Question:
Afraid to lose anymore cause of the excess skin-Long Post!!!

I went from 380 to 236 in about 22 months-I will be 2 yrs post op this March- I'm 5'6 and wear about 16/18 from a 30/32-LAtely I've been thinking about getting serious about losing anoter 100lbs through south beach diet, or at the very least definitely another 50-I already have loose skin which is mostly on my arms, stomach, and back and my breasts look like someone stuck a pin in them and I'm only 24 years old. I'm scared to lose anymore weight because I don't want any more of this wretched skin hanging off of me-I've recently joined a gym and am going to work out with a trainer soon to start trying to tone-I see a plastic surgeon next week about my stomach and breasts and will talk to him about my arms too-I just don;t know if it is better to stop here and tone up and get rid of WHAT I have through exercise and plastic surgery or go for my goal of 100 -I just always wanted to be under 200lbs I have not been that way in such a long time-Anbody have any advice or words of encouragement-I'm also engaged and he didn;t know me when I was fat and I don't want him to ever find out how i used to be i find myself hiding old pics of myself when he visits I'm embarassed to be naked around him becaus of this skin if I think it's disgusting god only knows what he thinks-especially with my boobs hanging down-Any help people is appreciated ...Thanks Tori    — TotallyTori (posted on January 27, 2005)

January 27, 2005
Hi and congrats on your weight loss it's ok to feel that way about the hanging skin I to feel that way about mine and I am married and was married when I had the surgery as far as you losing more weight well that is pretty much up to you but you may end up under the 200 mark just after having the other surgeries that you are looking into and you maybe well satisfied also I think that you should consider talking to fiance about your wtls that is when you feel a little more comfortable with it because if he loves you nowhe will love you after the story and probably be proud of you good luck in whatever decision you do make
   — JENNIFER S.

January 27, 2005
You can exercise forever, unfortunately once your skin is stretched, it most of the time will not go back where you want it too. I would concentrate on losing the extra weight. If you lose that and then have plastic surgery, your fiance would certainly understand why you would have hanging skin after such a drastic weight loss and need the plastic surgery. But trust me, you might want to tell him about how you used to be. At some point your going to run into someone who knew you when you were fat and they will "out you". If your fiance can't handle that you USED to be fat, then this probably isn't a person you want to marry as the marriage isn't being built on trust, honesty and most of loving who you are AND who you were. We all have pasts. If someone can't accept you for that, there not the right person. I'd rather know that now then wait until I'm married to find out.
   — Patty H.

January 27, 2005
WOW congrats on the weightloss!!! Looks like your rready for reconstructive surgery. Please dont stop loosing weight because of your skin sagging more. Now is the time to visit a plastic surgeon who has worked with wls patients. From your previous weight you should easily qualify for reconstructive surgery. A tt and or panniculectomy, lower body lift, upper arms, bilaterial theigh, lift, breast reduction if your breast a large and pendulous. Wow a whole new world and body awaits you!!! At first I thought now way I'd ever have plastic surgery, but now that I have had a panni, muscle tightening, and breast reduction form a 52FFF pre wls to a perfect 38C I love my new body, I need my arms done and theighs, but this is more than I could have ever hoped for. You have come so far in such a short journey. I know how you feel with the skin sagging and being embarresed, but now after 26 years of marriage, and a better body than I have ever had in my life, I finaly feel sexy, and look cute in sexy clothes. When your with your boyfriend, stop and look at the sexy lingere and small cute clothes and see if he would like to see you in something like that, and then mention your thoughts on plastic surgery (reconstructive), especialy if you plan to merry him, you still need a support system. Visit the plastic surgery message board here on obesityhelp and do research. Alot of us that have had reconstructive are now reconstructive junkies,lol, we love the new us and the total body changing results, its truly amazing. And with most plastic surgeries and the excess skin and flab off you may be near the goal you intend to reach. Good luck let me know what you think about reconstructive surgery. Rosemary
   — wizz40

January 27, 2005
Hi Victoria :) Coming from a similar starting weight and having reached below goal weight (370 lbs to 144 lbs), the excess skin was unreal. This was despite LOTS of exercise, weight training, healthy eating, etc... Insurance denied all needed reconstructive surgery with the exception of abdominoplasty and breast lift, and I had these along with a belt lipectomy done just 1 1/2 weeks ago. My second round of reconstructive surgery is in Feb. Photos are up in my picturetrail at http://picturetrail.com/carolineam if you are interested in viewing by befores/afters for WLS and reconstructive surgery. My advice would be to lose all the weight you can lose and then maintain at that weight for at least a few months before having plastic/reconstructive surgery, and don't let the excess skin stop you from trying to lose more weight. Trust me on this fact - it's MUCH easier to hide excess skin under clothing than it is fat... Hope this helps and wishing you the best!
   — CarolineAnnMartin

January 27, 2005
Hi Victoria :) Coming from a similar starting weight and having reached below goal weight (370 lbs to 144 lbs), the excess skin was unreal. This was despite LOTS of exercise, weight training, healthy eating, etc... Insurance denied all needed reconstructive surgery with the exception of abdominoplasty and breast lift, and I had these along with a belt lipectomy done just 1 1/2 weeks ago. My second round of reconstructive surgery is in Feb. Photos are up in my picturetrail at http://picturetrail.com/carolineam if you are interested in viewing by befores/afters for WLS and reconstructive surgery. My advice would be to lose all the weight you can lose and then maintain at that weight for at least a few months before having plastic/reconstructive surgery, and don't let the excess skin stop you from trying to lose more weight. Trust me on this fact - it's MUCH easier to hide excess skin under clothing than it is fat... Hope this helps and wishing you the best!
   — CarolineAnnMartin

January 27, 2005
In my opinion, the worst thing you could do is have reconstructive surgery and then try to loose more weight. It will be a waste of time. You'll need to do it all over again. The other poster is right- excess skin is easy to hide under clothes, FAT isn't! So, try to loose more weight and hold off on the PS as long as possible. Also- a word of advice from an old married lady- if you know your man well enough to be engaged, but are still uncomfortbale and trying to hide things from him about your past...that's not a good way to start any marriage. You have to be up front with him and have a good long talk. You can't deny who you were and you can't start a marriage based on lies. Good luck to you.
   — LMCLILLY