Question:
Do you think I will have problems after WLS w/ excess skin?

I'm 5"5' and weigh approx. 258lbs. Does everyone have problems w/ excess skin or are there those of you that have not and just toned up?    — pamela1 (posted on September 26, 2002)

September 26, 2002
I started at 250 at 5'6". I am now 154 with a normal BMI and would really like to have some reconstructive surgery done. First pick would be the stomach, then my neck. I was an apple and that is where most of my 'extra' was located. I am 33 and was hoping to not need more surgery. Some say that the skin still tightens as a little more time goes by, so we shall see. My arms are great, and my thighs are OK. Boobs are fine but I had a lift/redux 7 years ago, so they are still perky. Without that 'lift', they would look deflated and saggy.
   — Cheri M.

September 26, 2002
I started weighing more than you 304 to b exact. I am now 213 and my skin is making me nuts! My butt skin slaps the back of my thighs when I run up the stairs and it sounds like I have a cheering section behind me!!! But the skin fits so nicely into my clothes compared to the fat that was filling out the skin in the past. Being a non smoker is a big thing when it comes to the skin snapping back too. Just my luck I had been smoking a LONG time when I had the surgery! Best of luck. CM
   — Sassy M.

September 26, 2002
Hi. I'm still 100 pounds away from goal (and have lost almost 100) and I was also concerned with excess skin. After asking many people, the answer I got was it all depends on your skins elasticity. And that depend on your age, weight, and genes. My skin is already starting to sag, but firming lotion seems to help a little bit (and I do mean a little). I was 19 when I had the surgery in May and it looks like I'll be vistiting a plastic surgeon for my 21st birthday. Hope you have better luck than me.
   — Sarah K.

September 26, 2002
Hi, I started out at 308 lbs, 5'5 in height. Currently I am at 199 lbs. I don't have alot of excess skin around my abdomen [as of yet] but I have the almighty Batwings from hell ! LOL. Everything else has toned up nicely though. The only type of excersize that I have done is water walking, swimming and walking. Good luck, Toodles
   — Sherry S.

September 26, 2002
Pamela, your profile doesn't say how old you are. I know that the skin loses its elasticity as we get older. Factor in any pregnancies, prior surgeries, gaining and losing weight several times, all these things can influence how well your skin will "bounce back". Over the years I lost and gained weight several times and each time my skin was fine. This time, however, my skin can't seem to keep up with the loss and is sagging quite a bit.
   — LLinderman

September 26, 2002
Still pre-op here, so I can't definitively answer your question, but I can tell you what I've learned. I'm 33, 5'4", about 250. A total hourglass. My doctor said that given the condition of my skin (its in great shape) and the fact that I've never had children, I might be able to get away with no plastics, if I'm diligent with the exercise. He said that if anything, I'll need a minor tummy tuck. (He also said I might need a breast reduction/lift, but Lord knows I need that now). Good luck!
   — Tamara K.

September 27, 2002
Pam, I started out at 5'6 and 253 lbs and am 31 yrs old, and I have some saggy skin but with clothes on you would never know it. It is not all hanging or anything but it is really loose. I have e-mailed you a picture of my stomach at about 8 months post op.
   — Lynda T.