saggy skin

Hi, I am approximately 6 months out now, doing well, I have been exercising and trying very hard at toning and tightening up my skin as I go thru this. I am so proud of myself for the weight I have lost, but I am having a hard time looking at myself in the mirror, I see ugliness, and am ashamed. I dont know if I lost too much too fast, but the skin is just hanging from my arms,thighs,legs,butt area. my primary doctor told me to use collegen cream lotion and alot of it, I use the body wash also, but it doesnt look any differant. I went to my gyno yesterday and he informed me the only way it will go away is plastic surgery. well I am on a fixed income, so thats out of the question! I wanted to wait till I was around a year out or so, I felt I would know where I should be on the weight loss by then. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions they would like to pass on to me, I am open to all advice I can get. I am so disgusted when I look at myself it is causing some major depression with me. please if anyone has any advice email them my way. good luck with everyone who has been here and done it, and to those who are thinking about the surgery, I cant answer for everyone, but as for myself it was the best thing I have ever done. I had Dr.Nease, and he is excellant along with his staff. good day to all of you, hope to hear from someone soon. susan parkersburg,wv

Hi Susan, I am almost 8 months out and dealing with the same thing you are, I keep telling myself that its better then having the fat...it is hard looking in the mirror naked......I just don't do it and its hard being naked around my husband, I am worse now about that then when I was fat. I'm hoping to have plastic surgery some day too, I know some insurances will pay for plastic surgery.....Aetna being my insurance and being one that does if there is a good reason......lots of pictures and documentation. I just read your profile and see you have medicare, I have never heard of them paying. YOu should come over to the Ohio board, there are soooo many people on there everyday that can help you and unfortanetly there isn't much that goes on over here on the WV board. I do feel your pain....beleive me, but we have to look at it as we are alot better off now then we were when we had that fat.....its hard I know, I try to talk myself into it alot, and I just try not to think about it too, but sometimes I do get down about it!! If you need to talk just email me, I'm just across the river here in Marietta!! Also do you know of any support groups in the area? We just moved back to the area after 3 years and I would like to attend a meeting....do you go to meetings? Keep your chin up!! Hugs, Tabitha 312/192

to both you girls...congratulations. Try not to let the saggy skin depress you. I would rather have the saggy skin (which I do) than the fat back. I am 13 months out and still say it is the best decision I have ever made. I haven't made my mind up about the plastic surgery. I watched a show on Discovery Channel the other night and really thinking about the pain of it. I sag from my breasts to my knees. Several things I do not wear because of it....like sleeveless shirts and shorts. It can be depressing, if you let it. Just remember how far you have come and how much better you feel. Some will tone up with exercise...so keep exercising; especially weight training. I know this isn't much new information, but I hope I gave you some words of encouragement. have a great weekend, Janet 324.5/172/145

good morning Janet, thank you for responding, and congrats on your loss. I guess I just get impatient with myself, and need to hear encouragement from others. we have no support groups here, so I vent on my daughter lol. she has broad shoulders and is a good listener. I would do this all over again it was the best decision I have done for myself in years! keep up the good work, and take care. susan

Hi Susan It has a lot to do with your age and how big you where.I have skin issues and soon I will take care of all of that.I hope you have a great weekend......steve

Hi Susan: I understand your concern. My wife and I both had the surgery in Morgantown (me in 10/05 and her in 12/05. Sagging yet has not been an issue for either one of us, but she is worrying about it. We have both done very well. I am at -88 pounds and is at -69 pounds. Mary is a worrier and always has been. I suspect that your husband will love you and respect you no matter what. We are so happy that we have done this and life just gets better with every day. I recommend that you save your worries and concerns for things that really matter. Worrying about things over which is have no control is what I call mental masturbation. Curt

Well I echo both of you. I am 15 months out and am ready for plastic surgery. I am more depressed now than before surgery to be sure. It looks like someone took a pin and let all the air out. I was not very obese prior to surgery and was not 100 pounds over weight, I had other health issues. I am now bones and sagging skin that is everywhere. Not only is it unsightly, it looks FREAKISH!!. Insurance should cover reconstructive surgery up to a point . I don't think that people think of the skin prior to surgery, you are so caught up in being "thin". Now I am at a 9/10 and will be a 6 or 8 I was told after surgery. I know that for the surgery I want (lower body lift) it's 25,000. Then I have my arms, and neck and face, and never mind the UDDERS!!!!! Good Luck, as you are just out and when you really lose the weight, you will find that your skin has tripled. It is very depresssing to say the least as I don't have that kind of money and have to re-finance my home. Yes I am blessed, as so many others cannot make the journey, but after making it, the ending is so wonderful to be healthy and down to a nice size, but don';t ask me to take my clothes off!!! (smile) Good luck!