I have a family member who had gastric bypass and she had a ton of excess skin on her arms, belly and legs. She had tummy tuck but not her arms or legs done. Insurance would not pay for it and this was some 15 years ago. I know I will lose slower however, I am very big and been so my entire life. Can any of you tell me if my skin, I know there Will be some; will be as bad as hers? Also is there any thing I can do to try and help it firm up as I lose the weight?

Thanks:wink2:

Make sure you drink plenty of water and do some firming exercises on the parts you don't want hanging skin. Unfortunatley you can't always avoid loose skin and it's a much better alternative to fat. :thumbdown:

It's hard to predict who will have the most problems with excess skin. It depends on age, genetics, the amount of weight lost, how many times you've lost and regained weight, and how long you were overweight---among other things. It depends very little on rate of loss or what you apply to the skin as you lose.

It's probably realistic to expect that you will have excess skin. I know that sucks. But think of the alternative: excess skin v. skin filled with fat---well, clearly, you'll be in a better place!

You're right, plastic surgery often does not cover removal of excess skin, particularly in areas for which there are few documented medical issues related to the skin (such as the arms). But that doesn't mean you can't have the surgery. You can---you simply have to save for it and pay for it.

In the meantime, there are lots of really good compression garments that make it impossible for others to tell you have the skin. Naked may not be as pretty as you'd like, but you can still look like the resounding success you will be while clothed.

I'm pretty resigned to either (a) looking like a shar-pei when done, or (:thumbdown: having reconstructive surgery. It's expensive, but no more so than a mid-level American car---I certainly am worth at least that much!

Most plastic surgeons offer financing--either themselves or through finance companies. Many will negotiate lower prices for cash payment, as well.

It used to be that doctors would recommend maintaining at goal weight for 12-18 months. Now they recommend being at a stable weight for just a handful of months. Time doesn't really do much for excess skin. But getting down to a low BMI does. Sometimes, what people think of as "excess skin" still carries with it a fair amount of excess fat.

I don't know if you've spent much time looking at plastic surgeons' before and after photos, but the befores often involve people who stopped losing while they still had considerable fat beneath the skin. The extent of surgery can really be minimized by getting all the way to goal---and choosing a goal that is lower than the "I'll be happy if you get to a normal BMI" that so many of our doctors promote.

If you look at pictures of people who have done that--really gotten down to a low BMI (rather than just hitting the top of the "normal" range), you'll see that, while they do have excess skin, it's not nearly as extensive as those who have not. (And when there's less work to be done, the cost can be contained; you may decide that some procedures can be skipped, and it will be far easier to do the ones you deem necessary.)

Would like more info about "compression" garments. What, exactly are they and where can they be purchased? I am within 15 lbs of goal and have a pot belly that I would like to either get rid of, or at least disguise!