Question:
Does EVERYBODY need plastic surgery??
I am considering WLS and I see numerous posts from individuals painfully disappointed in the condition of their sagging skin. So depressed in fact, that they are spending thousands on plastic surgery to cosmetically correct their bodies, and it scares me. I had hoped to have this surgery in order to lead a healthier life and now I'm terrified I will become severely depressed with my imminent disfiguring skin. Clinically Depressed at the sight of my own body? To a newbie, these posts read as if one must trade a battle weight loss for a psychological battle of body image and sagging skin? That it is a GIVEN. So, has anyone lost the pounds and not hated "The Skin you're In"? — georgiagal (posted on March 15, 2010)
March 15, 2010
ME! I don't hate the skin I'm in. Yeah, I've got loose skin under my arms,
but compared to the fat skin I DID have, with DEEP dimples at my elbows,
I'll take it! So what if I can't wear sleeveless blouses? I never wore
them when I was fat, either! And yeah, I have a saggy tummy - not anywhere
near as bad as I thought it was going to be, but Flexees panties (I get
them at Costco for $12.99 for a package of 3 pairs) takes care of that.
They're like a panty girdle that holds my tummy up and in, and there's not
a "jiggle" to be had when I've got them on. And yeah, I have
loose skin on the insides of my thighs... but you know what? At least I
can stand with my feet and knees together now (and I can even cross my legs
at the knee!), and when I've got on a tight pair of "Sevens"
(designer jeans in a size 10 that my daughter just gave me) - you'd never
know about the loose skin on my thighs. It's NOT disfiguring....and as a
matter of fact, I have pictures taken in my underwear before sugery, and
then at 25 pound intervals afterwards... and the last set of pictures is
amazing. I don't often offer, but am willing to send you a private email
with them so you can see that the "loose skin" is not anywhere
NEAR as disfiguring as many people feel that it is. I mean... how could it
be ANY worse than when we were morbidly obese and had to deal with
embarrasing body odors and rashes? And we still had the cellulite
then....what? People think it's going to magically disappear? Not!! Our
bodies will never be as youthful and beautiful-looking as the models in the
clothing magazines (even the Lane Bryant or Roaman's catalogues). But,
every time I look in the mirror without clothes on, I am absolutely amazed
and thankful for my wonderful surgeon for giving me a second chance at
life, even though it took me until I was 55 years old to get up the courage
to do it. So yeah, ME.... I DON'T HATE THE SKIN I'M IN -- I LOVE IT!!
— Erica Alikchihoo
March 15, 2010
Like Erica, I don't hate the skin I'm in. I am only 7 months out from my
RNY and have lost 90 lbs but my high blood pressure is gone, my high blood
sugar is gone, the pain in my feet and legs is gone, I can breath walking
into a store and so many more things that 7 months ago I couldn't do. I
wish my skin looked 20 again but since I am 43 I guess even without
weightloss that won't happen. I do have sagging skin under my arms and
around my stomach but I also were undergarments that really cover almost
any flaws. The health that has been given back to me and my family is
worth any amount of sagging skin. WLS surgery is really more about your
health than how we look but going from a 24 to a loose 14 in 7 months has
been great. Sagging skin or not I can wear nice summer clothes and shoes
this year. I would definitly do this again and continue to invest in the
undergarments to look this good in clothes and to feel this great. Good
luck in your journey, I hope you find the answers you need to help you feel
comfortable in your decision making process.
— lisa L.
March 15, 2010
Me! Almost 8 months post op, and 104lbs less, plus no pain in legs and
feet. My skin seems to be tightening up just fine. Walk Walk Walk! I'll
be 50 in 5 months and I'm so happy with the wt loss, I'd do the surgery
again in a heartbeat.
— Nurseducky
March 15, 2010
it depends what you weigh
i weighed 400 pounds; you do not get there over night either; our bodies
are never perfect. medically i got 1 surgery done for lower tummy tuck
i need an anchor cut to get adjusted as well
but i wanted it so i guess it just depends
— tl_morgan
March 15, 2010
I am 6 years out. Sure, I have saggy skin, but no where near what I
thought I would have. I have no boobs, going from a 46 DD to a 34A
(maybe). I have a little pouchy stomach but I can handle it. Never wanted
plastic surgery and don't feel I need it. I'm just happy to be slim and
healthy. No regain in all this time. Just enjoying life. I also take
depression meds.....they must be working!!!!
— Kathy
March 16, 2010
I Love the "New Me"! At 364lbs I had rolls and dimples and fat
pockets and more rolls,cankles,no elbow cause the fat from my upper arm
hung over it,ugly back fat,a 3 tier stomach,sausage fingers,thunder
thighs,and when I walked it looked like I was walking around myself.So heck
no a little loose skin would be a reason for me to not have wanted to lose
weight. And the extra skin will be there even if you lost weight without
WLS. That is the consequence of over eating and stretching out your body.
Everybody doesnt see it like me. There are people out there that are having
a hard time with the fact that their body wont just tighten up on its
own.Some people have negative people in their lives that point out the
extra skin and the fact that now they are stuck with a horrible figure.And
we shouldnt look down on them or pity them because everyones self image is
different. BUT! We are now healthy. No more comorbids. And able to live
our lives to the fullest. Thats what I am doing. And if you can put all of
those horrible things that I had to live with while being fat, against
sagging skin. I think you would pick the skin. I look at it as my battle
scar. It reminds me of what I have gone against.And I won. And I will have
my boobs,arms, and stomach done down the line. But its for vanity. I had
WLS to save my life.
— tiawillb
March 16, 2010
Hi my name is Tammi I had RNY July 2008 I have lost 200 pounds I am happy
to have the weight off. I weigh 174 and am 5'4 I have have had breast
reduction because of back pain and still have problems with my back even
after they removed 2.5 pounds, I believe its the back not the weight and am
seeing a specialist for deep muscle tissue finially after 9 years some
relief. The breast reduction was a blessing and would do it again in a
minute. I have the saggy arms the skin saggy on my butt and my legs are the
worst if I had a choice I could live with it all but would like at least my
arms done. I have sagging skin on my stomache remember how stretched out we
have gotten, its like inflating a balloon then letting the air out.
Honestely I am the happiest I have been for ever I am living. I am leaving
for a Mission trip for the Philippines for 6 weeks,this is a true Blessing,
its been a goal for about 3 years, I never would have been able to do it
with the extra 200 pounds and I would do it all over again saggy skin and
all, I would much rather have the skin the way it is then the weight
anyday. Clothes cover it well, and be proud of yourself when you get the
surgery who cares what anyone else thinks,I still wear elso length sleeves
but I do wear a swim suite and its ok hey never would of wore one before
I will say I discover anew part of me every day thinking wow is that me wow
look at that i have collar bones or ribs or hips its awesome, I say if you
want to be happy and to live get rid of the weight I have seen some that
really workout and have great results with their skin I walk but not to
active right now need to be though I want to try to firm up, any way take
care if u have more questions just ask Tammi
— Tammi Sandoval
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