Starting to wonder how much is skin......

Here I am 13 months out.  I'm down 116 from my consult date.  I am 5'8.5", and I weigh 183 today--182 my lowest thus far.  I track my food daily, and I weigh daily.  I walk two 20 minute power walks of about 4000 steps, including the stairs, four times a week.  And, I've been on the elliptical 20-30 minutes daily for three weeks now. 

MY BODY REALLY LIKES 185ish.

My calories stay between 700-900, carbs 30-40, protein 60-90.  My BMI still has me in the overweight category for at least another 12 pounds. 

I have MAJOR skin issues.  My tummy, arms, and thighs have a lot of excess skin from being overweight since a preteen.  I just don't know if I'm committed to any plastic surgery, but I wish I knew how much of this extra weight is just not going to come off because of the skin.

I'm not one to drop pounds steadily at all, and it's so interesting to hear folks talk about dropping if they don't increase their calories.  I know from my very frequent travel that when I go crazy with carbs and throw caution to the wind, I can count on a 5-10 pound gain in NO TIME. 

It's so interesting how we are all so different, yet fighting the same fight.  I know that it's not like anything monumental will change when I can say I'm officially "in maintenance" as I will always journal, weigh, and remain vigilant with my intake.  But, I, for one time in my life, would love to say, "I'm here.  I did it."  

That's my random thought today.  Sigh.......

Don't know the answer to the skin thing except dr. jossart once told me he thought a good five pounds was skin so i bet you have at least that. and if the 185 sems like the right weight to you and you feel good, then go with it. its all sort of a complex judgement call rather than a hard and fast rule about what that final weight should be. but keep reminding yourself that you have won and you are not fat and you are now taking care of your health everyday. thats the real prize. Diane

Why not have a consult with a plastic surgeon? They'll tell you how much is skin. In my case, it was about 5 lbs. that he took off in a TT and BR/lift. Of course I still have some excess skin on my abdomen, thighs, arms, etc. but that's the amount that came off. Also, when I had the plastics, it really jump started my loss again. I ended up losing another 15 lbs following surgery, and I've heard that's not uncommon...

Lizanne

I'm with Lizzy, I think you need to have a real heart to heart with a plastic surgeon even if you don't think you want plastics.  I know people that lost 15-20 lbs. in skin alone.  You might very well be done.

To get a good idea of your body composition, try measuring your body fat percentage. That gives you a really good idea if you need to lose more weight or not, regardless of skin.

Wish we lived closer.  We could go see a plastic surgeon together and hold each other's hands when we have to get naked in front of him.  Maybe he would give us a 2 for 1 discount.  LOL

I'm only 5'2" and am at 177.  I'm not sure I want to lose any more than maybe another 10-15 pounds.  I would like to be able to wear a 14.   I'm sure I could if I got rid of the stomach.  The legs on pants are big but I have to get a larger size to fit the gut.  My bat wings really, really need to go too.  I don't think there's any hope.  Loose skin on 59 year old women doesn't firm up. 

For me, size really does count.  ;o)

I am with you!  These bat wings could be classified as deadly weapons!  NO doubt.  My tummy is the same---lots' o flabbiness.  I basically "tuck" it in my pants, and I'm sure I'm a good one or two probably sizes smaller without it all!

I may go see the plastic surgeon my WLS surgeon recommends just to hear what he has to say and know what I'm up against if I ever get the guts to go through with it.  I hate being put under, and I just live in fear that I'm finally reasonably healthy, and then I'd go and get a staff infection or something worse and die from what I almost consider "vanity" surgery on my part.  

But, at least I'm starting to even think about it....

I think I'll get pretty nervous when I get to that point too.  I already went through the "elective" VSG surgery and had lingering doubts before the actual surgery, so I know PS will freak my freak.  But I just hate, hate, hate my arms.  I think I can deal with the stomach. (Spanx!), but the arms are there for the world to see in the summer months.  We spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, so I want to be comfortable in my skin (pun intended). 

The rule of thumb I was told is that for every ten pounds you lose, you get 1 lb of loose skin. Of course it's not all in places that PS can remove, but I figure for most of the people struggling with that last 10 lb it's probably all loose skin.

My skin from lower body lift/breast lift weighed in a 2.5 lbs...no lipo needed.  I did lose about 100 pounds but am a crazy exerciser like you.  Not that your crazy, but you know what I mean, lol.  So, for us more athletic types with very low body fat percentages the weight of the skin could be insignificant as it was for me.  Batwings will be next, probably at one full year out from lbl.  I'm in no rush and don't want to tax my body too much.

I know you've considered plastics and they are really wonderful.  I hope you will eventually find the resources to make it happen if you choose to.  And, the surgery didn't really affect my training much, just to let you know.  I was back to lifting weights at 4 weeks at about 50% and by 8 weeks I was close to 100%...same with cardio which I actually started at 3 weeks post op.  A couple of weeks ago I was able to deadlift 155lbs for 10 reps easily...I was 14 weeks out.  Not to shabby for an old broad!

Laura