?  Rocky Point south of Yuma is what's closest for me at this point.

RNY was in PV with Dr Joya  and plastics is in Monterrey with Dr Sauceda.

Thanks!