Question:
Has anyone regreted surgery and ended up with alot of loose skin?

Has anyone lost a substancial amount of weight and ended up with lots!!!of loose skin?My insurance dosen't cover cosmetic surgery.I'm wondering if the loose skin causes the same rashes and itching like before the surgery?Should I be concened or just happy for the weight loss?Are there any regrets after surgery?    — Lora B. (posted on March 18, 2002)

March 17, 2002
At three months post op and 88 lbs down, I am starting to show a lot of excess skin... and I know this is only the begining.. But I don't care if I have to tuck it in with duct tape for the rest of my life, I wouldn't regret having this surgery. Even these 88 lbs have changed my life, I can't wait to see what the rest of the weight coming off is going to bring me! Good luck in your journey!
   — Elizabeth D.

March 17, 2002
I'm down 72 pounds and am just WAITING for another 25 pound weight loss so I can have the excess skin removed. One thing to possibly consider is that most plastic surgeons work with banks to finance plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon I'm working with does. He's given me an estimate of $10,000 for his fees, the surgery room and general anesthesia. Through the bank that he uses, I would end up paying about $225 a month for 5 years. I figure it's like leasing a car but I'm going to get a LOT more mileage from the surgery then I would from the car!!!
   — Patty H.

March 17, 2002
Deflated baloon checking in! I dont care about the excess skin, a LOT shrunk back after month 6 for me. But even if it didnt, healthier was MY GOAL. Diabetes GONE is worth every bit of hanging skin. Call a plastic surgeon, they may be abnle to get some removed by insurance, it sure cant hurt to ask.
   — bob-haller

March 18, 2002
I am at goal and have alot of extra skin in my abdominal area. I am having surgery to remove this in May. It is totally covered by insurance as it is reconstructive and not cosmetic. If I wasn't able to have plastic surgery I still would regret the weight loss and hanging skin. The weight loss has totally improved my health - type 2 diabetes, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are all OUTTA HERE!! I also figure it's a whole lot easier to hide some extra skin in a girdle or in pants with pleats than it is to hide an extra 115 pounds. I'd say never let the idea of a scar or extra skin discourage you from this life saving surgery. BEST WISHES!!
   — ronascott

March 18, 2002
My answer's the same as all the previous. Yep, I do have lots of loose, unattractive skin, but I don't regret for a second having had the surgery. I am totally healthy & am able to do all the things I love to do, things I hadn't been able to do for years. Even doing nothing, just sitting around is better cuz I can cross my legs & be comfortable, no more back & body aches, no more fears of "will this chair hold me?" I have found that life did not just become perfect & without any problems now that I have lost the weight. I had a pre-op fantasy that if I ever lost all the weight, my life would be perfect, I would find real love, have more money, etc, etc. This might be an area in which being required to see a psychologist might have helped. I would imagine that lots of us have unrealistic expectations of how life will be when we're not fat any more. Unfortunately, I find I do not look like a supermodel now. I still don't look good in a swimsuit. BUT, I look great in a pair of jeans & a sweater.... :) The health & the comfort is the main thing, the really important stuff. I will be having PS to get rid of some of this loose skin, having a tummy tuck in a few weeks. I'm hoping to have my arms done also, at least. My only regret is not doing it YEARS sgo.
   — Kathy W.

March 18, 2002
My insurance doesn't cover cosmetic surgery either. They do pay for 100% of reconstructive surgery. They paid for my abdominoplasty and breast reduction. It was the best thing I ever did--- I love it!! ---->>(http://www.mywls.com/OpenBB)
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 18, 2002
Check out http://www.plasticsurgery.org for their position paper on Reconstructive surgery Vs. Cosmetic Surgery after massive weight loss. Type in Obesity on the search.
   — [Deactivated Member]