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I chose vertical thigh lift, abdominal plastic and lower body lift first. Then arms and breast.

I was bothered most by my thighs but my belly was a close second. Had a vertical thigh lift, tummy tuck and lower body lift in August and very pleased with the results. I think what ever is most stressing to you is where you should start.

My loss was slow but it came off eventually. Have patience 😊

Gas comes with laparoscopic surgery. It will get better.😊

If you lose a great deal of weight you will have extra saggy skin. Whether or not you are bothered by it is very individualized. I was but some are not.

I am 52 and had gastric bypass conversation from band 4/2014. Had a slow weight loss but lost 115lb over 18 months. Had plastics for lower body lift, tummy tuck and vertical thigh lift 7/2017 which took off another 5 lb of extra skin. The conversation to bypass was the best decision followed closely by the plastics. Good luck to all just starting or in the midst of this journey.

I hope!

I am five days from plastic surgery for tummy tuck, lower body lift and vertical thigh lift. Equal part nervous and excited.

You are on your way! Keep up the good work!

Thank you!

Thank you so much! I have been getting such wonderful emotional support from this website and all the great folks like you!

First two days I had severe pain 7-9. I was also very afraid of taking the IV pain meds which looking back on it was not a wise choice. I was more uncomfortable due to this and would choose the meds if I had a do over. When I got home I used oxy at night and for first post op visit as he said he might be pulling the rest of the drains. I would rate 5 at worst. I used one extra strength Tylenol intermittently otherwise. I was able to totally stop everything Day 6. Pain came and went but was not constant. It was more a sharp stab that resolved quickly or a tightness or pulling which was okay. Honestly my hysterectomy was much more painful for a lot longer time.

Updated pictures post op day 28.

Just a brief update.Went to surgeon today.He was pleased with healing around pelvis. Said the separation of the one suture line was nothing to worry about.I had areas at the inside of knees that were very swollen and hard to touch. He said they were seromas and needed to be drained. He the proceeded to take a ginormous needle and aspirated both. Not what I was expecting. He said to keep compression going and hopefully he won't have to drain again. Well I was due for a bump in the road. 😬

Thanks so much! I have a lot of arthritis and walking is the best exercise for me. Back and knees protest when I try something new. That being said, if I knew how to swim, I would as that is the absolute best exercise for your whole body.

I was not given the option of anything but RNY bypass. I don't know the surgeon's rationale for recommending that particular procedure.

I had a lap band placed in April 2011but due to issues with it had I'd removed in April 2014 and at the same time the surgeon converted me to a gastric bypass. It was the answer for me. I have essentially no medical problems since the bypass. I too had my sugar creeping up and up. Diabetes runs in my family and I grew up with Uncles with multiple amputations. That by itself was a strong motivator. Almost immediately after surgery my sugar was down and it's been normal now for almost three years. Researchers don't exactly know the details but this often happens after bypass. Converting from band to bypass was truly a lifesaver. Good luck in your journey.

I feel pretty good. Still slow going but each day I am able to do more.

Thank you for your encouragement! It does help tremendously!

Post op day 18 pictures

It really does depend on your insurance as to whether it will be covered. Mine needed documentation of rashes and the over hang had to be so long. I did not qualify due to these criteria. I will agree that the skin will not go away without surgery. It depends on how much it bothers you. My thighs were the worst for me, with my belly being a close second. I knew I could always wear spanks to smooth out the areas but I wanted to feel better about myself. It is a very expensive decision but I am at a point in my life where I could swing it. None of the cost was covered. There are companies that offer loans for medical procedures at low interest or in my case a credit card with no interest for the first year. The recovery is painful and in my profession, I lift constantly throughout the day and I will not be able to do that for eight weeks after surgery. I would encourage you to start saving now. It can be a surprise how fast you can save a bit at a time. Good luck!

Thanks for the encouragement! I will try to post more pictures today. Regarding advice, I had a failure with the lap band and was very discouraged. I was getting sick on the foods you need to eat to lose weight like dense protein. After three years of misery, I asked to have it removed. I was heavier than I was before I had the band. I also had a cap on my insurance for any bariatric procedure and if the surgeon did not feel it would be safe to convert from band to bypass, I was not going to be able to afford to self pay for a long time. It turned out she was able to convert after removal. I was not like a lot of folks that lost a great deal right away. My loss was gradual and I was committed to following the dietary guidelines. I did not drink anything with carbonation, ate my protein first in a meal, strived for sixty to eighty grams of protein and kept drinking throughout the day. I walk for exercise. A lot. Ended up with a rescue dog who needed a lot of activity or he could get destructive. So we went on two to three mile walks at least daily. I think he rescued me not the other way around. There is no one way that works for everyone. The bypass is a tool and if used properly will help with the weight loss but it is only a tool. Don't let the frustration get in the way of your goals. This site has been a great support system for me and a way to encourage when I hit a bump. And there will be bumps.

I also had the lap band for three years and had problems from the onset. I had a conversion to a gastric bypass three years ago and it was the best decision for me. My surgeon was able to remove and convert in the same procedure. I wish you much luck.