Question:
I havn't gotten my surgery date but would like to know how to cope

with the excess skin that is left after you loose the weight? I am ready for surgery and look forward to being and feeling more healthy but what scares me most is all the skin, how much does it cost to get it all removed? I's it always necessary to have it surgicaly removed? HELP"!!!    — elizabethgc (posted on January 3, 2008)

January 3, 2008
In my case I had to have a tummy tuck. I had it in August, 4 years after my RNY. Best money ever spent. Worth every penny! The Dr took off 6 pounds of skin from my tummy.
   — Carlyn M.

January 3, 2008
A lot depends on your age. If you had surgery in your 20's or 30's, you can probably tone most of the skin to look presentable. If your'e in your later 40's or more, the elasticity of the skin is less more likely to sag. Some people have surgery, some don't. Everyone I've spoken to at dozens of support meeting is glad to have the weight gone, and only about 10-15 % have had surgery on their skin. Of those who had surgery, most have had standard loose skin removal--not plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is considered cosemetic and not covered by most insurance companies. BUT, if your excess skin causes rashes under the folded skin, then your insurance company is more likely to remove the excess skin. But they don't make it "pretty", like a plastic surgeon does.
   — Dave Chambers

January 3, 2008
Good luck on your adventure. I hope you get your surgery date soon. As for the aftermath... Loose skin depends largely on how well your body has maintained "elasticity" while you were gaining weight. If you are younger you may have better elasticity (but not neccessarily). If you exercise right from the beginning (including lifting weights) as soon as your surgeon gives you the okay to do so it may help. Honestly you need to wait a good year before considering plastic surgery. There are people who were sagging and by the time a year had passed from their surgery date, their skin had tightened more. The only reasons you'd medically need to remove the excess skin is if you develop rash, body pain/aches because the skin hangs so much or is prohibiting your health in some way (it does happen). More common is the reason that we've (WLS patients) have come so far in this journey and don't want that last 10 pounds, clothing size, body image, what every it is to be stopped by loose skin. Here's a suggestion. Put away as much money as you can afford (try for at least $100 per pay period if possible) now and each pay period from now on and by the time your year is up you'll have money saved towards plastic surgery (if you need it then) and if not, you'll have money saved towards a new wardrobe and mini vacation. Hoping all the best for you, Tiffany
   — Phenomenal Woman

January 3, 2008
Good luck on your surgery. I will add this, you will be so happy to lose the weight, like I was, the skin is secondary. I know it is unsightly but remember to tell your doctor or have him note that you have a rash under your belly, that way most insurances will pay for the skin removal. I am already at goal after one year but my doctor said no plastics till I am two years out, so I wear my Spanx, they are the greatest invention ever, and they make it not as noticeable. Good luck to you, see you on the lighter side!
   — noboat4u

January 3, 2008
I've been blessed! I turned 42 just four days after my surgery. As of this morning I'm down 112 lbs and just 3 lbs from my surgeon's goal. I have a little sag in the "bat wing" area, a little droop in the tush, but that's about it. I don't spend hours and hours at the gym every day. But, my trainer knows about the surgery and that's what we're targeting right now. I work out three times a week for about an hour each session. So, you might get lucky (depending on your starting weight) and not need surgery. :) I'm so thankful I don't. Best wishes on your journey! It's been an amazing 7 months for me!!!
   — lv2beasahm

January 3, 2008
Ok, I just want to add that age has nothing to do with skin elasticity. I was 23 when I had surgery and I still had 20 pounds of excess skin that no amount of excersizing or weight training would touch! I think the more weight you have to lose, obviously the more skin you will have. I lost 216 pounds. My husband has also lost 220+ and he has skin issues (and he is 20 years older than me). But it is not bothersome to him. He is just happy to be healthy and more active. Me on the other had, I had it all taken off or tweaked. But I am a young person and have lots of life ahead. A middle aged person might not be so caught up on their looks. I have known people to lose 80-100 pounds and not have a lot of issues with skin sagging (but there is always some). I recently had 2 babies (in 1 year) and I gained some weight. The places that I got skin removed from won't stretch as far (for example, my stomach never really looked pregnant at full term (maybe looked 5mos. at most), but then I gained lots of weight in my rear. Now of the 17 pounds I still have to lose, that is where it remains (behind me, LOL)
   — GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS

January 3, 2008
Before my surgery (RNY 6/3/03) I joined Curves and lost several pounds and inches to have a good base to get back to when I could after the surgery. I still work out at Curves at least 3X per week. I drink lots of water (helps with elasticity of skin) I am 55 years old and don't have as much hanging skin as a lot of people who have had the surgery. I have some in the abdominal region and my breasts but, I wasn't trying for a bikini body I wanted to look and feel healthy again. I get compliments about my arms all the time -- it is the exercise. I hope this helps -- good luck with the surgery.
   — maggie1952

January 4, 2008
I am 28yr old and 2+ years out from surgery. Three weeks ago I had a tummy tuck along with a vertical incision to tighten up the mid body. Twelve pounds total were removed during a 4.5 hour surgery. Insursance covered the tummy and I paid extra for the mid body, total paid by me was $2000. From the many people I know that have had WLS I have never encountered anyone who was able to "tone up". Sorry to be the party pooper here. Best of luck and happy healing to you. PS the sagging skin was a price I gladly paid for a 200lbs weight loss.
   — tazthewiz23