Question:
ADVICE on excess skin

Hello, I am 1 year and a half out from surgury, and have lost 110 pounds which puts me at 155. I am 5ft 7in so that is a good weight for me, BUT I have so much extra skin and I am really afraid of getting plastic surgury done. My body is small, just I have hanging skin in my stomach and legs and it is gross.... Anyone have some advice for me? I have been working out, but does nothing for that extra skin...I don't really want to lose anymore weight, but I have all this skin to get rid of? If push come to shove, I will have to see a plastic surgeon, which I really don't want to. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks,    — Tanya F. (posted on April 20, 2005)

April 20, 2005
Tanya, If the working out is not working, there is not much you can do, but talk to a plastic surgeon. When we lose so much weight wo quickly, the elastic doesn't go back in place. Sorry, I couldn't be more help, but a Tumy Tuck will make you feel lots better about life & your self. Good luck, just talk to several Plastic surgeons befor you make a decision on it. Where do you Live?
   — Marilyn C.

April 20, 2005
I have also lost 110 pounds. I did have a tummy tuck and thigh lift. It was the best thing I did. I lost 2 jean sizes and the doc took 8 pounds of skin. It was worth the discomfort. I was sore for about a week. Unfortunately after a person turns 40 the skin just doesn't have the elasticity of a 20 year old. Good luck. Mona
   — monymony

April 20, 2005
There's nothing you can do if all the elasticity is gone from your skin. We can't put it back. Exercise helped my arms some by "filling in" the skin with muscle, but my thighs and panni were beyond hope. PS is the only way to get rid of it.
   — mom2jtx3

April 20, 2005
Tanya, exercise, age and skin elasticity are what determines how well loose skin retracts. My surgeon recommends we wait 2 years after we reach our goal weight to have PS because then you will know how much PS you'll need. He said it takes that long for our skin to do it thing. I know that PS will be in my future but it'll be awhile since I'm a newbie. Dana Dana
   — cajungirl

April 20, 2005
before I lost the weight I was SURE the skin would not be a problem and I wouldn't care about it if I was thin and healthy. Well, I lost the weight and the skin was hideous. I was scared of PS, of the pain, the cost etc. I have now had several procedures, I won't kid you , it has been painful. It is so worth every bit if hard work to pay for it, and it is looking fantastic. Just had a thigh lift and breast lift & implants last sat, and even swollen , bruised and in pain I can tell you it will be worth it. I look and feel like a new woman. I always say, the WLS was about my health. I had to lose the weight or it was going to cripple and eventually kill me. The plastics are about looking as good as I feel. The tummy tuck, lower body lift did more for my self esteem tham the 130 pounds I lost previously. for the first time in my life as an adult I feel attractive. It feels so good.
   — **willow**