Hoping and praying

I can already tell I will need them but the idea of any more abdominal surgery makes me cry. I am hoping not to. I will work out every chance I get and blue cross has a support person who calls me everyday to make sure I am ok. She even made sure I am getting a response from the docs when they will not call me back. She gives me recipes and ideas of what to do. But she has also made it clear that should plastics be needed since my stomach hangs so low then she will help get it covered.

__________________
COLOR="Blue"]Hoping and Praying
Surg/12/05/07
220/140/130
start/current/goal

SueRN

Most plastic surgery is wanted for better appearance. But some reconstructive is needed for medical conditions. I was having chronic rashes and yeast infections under my pannus and chafing rashes between my thighs. The loose skin was causing a medical problem. That, with outstanding documentation from my doctors, got a TT and thigh lift approved by insurance. I am having some problems with chafing rashes under my arms andam fighting with insurance over that. My boobs would be a purely cosmetic and not resconstructive. If you have stretch marks prior to the weight loss, that's a pretty good indicator that you will have loose skin. I worked out throught the weight loss process and actually have great muscle tone. You just couldn't see it thru all the loose skin. I heard the same thing from our doctors that it might help. It just doesn't and I wish they would stop telling people that. Also that you can decrease the hair loss by getting your protein in. That's another myth too. I always was able to get in my protein, took all my supplements, avoided coloring my hair, yada, yada, yada, but it just didn't help. Some people end up with a small little pouch on the belly, and some stomachs hang well below the crotch. Sue

Gina in NY

I was hoping plastics would make me look more normal, but more importantly, I couldn't run with all the loose skin - it hurt my back and hip too much. I wasn't at goal when I had it done, but never could have hoped to become an athlete without it though. The loose skin was just to "bobbly" and interfered with cycling too (I couldn't have bent down low over the bike with the 10 pounds of skin in there). Now that it is gone, I can run as much as I want and the cycling is going great.

To sort of sum up what others have said, being young, genetics and exercise all have a role in how your skin reacts to the weight loss, but you won't know till you get there. Everyone is different as is every body. Some people do well in one area and not in another. Your face and arms could be great, but your thighs might not - no one knows.

Also, as John said, things change over the years afterwards. If you lose the weight fast , your skin may catch up a bit later but it might not. There are no absolutes. Sorry.

__________________
Gina in NY
288/261/155 - 5'3"
High/Pre-op/Current
Goal - 19% BF. Dr. Goal - 150 My next goal: 135?
Open RNY 6/20/06 Plastics 7/27/07
TT Gym rat club member #5

LisaBoston

My tummy tuck was a necessity. I know in the long run there was no way I would be able to be active without pain and keep the skin. I have always been obese from a small child. My skin did not go back. I lost over 160 pounds and weigh around 150 now.

__________________
Lisa
aka....Canadian Bear and her Canadian Bear Cubs!
Open RNY - Jan 30, 2006
Tummy Tuck - June 4, 2007
314/152/180
start/now/goal
BMI 45.7/22.1/26.2

Tashini

I've been overweight all my life and had a TT and thigh lift Dec 2007. My apron was unsightly and I was getting rashes in the crease so it really had to go. My thighs still look messy but I shall live with that. My boobs have all gone and all that is left are two wrinkly blobs on my chest where they used to be and my over half the size of my arms is loose skin. I shall be having both my boobs and arms done.

I will never feel like a woman unless I have breasts. IMHO it seems such a shame to undertake surgery to look normal and still feel like a freak due to skin issues.


T xxx

__________________
RNY 20 July 2006
Current Weight 10st 7lbs or 147lbs for my US cousins

Fat Free

I have lost about 115 pounds and still want to lose about 20 to 25 more. At this time I could go without plastics. I have had 5 babies so considering that fact and the weight lost my stomach actually looks pretty good. The biggest down fall on my belly is my hernia. It makes me look pregnant . The girls are a whole other story. I went from a full size D to a very small B. I look at them without a bra and they remind me of wrinkle apricots. . My inner thighs are starting to look a little funky but that I could live with. Now with a bra, some spanks and some cute clothes I don't look bad at all. My goal is to lose my 20 to 25 pounds and then get plastics. I cant wait! I am going to get a tummy tuck and some nice big boobs. OK not Dolly Parton size but for my body shape they will be a double D. I tried them on and boy will they look good. . I guess my point is exercise will help with the muscle but not really with the skin. The only thing I can suggest is to use a very hydrated lotion. It will not fix the problem but it will help the problem. Hydrated skin has more elasticity than dry skin. I use bath and body products every morning and every night and can tell a difference in my skin. It looks healthier and feels so soft. Good luck to you.

__________________
Alexandria
Surgery - November 20, 2006
Dr. DeBarros -Tempe Arizona
289/175/155
start/now as of 1/17/2008/goal
Height 5'7

114 pounds GONE forever!!!!!!!!!

Only 20 pounds to go!

paige52

I have a bit of a punch and lots of wrinkly skin in the thigh/buttocks area. totally wiling ot live with it. I don't get rashes or have issues with flappy skin holding me back in any area so I'm good.

Lycra holds it all together when I need to look good in a dress.

__________________

213/110/130 Preop/Current/Goal

Open RNY 9/26/06 Height 5' 4"

Claire-in-Texas

I look awful naked. However, in my size 6 clothes I think I look presentable. I'm happy with that. I have had so many surgeries in my life (before wls), and I just don't feel like doing another one.

As has been said, it's a personal choice.

And, I owuld rather have some excess skin and be thin than have all the health issues of being morbidly obese (in my case).

__________________
Claire
4'10"
T-T CRUISE DIRECTOR!
e-mail me for info on our December cruise - clairepeters@sbcglobal.net
Proud TT Bears Member: ClaireBear
Lap RNY - 4/9/07. Pre-op, 236 lbs - Current: 116 lbs. - Goal: 126 lbs.
CENTURY CLUB: 11/26/07 Wooo Hoooooo!!!
Starting Size: 24/3X -- Current Size: 4, 5, or 6 Petite
GOAL weight on 1/9/08 - currently 10 lbs UNDER Goal!
More than HALF of me GONE!!!!!

Before/After Pics.....

An OMAHA JIM Quote: DARE TO LIVE!!

goingslimfast

As much as I've lost, I have no need for plastics. Thank God!!!

__________________
Teresa <><

gastric RNY 07-19-06 with Dr. Michael Schmit
Saint Alexius Hospital Bismarck ND
pre-op weight 262
current weight 144
goal weight 135
Dr's. goal weight 127 - not anymore

The greatest decision one can make, is the decision to be happy.


http:/www.myspace.com/kadiddelhopper

Amandazon247

I opened a savings account the day I decided to do surgery. I am doing this to be healthy but I also want to look resentable to my husband once its all over.. he loves me just like I am now and would love me all wrinkly but I dont know if I would feel sexy like that so we will see how bad it is and then if I dont need surgery we can go on a second honey moon with the money...