Question:
I AM 3 YRS OUT LOST 200 LBS AND HAVE ABOUT 35 LBS OF X-TRA SKIN

AS EVERYONE KNOWS PLASTIC SURGERY IS SOOOOO EXPENSIVE AND AFTER ALL I HAVE LOST IM LEFT LOOKING LIKE A WRINKLED SAGGY SKIN BODY! I LOOK GREAT IN CLOTHES WITH KILLER BRA THAT MAKES ME LOOK LIKE I HAVE BREAST AND TIGHTS TO HOLD LEGS IN.I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE FEELS LIKE ME, I FEEL LIKE IM DECEIVING PEOPLE WHEN I GO OUT THEY THINK I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BODY LITTLE DO THEY KNOW WHAT WILL FALL OUT IF THE CLOTHES WERE OFF.IM A SINGLE MOM OF 3 BOY'S WANTING TO DATE AND HAVE A WALL UP BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM . CAN ANYONE RELATE?    — melindameyers (posted on March 18, 2009)

March 18, 2009
i am a single mom of one and she is 13 and i know how you feel . the fact that the clothes are hiding our body . but what should matter to you as a mother as a person is how you feel about your self . you know when i try to date i tell them i have had that the bypass and i have lost like you about 200 pounds and then due to stress i add some back but i have about 65 more to go to be where i want to be . but it has been 5 yrs going on six since i have had this surgery and i would not change nothing and if i had to do it all over again i would . so just let your walls down little by little . you look great inside and out . give dating a chance cause you know what some guys understand about all this . give them a chance . if you would like to talk more just write me back
   — lizzie72

March 18, 2009
I am not single, but my guy is so supportive, much more than I thought he would ever be to tell you the truth. Honest is the best policy. Find someone, hit it off when the timing is right tell him. If it's meant to be - he won't care. All I can say is I am glad I do not go out naked and am able to hide the wrinkly little body under clothes. It's be invite only to see someone naked, so unless you are going to invite him to see you - no worries. But again be honest when the time is right.
   — jammerz

March 18, 2009
I can relate big time, almost word for word, but I also need reconstructive surgery for health problems. I live in Canada and OHIP (health plan) does not seem to want to cover the surgery. Or more like it, no plastic surgeon wants to take what little money that OHIP will pay!! I get REALLY bad rashes, cysts and boils that need to be opened drained and packed by a dr., then community care has to take care of the packing all the time. Because of the malabsorpstion problem we face, oral antibiotics don't work, so some times I have to be hospitalized and put on IV antibiotics. If you don't have these problems, you are lucky, try and think of it that way. I wish you good luck, and if you want to talk, contact me. I think one of the other answers was wise though. We should be glad that the health problems we had before the surgery are ok now, and what we think of ourselves will rub off on other people, especially your children. Try and be proud of what you have worked so hard for!!
   — shelleyjean39

March 18, 2009
I understand what you are saying. I've lost 140 lbs. and have 34 more to go to reach my goal. I love the way I'm looking....in clothes that is. But once they come off I'm like, ugh!!! I feel so good about myself and have come a long way, I just wish my skin would have worked with me. I hope to have some type of plastic surgery in the future. I am married and my husband says I look great and would like for me to stop losing now. I feel like when I was bigger, everything was firm and set and now it's all saggy and hanging but I could have never done this without the surgery so if it means being a little saggy, nobody knows but my husband and I and he's not complaining so I can live with it. We must learn to love ourselves from the inside and then the outside will come.
   — PAWLLA L.

March 18, 2009
I am not single but I can relate. I too have the extra skin problem and insurance just won't cooperate with me. I am in the process of an appeal right now but it doesn't look good so I have started a savings account just for this purpose and every spare dime I can put in it I do. It will take awhile to save a down payment but that is my goal and then just like a car payment I plan on having this surgery done. Most of the plastic surgeons out there will work out a payment plan. I just need to have a down payment to bring the payment down to a manageable monthly payment. My husband and I are on a limited budget since we are up their in age. I am sure with the boys you face the same problem. So my suggestion is you go ahead and date and start your own little savings account. If you find a wonderful man out their that you think will be good to you and your boys at the right time you can tell him your story. If he is the right man for you he will understand and stick by you. My man is still here and he likes a woman with some meat on her as he puts it but he understands that the health issues were just too compelling for me to stay fat any longer so this new thinner me is a okay with him. So...good luck with finding just the right person to share your life and good luck with the surgery. God's Blessings to you and your boys. Norma Jean, Grandma in NC
   — njkbutton

March 18, 2009
Your complaint is a valid one. I am long from the constructive part but some on told me that if U live near a teaching hospital U can get a great discount by using them. Of course everything is over seen by a Board Certified doctor. Good luck.
   — chell1957

March 19, 2009
I am married and have lost 207 pounds I am a wrinkled mess. I live is south Louisiana and love to wear shorts and go swimming. My hubby has always supported me even be4 I lost the weight. I still have a few pounds to go. I had surgery 3/25/2008. I don't know if I ever will be able to afford the surgery to remove all the skin from my legs, arms, stomach, butt and breast. But I look at it like this at least I am healthier than I was a year ago and I have a better chance of watching my grandkids grow up. Wish the insurance companies would lighten up and realize that skin removal should be covered. Maybe one day. Good luck to you and you will meet the right guy. Bev
   — KajunMomX3