Question:
Can you help the skin without getting plastic surgery and when do you decide?

I am 6 months post-op have lost 106# and now am at a 3wk platuae. I'm not sure when to start thinking about plastic surgery. I had a open RNY and am not looking forward to anymore surgies. My arms and stomach are so loose, is there anything I can do on my own to help this so I wont need the plastic surgery? Thanks for the help!    — Sandy M. (posted on March 31, 2003)

March 31, 2003
Sandy--your skin is constantly renewing itself. As the outside layer is shed, the inner layers surface. Your skin is trying to keep up with the weight loss, but it will lag behind by a certain amount, based on how fast you are losing, how much you lose total, and how old you are (older people's skin renews itself more slowly). Your best bet is to exfoliate your skin often to encourage new skin growth. Also, use a good moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated. Once you are loosing at a slower rate, your skin will eventually catch up. But if you don't want to wait for it, you can opt for surgery.
   — Brittany C.

March 31, 2003
I have been considering having a TT as well, more for vanity than anything. I am over 1-1/2 years out and am still not sure if this is too soon! At 6 months it's too soon to consider a tummy-tuck. Your skin is trying to catch up and it will take quite some time before it does bounce back. There really isn't anything you can do about it, but give it some time. I almost forgot about this... as I lost weight my skin was really loose, but during the plateau, it would start to tightening up. I think it's a time for your body to catch up to the massive weight loss. Plateaus do serve a purpose!
   — arebella