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Hi there! I had no idea it was even a thing, but the other night I was watching that WLS show on TLC and they said that was what they were doing with the one woman's skin! It blew my mind!

I'm not trying to be rude but I have heard that is an urban legend. They say that the skin we would donate is too stretched out to work properly. I wish it were true.

I am so grateful for this surgery and how it has changed my life! Can't wait for more - for the skin to shrink back more - to be able to be more aggressive in my training too. Loving this lifestyle change!

I'm not your age, but the thing you have on your side is your youth. Losing a large amount while you're still young means your skin likely will rebound much, much better than in your 30s or 40s. If you lose weight slower, and make sure to exercise and keep hydrated and hit your Protein goals, you should be okay, and once you hit goal weight, your skin will continue to improve; most plastic surgeons won't even evaluate you until you've been a stable weight for one year because they know skin continues to tighten and adjust during that time. You may be lucky and not have any issues after a few years. But anything that doesn't tighten up can be fixed eventually if it is really bugging you. The big thing is that a little loose skin is nothing compared to how great you'll feel losing all that weight.

Friday, April 26, 2013 I'm down 30-1/2 lbs at 5-1/2 weeks post-op. I bought size medium tops this week (from an XL originall). And I was wearing 14/16 pants, now I have on 12 skinny jeans. Pretty pumped. Not going to buy a lot of new clothes but it makes me feel better So, my husband found out something today from the nurse at his 3 week checkup that I hadn't thought about asking. He's been doing great, but having a burning sensation sometimes at the large incision. They said this is normal - in a week or so he will hear a "pop" and that will be the incision breaking away from the muscle. That's what all the tightness has been about - they sew your stomach muscle, stomach and skin (that's why it puckers) together so the stomach doesn't move around a lot. Good to know Posted a picture of me today. Compare it to the picture of me and my husband - big difference. Monday, April 15, 2013 Well, my husband is almost a week post-op and doing really well. He's down 27 lbs. (but that includes his 13 before surgery). I'm down 28 lbs.(I lost 11 pre-surgery but gained it all back post-surgery from the liquids, fluids). I will be 4 weeks post-op tomorrow. I feel better than I have in a lot of years. My husband and I walked around the block 3 times yesterday. We even went to dinner and to a movie last night. Neither of us are snoring anymore (woo hoo!) Thursday, April 11, 2013 (My birthday) My husband had his sleeve done on Tuesday. He is doing amazing! He didn't throw up like I did so he's way ahead of me already. It's easier sleeping on the recliner for the first week. I got up this morning and he was up, had let the dog out, already took a shot of Genesis Today Liquid Protein 100 for 15gms of protein in a 1 oz. shot. Already started heating up his broth and ready to take a shower. He thinks he's going to work today (day 2 after surgery). I told him to take it easy but you never know with him. I went for my 3 week checkup on Tuesday (day of husband's surgery) and I'm down 26 lbs now (it was 25 that day). Having the most horrible breath since surgery - said it was ketosis and will get better when I start eating food. If you live in the DFW area I would highly recommend Dr. Nick Nicholson and Forest Park Medical Center. Both are first rate. I had only a regular room to myself but my husband had a suite. It was huge. Even had a room that had a couch that made into a bed, with a TV and sink in it. He had a full restroom with a shower. His room had a recliner and 3 other chairs and a flat screen TV. The nurses, techs, etc. were so nice and helpful. Starting week 4, I've been cleaning the house, sweeping and even picking up with dust pan. I bought an abdominal wrap and it has helped tremendously.

Lisa did u have hanging skin? And if so what exercise can u tell us to get those arms and legs right...

I would suggest using Surgi-Cream. It's not a permanent fix but it works great. My sister has very fair, sensitive skin and even she can use it. It's my best friend... :thumbdown:

You are officially my hero. We're starting at about the same weight & height. I am amazed at the weight loss you gave experienced in only one year!!! I was sitting today thinking about how much I could realistically expect in a year, and realized I had 130# to loose. Thanks for sharing! I'm inspired!

Just wanted to say that I bet you notice those flabby bits more than anyone else. I have a friend that i know had lap band 10 years ago, long before I met her. She lost 200lbs. She does have the saggy skin/bat wings on her arms and thighs, but I only noticed because I knew she had the surgery. I have discussed with others that she had lap band (it's not a secret, she doesn't care if people know) and everyone single one has been shocked. They NEVER NOTICED any of the saggy skin and thought she was naturally thin. Even my husband, who is very observant, hadn't noticed. So really, try to remember that although you know it's there no one else is paying attention or bothered by it.

I was going to chime in and say exactly what @@AvaFern said. I've had a LOT of plastics, and I do look way better than I did, but obesity and age have taken their toll. Having said that, most of the population are not VS models, or any other kind of model. That's why they get paid the big bucks - it's rare. We have such an airbrushed society that even smart, educated, and reasonable people like me sometimes forget that most of us have a different version of beautiful bodies. We all have flaws. Once in a while I start thinking I need to fix this or that, and then I remember I am so thrilled to be a normal size and have the worst of the dripping skin removed! I tell myself to just get over myself and be thankful for what really matters....and a perfect body is not really it...just the fact that it's as good as it is, is a miracle!

Hey y'all! I'm starting my sleeve journey hopefully by the end of next month (June 2016). I've been overweight the majority of my life and am finally ready to be comfortable in my skin again. I'll be a self pay so everything is moving very quickly for me. I had my initial consult Wednesday, May 25th. During the consultation I learned the differences between the band, the sleeve, and the bypass and opted for the sleeve. I felt the sleeve would be the safest bet for me. I have a blood clotting disorder (Factor 5 Leiden) and had to schedule an appointment with a hematologist to get the all clear for surgery. That appointment is scheduled for June 7th along with my nutrition class. The nutrition class will cover the post op diet along with do's and don't's. Once I get the all clear from the hematologist, it should be smooth sailing. I was told I would be scheduled within one to two weeks after my hematologist appointment. I'm currently at 223 and my goal weight is 140. I'm so ready for this journey! I'll be updating my journal along the way. If you'll be having your surgery near the end of June please let me know so we can support each other! Just for fun, a friend of mine who is a photographer will be doing a before photo shoot in a week and an after photo shoot a year from now. I have also been stocking up on the cutest drinkware I can find in the hopes that if I can make the liquid diet fun it might be easier. I want to make it all as positive as I can. I apologize if I rambled, but I want to be able to look back and remember all the details. I'll be sure to post throughout my procedure and will check in with progress along the way. Much love from Alabama! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

lol.. boy.. i think you need a clone machine. lol. i think you are doing a marvellous job. Way to go. REgarding the steri strips and your skin reaction... i had that as well. in fact i came up in watery blisters that were huge. plus a very red inflamed area around each one. It took a few weeks for the reaction to die down. i was using calamine lotion on mine and it helped a lot with the itch. theres not a lot else you can do really. dont try and remove any blisters or skin. antihistimines are good... plus a lotion like i used is very good. i still get a bit itchy, 2 months out, but i can have a little scratch now and its not hurting anything. Good luck. i hope your mum is better soon. my mum is pretty much full on at the moment as well.

Some fruit skins like peaches, apples and sometimes grapes. I chew the pulp out and spit out the skins when they're too thick. Doughy breads can cause problems too.

Take only cell phone &charger, loose clothing for ride home toothbrush/paste , glasses if you wear them I didn't take my contacts. Magazine or book if you like to read the hospital puts 2gowns on you so no robe needed . When I got home I used ice packs across stomach even when sleeping plus pain meds they issue, dont even try doing/lifting anything til dr gives go ahead it could set u out back.

Have you talked to your doctor about having the band removed? I'm worried about health issues and am considering removing the band after I loose 25 - 30 pounds.

Hey, congrats, buxndux! You're bloated because, at the time of surgery, they fill your belly with gas so it lifts up like a circus tent and they can move around in there without the skin and fat squashing down on them. It'll take a day or two for that to ease up, and you might get the occasional twinge, most commonly in your left shoulder or back. Just keep walking! It'll ease the gas pain, and help with everything else.

Good luck with your surgery. You will probably be at goal in no time after surgery. I will definately give her a huge hug from you! I hope all of it doesn't fall out either. I look at her sometimes and she just doesn't look like my baby. Her hair,nails,weight and skin is so different from the chemo. Gurlie she hates when I hug and kiss her especially in public. Why are kids like that? Were we like that? It hurts my feelings but you know kids. I wish I could just put her in my arms and walk around with her like that all day. Seeing that she is 5ft1 and I'm 5ft2 that might be impossible. LOL! Plus she's my only child. It's amazing how strong she is! GOD will see her through. Everytime I look into the clouds I see the creator smiling on us!

Hi there wondering if anyone could please give me some info!! Here's my situation!! Since having my band my body reacts different too sugar. If I eat sugar it's like my body goes in shock and won't loose any weight. But if I avoid everything with sugar on a daily bases like for two weeks I can sometimes loose up too 4/5 kgs in like 14 days. Meaning I loose a couple grams of weight daily. If I eat any type of sugar I don't put any weight on but just won't loose those couple grams daily. It's hard coz I try be strong and I'm only like 10kgs too my goal weight but it's taking it's time. What could I do or tests or foods too eat that give me that sugar hit but are not real sugar?? It's hard too live everyday without sugar!! Pls help

I've now had 4 fills, and am at 7.4cc in a 10cc band. I think I've finally hit my sweet spot, too. However, even though I don't feel hungry, I make sure I get three MEALS a day. I do this because I don't want to end up looking sickly or losing my hair. Skinny but bald ain't pretty, people! Remember, eat PROTEIN first, then veggies, and if you still have room, carbs. I know from past dieting experiences that loosing your hair due to low protein intake is a very real thing! The good news is that it is easily reversible once you adjust your diet for the proper nutrients.

I've gone from 350 to 275 and am thrilled with my body even as it is now. I've always been obese so I have no concept of what it would be like to weigh what is considered "normal". Since I'm in my mid-50's I don't want to have to have more surgery to remove excess skin so my plan is to just get to a place where I'm healthy; I'll still be overweight by some standards but as long as I'm happy and healthy I don't care what anyone else thinks.

I am 55 and don't care to bare my skin or other body parts like I did when I was younger. I really don't care about what is in or out of style either. It is all about comfort for me. I am a casual (not sloppy) dresser and suppose that I always will be. Tee shirts, tennis shoes and blue jeans are what I prefer to wear.

I know i haven't been banded for very long but what has keep me losing weight is my little Black book. It is a litte book i ordered that is a food jounal. I know some people say that they don't want to diet and that they don't keep track of calorie and that works for them but i know my self better then anyone and if i didn't write it down them i would cheat and not loose weight and if 5 mins a day puting things down on paper is going to keep me skinny then so be it.

They recommended tossing out all my large clothing but a single pair of jeans and a shirt for this reason. The problem: - I *like* large, baggy clothing. Even when I was a kid and in shape, I never liked the skin-tight look. I'll do it for a suit, but everyday wear: gimme a tunic and trous and I feel comfortable. - It took me a long time to find materials and patterns I liked. I'll keep these until I maybe find something that is closer to my eventual size. Eventually. I will have to trade/tailor my utilikilt, though. I got it last summer, so at this point I'm not convinced it'll stay on my body. Thankfully, they're not far from where I live, and around the corner is a great mystery bookstore.

Hello everyone, I'm sitting here thinking about how excited I was to be doing this at first I coukdn't wait! i wanted it it to be sooner. I actually finished everything within a month. My husband is behind me 100% & I'm very grateful for that. But now I'm starting to have second thoughts. I'm thinking about the loose skin.. Will my marriage last? Will my husband still be attracted to me if I have the loose skin?.. Will I EVER be happy with myself? I told my husband I'm not doing this for anyone, I'm doing this for myself.. But again will I B happy with my decision???

I had stalls at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks was my biggest stall I didn't loose weight for about 6 weeks after that but when I did finally loose it was like bam and I've went from 188 to 168 in just a week