Question:
do you always get the sagging skin?

i am more of a pear shape and hoping to have lap-rny. i am concerned about how bad the sagging skin is after you loose some weight. i am not going to change my mind about the surgery, i just wanted to know about it. thanks in advance.be blessed.    — latreshar (posted on May 14, 2008)

May 14, 2008
From what I understand, the younger you are the better chance of less excess skin. I am 48 and I am hoping this is not true. We will see.
   — bikermama

May 14, 2008
If you are under the age of 45 and your starting body mass is under 50 BMI then you will most likely not need to have plastic surgery to remove the excess skin from weight loss. There are other factors that may play into this. If you are a Sun Worshiper (IE: if you spent a good portion of your life in the sun getting a tan or went to tanning salons) you may have damaged your skin's ability to rebound and it may not be elastic enough to shrink. You may require surgery even if you fall into the category above. There are those that have genetic issues that would keep them from having skin that is elastic enough to rebound and not need surgery. There are other possible issues that would keep the skin from rebounding but I am not an expert on the subject and you would need to consult with a plastic surgeon or a skin care expert about this to learn more. I only know this because my wife is a Nurse Practitioner and she researched the subject when she was looking at the surgery for ME. This is what she discovered and told me when she made her discovery. There is no NEED to have the skin removed after weight loss. The issue is usually a matter that is considered a cosmetic problem and not a health risk. I hope this helps, Hugh
   — hubarlow

May 14, 2008
First, no one can predict who will need (or desire, or feel compelled) to have skin removed after a big weight loss. For me, I was amazed at how little excess skin I had on my back (had been afraid of bat wings) and arms even after losing 300 pounds (I had lost over 250 the first 11 months). Secondly, for some people the excess skin is a medical necessity to have it removed-- this is particularly true for large pannis that can contribute to hernias. Also, many of us with some extra skin can develop serious rashes that can't really be cured medicinally, so surgery is necessary.
   — SteveColarossi

May 14, 2008
Hi, I has the by-pass almost 3 yrs ago and my tummy used to be almost to my knees when I would sit down, well now that I have went down 264 pound Thank GOD that my skin has went backin and I have only a lil bit of sagging skin that I need to work on and I am 41 yrs old. I am able to get around better and out of the house but most of all I can be involved in my son's life again. I had a few problems after my surgery but most people do because you are putting something in your body that isnt suppose to be there but in other words with all the trouble I had would I do it again?? YES in a heart beat !!! I hope and pray that you do great with your surgery and your skin pulls back into place like it is suppose to be. Keep your Faith in the One above and He will guide you through it. Take care have a great day and above all else GOD BLESS YOU !! ~Jen Lambert
   — J. Lambert

May 14, 2008
It depends a lot on you. I lost 150LBS and I have some excess skin. Not enough to have insurance pay to remove it. My face and neck are great. No sagging skin at all and I am 43. My stomach a little my arms I have bat wings and inside my thighs I have a little. My friend had it done and she looks like an old lady now with all the wrinkles. Excercise is key. It may not prevent any sagging but it will help
   — Joanc

May 14, 2008
I had a BMI over 50 and was 62. After my first 100 pounds, I have very little sagging skin because I have done everything the docs told me to do. Stick to the health diet, fresh meast lot fat dairy, fresh fruits and vegatables and not more than 1000 calories a day, of whiuch 70% of my calories need to come from Protein, that is Meats, Low Fat Dairy, and Beans. No carbs, and that includs breads, rice pasta and potatoes. Next excersize to you want to drop, and make sure you are doing all kinds ofexcersize to work all your mussels by week 5 following surgery. I do three streching classes a week, and took up golf in addition to having a personal trainer one day a week at the gym, but I go every day 6 days a week, even if it has to be 5:00 AM or midnight to get it in my day. I just added swimming. I use skin lotions every night on the areas that as loose, to give oils to them. After 5 months they tell me in the next 6 months I will have some loose skin under my upper arms and legs, but if I keep wearing spandex undergarments my stomach appears to be pulling the skin in and I realy can't beleive it at my age. I got hope from one of the women in our support group that did all this and after 200 Lbs, she wore a 2 piece bathing suit to the meeting to show off her body with almost no hanging or sagging skin and a body that looks like she has been that way all her life. She also had a very smal amount under her arms, but she is developing more musele to replace the small sag in her skin. Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

May 15, 2008
There is sagging skin in the beginning. For many, it tightens up over time with a good work out and muscle toning. Good skin care helps. You have to keep the skin moisturized and fed (vitamins and minerals that are good for your health as well as your skin) Use a light sun block even with your dark skin. Exfoliate with a body and face scrubbing 3 times a week to get rid of pale lifeless skin and promote healthy new skin growth...you'll see a difference with these things much faster. It doesn't have to be expensive to take care of your skin...In some places the skin is stretched beyond repair...I can live with my little problem spots...but I went from 315 to 165 (pear shape) My legs are my least favorite...but they always were my trouble area. Oh well...I'm not into plastic surgery...I get really weak and ill looking at photos...I can't do that! LOL But so many do and are happy with their results...Maybe one day I can overcome it and fix my legs and my NECK! I hate the little tiny turkey neck thing! Good luck...Get healthy first...Skin later...
   — .Anita R.