dandeegan

It's a fight most of us need to fight eventually. I'm over 140lbs lost now, and I still feel fat cause of this skin thing. I don't think I'll feel right until it's all hacked off, especially in my legs right now!

My arms and shoulders look fantastic (i work out five days a week and my arms are starting to look like a bodybuilder's), but the rest of me looks like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers after he loses a bunch of weight. I was really hoping this wouldn't happen, at least not at this level. Time to spend like $10,000 or more on a Tummy Tuck, then who knows how much more on an inner thigh lift (or whatever it's called), and something needs to be done about the turkey neck, and the leftover man-boob. I have a butt crack under my belly button!
People say the loose skin is worth it because you're healthier. It's definitely true. I am thrilled to not use my sleep apnea machine anymore and can walk without back pain. That said, the reality for many of us is that we also want to finally look good, which makes us feel good in a way that's different from "yay my edema is gone!". I want to experience what it's like to take my shirt off at the beach and not feel like everyone's looking at me for the wrong reasons. I'm waaaaay better off now than I was eight months ago (in many ways), but now I look like a shar pei. I traded one type of gross for another!
Moral of the story - if you have a lot of weight to lose and get this surgery, be ready for the possibility that you may have to spend a ton of money and spend many extra sick days at work getting skin removed. Also, make sure you work out like a beast to minimize how skinny-fat you look once you do lose the weight. If I wasn't at the gym as much as I am, I'd probably look like complete crap right now.

My arms and shoulders look fantastic (i work out five days a week and my arms are starting to look like a bodybuilder's), but the rest of me looks like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers after he loses a bunch of weight. I was really hoping this wouldn't happen, at least not at this level. Time to spend like $10,000 or more on a Tummy Tuck, then who knows how much more on an inner thigh lift (or whatever it's called), and something needs to be done about the turkey neck, and the leftover man-boob. I have a butt crack under my belly button!
People say the loose skin is worth it because you're healthier. It's definitely true. I am thrilled to not use my sleep apnea machine anymore and can walk without back pain. That said, the reality for many of us is that we also want to finally look good, which makes us feel good in a way that's different from "yay my edema is gone!". I want to experience what it's like to take my shirt off at the beach and not feel like everyone's looking at me for the wrong reasons. I'm waaaaay better off now than I was eight months ago (in many ways), but now I look like a shar pei. I traded one type of gross for another!
Moral of the story - if you have a lot of weight to lose and get this surgery, be ready for the possibility that you may have to spend a ton of money and spend many extra sick days at work getting skin removed. Also, make sure you work out like a beast to minimize how skinny-fat you look once you do lose the weight. If I wasn't at the gym as much as I am, I'd probably look like complete crap right now.

I previously lost 170# and started at 386. My flabby skin was not too bad because like you I worked out like a demon. I did marathons, 1/2 ironman, century rides on bike, MT bike races etc. then I put the weight back on over the next 2.5 years. I am 3 months post surgery and down 80# but I think my skin is way worse now than before and I still have 90# to go! I read some of the posts about the various surgeries and they all sound way worse than getting the sleeve. I may get the skin removed but my thought was to wait until I hit goal weight and kept it there for a minimum of two years. Are you going to wait or just dive right in?

I hear ya man! I was sleeved in May and have lost 105 pounds. I wish I would have seen warning like this on loose skin before hand. It's still been a great process.....but this part has been disapointing. I too have been working out a lot and my arms aren't too bad....but my stomach is horrible. Lately I've been wearing a compression shirt (http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MESREU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It doesn't help when I want to take my shirt off at the beach. But the rest of the times it makes me feel so much more firm. It keeps my stomach skin from hanging there and flapping around.

I'm with you and the butt crack under the belly button and the Turkey neck at 9 months out but trying to think that with some strength training maybe it too will slowly go away. Starting on the strength training but if the skin is going to shrink it will be very slowly I suspect. Still I have lost 20inches round the waist so has shrunk a lot already and not going to give up those last few inches easily.

My arms and shoulders look fantastic (i work out five days a week and my arms are starting to look like a bodybuilder's), but the rest of me looks like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers after he loses a bunch of weight. I was really hoping this wouldn't happen, at least not at this level. Time to spend like $10,000 or more on a Tummy Tuck, then who knows how much more on an inner thigh lift (or whatever it's called), and something needs to be done about the turkey neck, and the leftover man-boob. I have a butt crack under my belly button!
People say the loose skin is worth it because you're healthier. It's definitely true. I am thrilled to not use my sleep apnea machine anymore and can walk without back pain. That said, the reality for many of us is that we also want to finally look good, which makes us feel good in a way that's different from "yay my edema is gone!". I want to experience what it's like to take my shirt off at the beach and not feel like everyone's looking at me for the wrong reasons. I'm waaaaay better off now than I was eight months ago (in many ways), but now I look like a shar pei. I traded one type of gross for another!
Moral of the story - if you have a lot of weight to lose and get this surgery, be ready for the possibility that you may have to spend a ton of money and spend many extra sick days at work getting skin removed. Also, make sure you work out like a beast to minimize how skinny-fat you look once you do lose the weight. If I wasn't at the gym as much as I am, I'd probably look like complete crap right now.

My arms and shoulders look fantastic (i work out five days a week and my arms are starting to look like a bodybuilder's), but the rest of me looks like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers after he loses a bunch of weight. I was really hoping this wouldn't happen, at least not at this level. Time to spend like $10,000 or more on a Tummy Tuck, then who knows how much more on an inner thigh lift (or whatever it's called), and something needs to be done about the turkey neck, and the leftover man-boob. I have a butt crack under my belly button!
People say the loose skin is worth it because you're healthier. It's definitely true. I am thrilled to not use my sleep apnea machine anymore and can walk without back pain. That said, the reality for many of us is that we also want to finally look good, which makes us feel good in a way that's different from "yay my edema is gone!". I want to experience what it's like to take my shirt off at the beach and not feel like everyone's looking at me for the wrong reasons. I'm waaaaay better off now than I was eight months ago (in many ways), but now I look like a shar pei. I traded one type of gross for another!
Moral of the story - if you have a lot of weight to lose and get this surgery, be ready for the possibility that you may have to spend a ton of money and spend many extra sick days at work getting skin removed. Also, make sure you work out like a beast to minimize how skinny-fat you look once you do lose the weight. If I wasn't at the gym as much as I am, I'd probably look like complete crap right now.

My arms and shoulders look fantastic (i work out five days a week and my arms are starting to look like a bodybuilder's), but the rest of me looks like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers after he loses a bunch of weight. I was really hoping this wouldn't happen, at least not at this level. Time to spend like $10,000 or more on a Tummy Tuck, then who knows how much more on an inner thigh lift (or whatever it's called), and something needs to be done about the turkey neck, and the leftover man-boob. I have a butt crack under my belly button!
People say the loose skin is worth it because you're healthier. It's definitely true. I am thrilled to not use my sleep apnea machine anymore and can walk without back pain. That said, the reality for many of us is that we also want to finally look good, which makes us feel good in a way that's different from "yay my edema is gone!". I want to experience what it's like to take my shirt off at the beach and not feel like everyone's looking at me for the wrong reasons. I'm waaaaay better off now than I was eight months ago (in many ways), but now I look like a shar pei. I traded one type of gross for another!
Moral of the story - if you have a lot of weight to lose and get this surgery, be ready for the possibility that you may have to spend a ton of money and spend many extra sick days at work getting skin removed. Also, make sure you work out like a beast to minimize how skinny-fat you look once you do lose the weight. If I wasn't at the gym as much as I am, I'd probably look like complete crap right now.

I was sleeved on August 20th and I've lost a ton of weight. Since December though, it seems to have just... stopped. I am concerned. Sometimes when I step on a scale I see that I've even gained a few lbs. Some major noteworthy things that may be relevant:

- I broke my foot on Oct. 19th and was in a cast and crutches for a while. I basically sat on the couch from October until about three weeks ago. I relied on people to shop for me because I couldn't drive nor walk, lived on Thanksgiving and Christmas leftovers, the holidays happened etc.
- On 1/26 I started back at the gym doing weight-training. I have NOT been doing cardio or any exercises that stress my foot because it's still sore. Mostly seated exercises for now (I'm dying to get back on a treadmill).
- I still don't eat much (relative to how much I used to be able to eat), although I can eat significantly more than I could 2-3 months ago.
- I've been feeling hungry lately, enough that I worry about it.

Here's a snippet of my weight log for a visual aid:


8/5/13 - 383
8/19/13 - 343 (surgery was 8/20)

10/21/13 - 293
10/28/13 - 291 (with cast)
11/4/13 - 285 (with cast)
11/18/13 - 275 (with cast)
12/24/13 - 262 (cast was removed)
1/13/14 - 266
1/20/14 - 261 (started back at the gym on 1/26)
2/13/14 - 265 (been working out 4 days a week)

Reading this objectively, I would deduce that between the weights, sitting around from the broken foot and the holiday leftover thing would explain away my concerns, But, I don't really eat bad food in general (chicken, tuna, brown rice, veggies, Protein Shakes when I exercise, etc). My eating isn't perfect but it's 90,000 times better than it was. Plus, I eat maybe 1/3rd in volume than I used to. Also, I was under the impression that the "honeymoon" period of surgery, where weight loss just goes and goes, is at least a year! Is this just a "plateau" and I may notice weight falling off again in a month or so?

Unfortunately I don't have much in the way of tips. I was on crutches for most of my time, and since it is my right foot I wasn't able to drive either. Essentially, I just sat on my couch. If they say you're able to do low impact stuff I imagine (on top of what you already do) the elliptical would be best because your feet don't move at all. If your gym has them, try battle ropes too!

Wow, you tore me up! Excellent harsh post! My language sounded wishy-washy because I didn't want to write a super long post going into too many details. I tried to keep it general, yet honest. I'm working so I don't have time to construct a proper defense, but I will say that my habits are nowhere near as bad as your perception of them. My lunch today was a pre-measured 8oz. container of brown rice, ground turkey with some Sriracha (that I made, weighed and packaged). That's how I live 97% of the time. I could lie and say I eat perfectly all the time, but I don't. If I have company and we order pizza, I eat a slice. We're human. That's all I really meant by the vague statements.
The support group I attend is run by the head nurse of the bariatric program. She always talks about the "honeymoon period" before your metabolism changes to the new caloric intake. They say it's about a year. I was referring to this, not to "well, I can eat 5 pizzas a day for the first year and get away with it!".

Sage advice. It's probably is because I've done nothing but sit around with a broken foot for the last three months. We'll see how it goes now that I can work out again.
I have managed to re-watch most of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis though!

Wow, 109 lobs in five months. You are obviously doing what is right. And even in light of your temporary setbacks, you know what to do to keep the weight coming off. Just keep doing it. You'll get there. Terrific results. Don't let any negatives get to you.

I hear you man, I'm 150 lbs down and the loose skin is a bummer. I'm lifting and using oils and lotions on my skin hoping it helps but there is no way I'll go back to normal without some major surgery. It's really bad between the belly, thighs, and moobs, my arms aren't quite as bad, hopefully I can build the muscle in them. The worst part is I have my first date in forever tomorrow and I just keep thinking about how the hell I'm going to deal with all the hanging skin if things go well after a few dates. I guess I can't escape years of abusing my body so easily.

I don't think you can do much to minimize it other than what you're doing. Spare as much muscle as you can. Keep strength training and keep hydrated. Everything else is purely anecdotal.
I lost 180+ pounds and I had the cottage cheese hangy downy stuff too. Hated it. I'm 2 months post op from my Tummy Tuck and I can't believe the difference. I feel amazing. I'm very happy with the result. It was a much tougher surgery than my sleeve, but well worth it. I felt like I was still fat until I had the surgery. I came out if it with visible abs. Made me realize that skin can really fool you, and play head games with your sanity.
Here's a link to my thread about it. Somewhere in there are the before and after pics.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/266280-tummy-tuck-today/

I've lost over 100lbs in roughly 3.5 months, between the pre-op diet and the surgery itself. I'm starting to feel like a whole new person. I can shop at regular clothing stores (no more Big&Fat), I can fit in restaurant booths, ride roller coasters, I barely ever hear "hey big guy" and stuff like that anymore. It's amazing!
I'm starting to prep myself for the inevitable Tummy Tuck, though. I look like a drippy, melted candle with my shirt off. Nasty cottage cheese-looking stuff around the bottom of my stomach and my belly button now has a butt crack! Don't get me started about the lunchlady arms and the pocket of skin/fat that won't go away on my inner thighs! Now that I'm back in full swing at the gym I'll get back the tons of muscle I've lost (which I can't wait for), but I am aware that the reality is not much can be done about the skin.
I've done a ton of reading and research about it so I am pretty up to speed on this, I just felt like complaining about it to you guys cause I know some of you know are feeling my pain. For those that do, has anyone had any success in minimizing the nastiness?

I was a 48, and in 8 weeks (two week pre-op diet and 6 weeks from surgery) I'm wearing a loose 44. When I was buying the 44 pants a couple of nights ago, I had to keep my hand in my pocket to prevent my shorts from falling down. Pretty much none of my clothing fits me anymore.
On a side note, I can't believe how much weight I've lost in such a short time. It doesn't feel real. I haven't even started back at the gym yet!

That wasn't me that posted the explanation above haha.
PS - I never said I wanted to overeat. I thought I was pretty clear in my original post that I've heard so many opinions about stretching (including the one in the detailed explanation) that I wanted to know what the real deal actually was. The way my doctor explains it is any time you feel full, your stomach is stretching. Having your surgeon make it appear to be such an easy thing to do makes one want to ask around about it.

That wasn't me that posted the explanation above haha.
PS - I never said I wanted to overeat. I thought I was pretty clear in my original post that I've heard so many opinions about stretching (including the one in the detailed explanation) that I wanted to know what the real deal actually was. The way my doctor explains it is any time you feel full, your stomach is stretching. Having your surgeon make it appear to be such an easy thing to do makes one want to ask around about it.

With the pain meds I was taking, the drain bag thing, etc I wasn't even thinking about for about two weeks.

Yeah I did notice that many of the man room threads are invaded by women. That's just how it goes. They can't avoid the temptation of putting their two cents in about.... pretty much everything. My girlfriend concurs with this assessment haha.

Yeah I did notice that many of the man room threads are invaded by women. That's just how it goes. They can't avoid the temptation of putting their two cents in about.... pretty much everything. My girlfriend concurs with this assessment haha.

Hello all,
I'm pretty new here. Just wanted to say I'm glad to see an area that is centered around male-related issues. The information in here will be very helpful for me! Most of the weight loss forums/communities I've seen are mostly women for some reason.

Hello all,
I'm pretty new here. Just wanted to say I'm glad to see an area that is centered around male-related issues. The information in here will be very helpful for me! Most of the weight loss forums/communities I've seen are mostly women for some reason.