Question:
Does everyone have loose skin after the surgery?

I am 31 years old 5'9" tall and 268 pounds. A couple of years ago I lost 70 pounds, only to gain it back again. I didn't have any loose skin then. Does the rapid weight loss make it more of a problem. Also does anyone have pictures of tummy tucks?    — Linda A. (posted on April 2, 2002)

April 2, 2002
Hi, I'm a 27 years old and little over 6 months post-op and about 30 pounds away from goal (goal=130). I don't know about everyone else, but I do have a lot of sagging skin. I've already met with a plastic surgeon to start discussing my options. Fortunately, I don't really have a large problem in my stomach area (he thinks a little lipo will take care of that), but my main concerns are my thighs, they are just chunks and they are hangin! The only fix for them would be a thigh tuck which is similar to a tummy tuck (they cut off the excess skin and fat and sew you up) and eventually a boob lift. My boobs (forgive my crude expressions) are worse than the 70-90 year olds I work with and take care of (fortunately a good up lift bra helps conceal that), I just hope I can afford it. Everyone is different, it depends on how much you have hanging, how much of that bothers (I'm sure it bothers you as much as me as we're both pretty young and in my opinion, we're young enough to do it and really enjoy it!) you and how much you can afford. Of course, I can pick out a bunch of spots I'd like to have worked on, but my $$$ limits me to how much I can tolerate. Good luck!
   — Kelley S.

April 2, 2002
Hi, I'm a little over 8 months post-op. I've lost 97lbs. I've got enough loose skin that on a windy day, I can imitate the row of flags blowing in the wind outside the U.N. 97lbs ago, the flesh was sort of oatmeal-like, but full. Now it has the consistency of a balloon that is only partially deflated. I see sagging and drooping. My breasts were always droopy, but now that I've lost a good bit of body fat, they are lying flat against my chest. I've spoken to my surgeon about future plastic surgery work. He will recommend the plastic surgeon when the time comes. I'm still about 75-80lbs away from goal weight. As for the cost of it all, I got the impression that it's similar to what many of us have experienced with WLS. My understanding is that a healthcare program will cover the cosmetic surgeries because they are linked to the WLS.
   — Jennifer P.

April 2, 2002
Anyone who loses a great amount of weight will have sagging areas. Mine are in my upper legs and upper arms. I've been told that if I exercise more, it will get firm. We'll see.
   — dolphins94

April 2, 2002
Remember that this is not necessarily costmetic surgery. If the extra skin is causing medical problems, the insurance is likely to cover it because it's considered reconstructive. If they consider it strictly cosmetic, it probably won't be covered.
   — garw