Question:
Another loose skin question
I'm sorry but I have to ask one more time, I'm 5'6", 270lbs in my late 30ies with rather good skin....light brown skin actually...anybody out there with similar stats tell me what happened with their skin after the surgery, specially worried about the jaw line and my thighs and butt? — Diane B. (posted on February 11, 2002)
February 11, 2002
I lost "alot" of weight and was 40 at the time of surgery.
Started at 280 and weigh 116 right now. I lost more than I weigh. At year
one, I hated how I looked. Saggy butt, saggy arms, legs and chest. I just
noticed now, at year 3, that my butt looks alittle better now and the legs
too. My chest has NO fat and is nonexistant except for skin. (guess I can
roll up the skin and make "boobs" to fit in a bra. As for the
neck..it's perfect...i never had a problem with it at all. I know though,
that I definately look older now that I lost...seems weight makes you look
alittle younger for some reason. hope this helps.
— Barbara H.
February 11, 2002
Okay, folks. Can I vent? I am SOOO sick of people who are overly
concerned with the cosmetic results of losing a life-saving amount of
weight!!! Will you have some saggy skin? Yeah, probably, if the surgery
is successful for you and you lose 100+ lbs. in a very short time. Will it
shrink back? Partly. Is it anything to obsess about? NO!!! You look
about the same as you did when you were fat, except you kind of look
"deflated" in the areas of your body where you were super-obese
(stomach, thighs, etc.). Should you have plastic surgery? Depends on how
vain you are. It normally isn't necessary for good health (unless you are
developing rashes from an extreme problem with hanging skin), but a lot of
people are doing WLS for cosmetic reasons, and it really pisses me off! Be
happy you're losing weight, and stop worrying about how you will look in a
bikini!
— [Anonymous]
February 11, 2002
To Anonymous: NO. YOU CANNOT VENT IF YOU DO IT ANONYMOUSLY.<p>Now as
to the question: (I am a little smaller than you, but . . .) I didn't have
any saggy skin until I lost the last 10 pounds or so. Not too bad in the
thighs and butt--more saggy and gross in the boobs and belly where I was
stretched out from having a baby. My extra chins disappeared without a
problem but I do notice some extra wrinkles around the outside of my eyes.
Oh, well. At least people can tell when I'm smiling now! =)
— ctyst
February 11, 2002
This is to the anonymous poster. I had this surgery for my HEALTH, but I
also think about how I will look when I'm done and I think that is normal.
For ONCE in my life I have the chance to fit into society as a
"normal" person, and not have the hate and discrimination that
all obese people are met with on a daily basis. As I lose weight I have
become increasingly more aware of how I look and I CARE about how I look.
I fix my hair, I wear makeup, I care about me..... I take care of me. I
think about how I will look when I am done and I want to look
"normal." I don't want a lot of hanging skin and I don't
consider that vain.... I want to be like other people! You said it pisses
you off that people are worried about how they will look and they are vain,
well guess what.... it pisses me off when people post things like you did
and then do not put their name. If you are going to flame someone who has
a valid question, atleast post your name. Good luck to everyone.
— Laurie L.
February 11, 2002
Think about it, if you are 100 lbs or more overweight and you have been
that way for awhile what do you think is going to happen to the skin. Of
corse you are going to have saggy skin but at least you will be able to
wipe your own butt and clip your toe nails with out assistance. I think we
have a lot of people coming here who are very very light weights and they
dont have a clue to what it is like to be MO. Quit worrying about bathing
suits and streach marks and think about what it will do to improve your
health and quality of life. (VENT VENT) ahhhh
— [Anonymous]
February 11, 2002
MY MY ARE SOME PEOPLE OPINIONATED!!! THIS IS A Q&A BOARD DONT SHOOT
SOMEONE DOWN FOR BEING CURIOUS,,THIS SITE IS FOR SUPPORT NOT BASHING PEOPLE
AND WHO ARE YOU TO MINIMIZE SOMEONES FEELINGS I WEIGH 439LBS WHOSE TO SAY
THAT SOMEONE HALF MY WEIGHT DOESNT FEEL DEPRESSED AND RESTRICTED ETC ETC
JUST LIKE I DO.TO THE POSTER OF THE QUESTION---REMEMBER OPINIONS ARE LIKE
A$$ HOLES EVERYBODY HAS ONE!!!
— TRULUV2329
February 11, 2002
To the venters: I am 23 years old, have been MO my whole life . But I am a
beautiful woman--a knock out! Even now before I have had surgery. So, why
wouldn't I be worried about staying that way? Sagging skin is something I
have to consider. You know after being MO forever, I have a right to look
good, so does everyone else! Sure, I want to do it to be able to have
children and be able to have a long life with my husband--but WHAT is wrong
with wanting to look good for him too. Look, we have felt ashamed of
being naked in front of others too long! And ofcourse we want looking good
to be an outcome of the weight loss as well. Again, what is so wrong about
that? NOTHING!
As far as the extra skin goes, my trainer really thinks that if I work on
toning my body that I should curb some of the sagging skin. Of course, I
have not had the surgery yet so I don't know if he is right--I sure hope
so! Good Luck!!
— [Anonymous]
February 12, 2002
I believe you have valid concerns and I have a comment to add from my
sister who is 18 months older than me and I am 43. I was griping a little
about my chin area after having lost 100 pounds in 7 1/2 months and she
pointed out that she too at 44 has a little double chin. She is not
overweight either! I think that all of us women are so hypersensitive to
this skin issue and I am trying to be more realistic. IF you are in your
late 30's, gravity will eventually catch up...but with good habits and
exercise and TIME, I thnk we will all firm up to the extent that we can
with the genes we were dealt. I can't fathom any more surgery now as my
surgery is too recent in my mind. I'm not sure if I will need it, my
surgeon doesn't think so and I am not sure I would want it.Your feelings
may change after surgery as as you travel along this exciting path. I wish
you lots of luck!
— Molly S.
February 12, 2002
I out weighed you by 100lbs. I'm down 150lbs. My thighs aren't
bad at all. No hanging skin, no lumps/bumps/cellulite etc...and I
originally
had big, big thighs. My stomach is flat as a plate...my surgeon is
mystified.
I'm just thrilled! My "problem" areas are my upper arms....I
have to wear
sleeves. I saw a cosmetic surgeon who suggested that after I lose my
final 30lbs., I wait one year and then (if I still want it) have the
cosmetic procedure to correct any "bat wing deformity" I might
have.
My butt (which never was flat) is a bit of a problem. But, I wear
support briefs that keep things for shaking. I never expected a perfect
body...good thing...because I'm never going to have one (lol). But, I'm
wearing size 18's and when I lose those last pounds, I'll be down to size
14's. I happy!
— [Anonymous]
February 12, 2002
— PaulaM
February 12, 2002
At first I thought about not posting to this controversial question and
then I thought about posting anonymously. Finally, I thought "Why not
beat this dead horse some more and just tell folks how I feel?" To
the anonymous poster: Why in the world would it piss you off that someone
has a valid concern regarding their appearance? It's none of your
business! Secondly, I am always happy to see people, whether obese or not,
take pride in their appearance. I have lost 113 pounds and am at goal.
Yes, I am what is considered a lightweight. However, the airline attendant
who had to give me a seat extender didn't consider me a lightweight. The
OB/GYN who made me wear two gowns because they didn't have one big enough
to fit me didn't consider me a lightweight. The stranger who rubbed my
stomach and asked me when my baby was due (I had a hysterectomy 12 years
ago) didn't consider me a lightweight. When I looked in the mirror I
DIDN'T CONSIDER ME A LIGHTWEIGHT! My experiences while morbidly obese were
easily as devastating as those experienced by people far heavier than I
was. When I looked in the mirror I saw an obese woman who did the best she
could looking back at me. I never saw a slovenly slob looking back at me
because I took pride in my appearance even then. Now that I am at goal I
view my "sharpei" thighs with dismay knowing there's nothing I
can do about it because my checkbook can't support plastic surgery for
that. My breasts have also gone south but I can easily conceal that with a
good bra. Every single day I look in the mirror and feel proud of the
woman who's looking back at me. If you want me to be sorry for taking
pride in my appearance then you'll be waiting a long time for that. My
health is vastly improved and I thank God for that. My looks are also
vastly improved which makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. I won't
let anyone make me feel bad about the joy I feel. Shame on you, anonymous
poster, for trying to rain on the parade. And good luck and "good
looks" to all of us!!
— ronascott
February 12, 2002
I, too, am in my late 30s with fairly good, light brown skin. At 4'11"
and 253 pounds, some actually considered ME a "lightweight." All
I know is that without this surgery, I would have lost my sight or a limb
to uncontrolled diabetes, and I would still be hospitalized 4-5 times a
year for asthma. I definitely had this surgery for my health! However, now,
at 14 months post-op and down 100 pounds or so, I realize that because of
hanging, excess skin, I look 'deformed' in certain areas, particularly my
abdomen. Could I live a healthy life without reconstructive surgery? Sure.
However, I suddenly realize that after losing so much weight, working out
3x a week at the gym and doing other things to improve my health, as well
as my body image, I DESERVE to have a 'normal' looking body. Since I will
be having a hernia repair, and the plastic surgeon is fairly certain my
insurance will also cover the abdominoplasty since there is a 'defect' in
the abdominal wall and my abdomen is now 'deformed,' why not have the whole
problem fixed? Does that make me vain? I don't know, but I DO know that I
am normal for wanting to continue on the road to feeling and LOOKING good.
I think you are normal for wondering about the loose skin, but you may or
may not have a problem. Exercise helps, but for those of us in our late 30s
it may not work as well as for some of those younger folks. Sorry about the
rambling, just had to add my two cents. Best of luck to you.
— Maria H.
February 12, 2002
You want a vent? The term lightweight is all relative. Just because
someone had the opportunity to have surgery at 275- does not mean their
surgery wasn't as valuable/life saving or nescessary as someone who had it
at 375! Not like we weren't all headed in the same direction, or in the
same boat! Or faced the same risks, problems and deal with the same day to
day issues as you. We just got to do it before we got to 375! Our journey
was no less a struggle than yours... and I am sure we all had some wierd
concerns prior to surgery. I myself flipped when I saw Carnie Wilson
eating her dinner on TV- I figured there was no way in hell I could ever
deal with that! Come to find out, I could and do. Some issues are still
unfathomable prior to surgery- so hence the questions that are asked. Be
they are vain, silly or ignorant - to some folks, a question is a question
and I don't consider it stupid. After surgery, she could care less about
her appearance- but right now, she's curious! She just wanted to know, so
let's just answer her question, or if it doesn't apply to you- don't!
Imagine Whirled Peas!
— Karen R.
February 12, 2002
can't we all just get along?
— [Anonymous]
February 12, 2002
I am too concerned about saggy skin. I am currently pre-op and I wonder how
my hips and butt and breats are gonna look like. I am 28 y/o and I feel
that Im fairly attractive and I still want to have a shape!
— S W.
February 12, 2002
Hi guys,
I'm the poster, first I want to thank all the identified posters for the
great info.ranters.
To the unidentified first I would explain that I have a heart murmur and my
doctor suggested the surgery because she doesn't think I can survice much
longer without it, I do not fit in movie theater seats any more and I have
to take pills for my back and knees everyday bacause of the pain, I believe
that qualifies me as someone suffering from morbid obesity. The second
thing is that yes I do think I'm a beautiful women and I'm a beautiful
women that is single and suffers from severe clinical depression for over
15 years.. I believe that for me and many other overwweight women the
sagging skin is more than a cosmetic issue it's a mental health and body
image issue.....
Sorry you're so mad at everything, try a bit of R&R and post later. I
don't need anymore hate....
Diane Barnes
San Francisco
— Diane B.
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