Question:
post effects of lapband

Currently I weigh 240, ht:5'7. I am scheduled for the lapband in 5/2008. I am concerned with hanging skin. I wanted to know if I work out throughout my weight loss w/the band, will I avoid the loose skin.    — savoy7658 (posted on March 19, 2008)

March 19, 2008
You did not say how old you are?? Age has alot to do with it too. It will help but I doubt all of it will vanish with exercise.
   — blueyes711

March 19, 2008
IF YOU ARE UNDER 35 YEARS OLD AT YOUR CURRENT WEIGHT AND HEIGHT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TONE UP WITH EXCERSIZE. OVER 35 TO 45 IS STILL POSSIBLE BUT OVER 45 THERE WILL BE SOME SKIN THAT WILL NOT FIRM UP. I WAS 62 WHEN I HAD WLS AND EXCERSIZE MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE, BUT I WAS TOO OLD TO EXPECT ALL THE SKIN TO COME BACK TO MY FORMER YOUTHFUL POSITION.
   — William (Bill) wmil

March 19, 2008
Some of the factors are: Exercise (get lots, it really helps with skin shrinkage), hydration (drink lots of water and use creams and lotions to keep skin hydrated). Exfoliation with a loofa or something like it can also be helpful, as it increases blood circulation and removes dead skin cells. Another factor you have no control over, besides age, is genetics. If you have very elastic skin, and heal very well from injuries, this also helps with skin shrinkage. Good luck!!
   — Shirley D.

March 20, 2008
What is your age? I am 35 but I had gastric bypass. my weight was 284 and now its 215. my hanging skin is my tummy, but other then that i have no hanging skin. my mom is 60 and had the gastric too and she has so much hanging skin she wishes she was still fat. Hope I helped :)
   — aluvzu2

March 20, 2008
It's wierd, I am also worried about the hanging skin and sometimes think I would rather be fat. I can't afford any kind of surgery after so I am unsure if I want to go throught the surgery or not. I am 260 and 5'5' and 46 years old and will probably have alot of loose skin. I know I need the surgery for health reasons but think that the loose skin is awful looking. I can live with the way I look now.
   — LindaD.

March 20, 2008
Excess skin is dependant on many factors, Age, how long you have been overweight and excerise. The reality is that if you have been heavy for a long time, every your age won't prevent you from having sagging. I am 6 weeks out from surgery and I worried about this before hand, myself. For me, the desire to be healthy outweighted the thought of sagging skin, down the road. My advice would be to concentrate on having a safe and sucessful proceedure and keep your eye on the horizon. Excersize and hydration will always be beneficial, either way. Good luck!
   — Jeanne Aldrich

March 20, 2008
My husband and I both had lapband in January. Both are 41. I started at 300 5'3 he started at 310 5'8. I am down 40 he is down 50. We have a long way to go but no hanging skin as of yet and have been obese for at least 15 years. We are both exercising and getting plenty of fluids. With lapband you lose slowly and it gives your body and skin time to keep up with the loss better than gastric. This was one of the reasons we chose lap over gastric after talking to people who had both. I am worried about my arms, I can tell that with enough weight loss there will be some sagging skin there but a small price to pay if I live to see my children grow up and have families of there own. Good luck with your surgery. Any questions about lapband please feel free to contact me,
   — changemyshape

March 25, 2008
Hi. I have been overweight all of my adult life. When I was 25 I managed to lose 30kg (66lbs) and I had alot of loose skin, I found that even though i was young my skin did not tighten up. 12months after that I had a total abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with liposuction and was really pleased with my result.... unfortunately in the past 3 years I have slowly put on 60lbs and I am having a lap band next month. Good luck with your band, I look forward to hearing your progress
   — claireaust