Question:
After losing 100 pounds, what happens to all the extra skin?

Is cosmetic surgery often done after people drop, say, from 300 to 150 pounds?    — Sandy W. (posted on October 15, 1998)

October 15, 1998
A lot of the skin issue is out of your control - so much of it is determined by your age, the genes you inherited from your parents, how long you've been obese, and how rapidly you're losing. What is in your control is drinking lots and lots of water, moisturizing your skin, and exercising - not just aerobically, but strength training as well. After dropping 126 pounds, I've noticed my skin is bouncing back pretty well. I'm 33, exercise (aerobic/strength) a lot, and drink lots of water. But I still have a ways to go. I never had the huge stomach, so I don't think I'll need a tummy tuck, but I do think I want to save up and have a breast lift - it would be nice to be "perky" once in my life! Many, many people need a tummy tuck, especially because they end up with this "apron" of skin that hangs down to their thighs. I haven't heard of many people having their thighs or arms worked on, but a fair amount will have chest (men) or breast (women) jobs. As you're losing initially, don't freak out. Although the skin may look very loose at first, after time, it may tighten up. I wouldn't get plastic surgery done right away, but I'd give my body 6 months or so to see if it's going to tighten up on its own.
   — Christine B.

October 22, 1998
I have lost 135 lbs and still have approx 110 more to go before I'm at my goal of 170 lbs. I will be having a tummy tuck, possible thigh lift and multiple hernia repairs in 3-4 weeks. I carry my weight in my stomach and have a huge apron that if I don't have on a girdle, hangs down to mid-thigh. (Very gross!) I plan on getting a breast reduction/lift and batwing removal when I get to goal which will hopefully be in late spring.
   — Kathy J.

March 14, 1999
Rember, when you lose weight as a direct result of weight loss surgery and your skin is hanging in folds from your body,( example, apron, underarms, innerthigh etc.) the corrective surgery that follows is NOT COSMETIC SURGERY!! It is called REDUNDANCY SURGERY because it is for the removal of all that redundant skin that we no longer need. Along with skin removal, sometimes muscle tightening is done and should also be covered by insurance. Cosmetic and Redundancy surgery, by definition,should never be confused or used interchangeably, never let yourself be bullied into doing that either. Sometimes the choice of words alone will make or break your request for insurance coverage.
   — Kaushia