I have to loose about 100lbs all together. 80 or so left. So I see some people here say they didn't need plastic surgery, that they just exercised. So some questions for everyone.

1. Skins elasticity decreases with age, do you think that causes the skin to not bounce back as quickly?

2. Do you think that there is a way to avoid going under the knife?

3. Do you believe that if you loose too fast the skin has a harder time going back to normal?

4. Has anyone had to loose a 100lbs and not have to have surgery?

I don't know if I would want surgery, with a little one, the recovery time being a bit, I don't know. How badly do I need to have that skin gone? Won't the perfect body become my obsession rather than my health?

I am just curious how other people view this.

I got the lap band for my health 1st, then second, yes, we all want to fit into smaller and cuter clothes. If we denied that we would be lying to ourselves and others, that is a perk to loosing the weight. I LOVED my breasts but even as a teen I was a C cup and hoping to hold that but that, honestly would be the first thing I would probably want fixed. Again though, vanity and I can NOT afford vanity. LOL

I guess if I was single I would view it as a neccessity. In some moments I am like, "man I need to win the lotto," but then I just feel vain. Like, I shouldn't even consider such an option. Just wondering what people think and experiences.

I don't believe everybody that loses a significant amount of weight needs surgery. I weighed 300 lbs at my heaviest and now weigh 146.5 lbs. Do I have loose skin? Yes. Is it attractive? No. But that being said, I can hide my flaws in the right clothes. I won't be wearing leggings without a long sweater anytime in the future, but all in all I'm happy with the results. I'm not willing to go under the knife and risk my life (however small the risk is) to cut skin away that I can live with. Just my own personal opinion. I spent enough on surgery that I would feel pretty horrible if I spent tons more on plastic surgery.

I think your best bet is to exercise and tone up while you lose. Don't wait until you've lost the weight to do so. Even walking will help you! Strength machines are great for your arms, shoulders and abdomen. You can also find some that work your thighs, buttocks, and hip areas. I really feel it has helped me lessen the impact of all the weight loss on my skin. It has also gave me some definition in my arms that I never had and I can't really say I hit it too hard when it comes to how often I do it. In the winter, maybe 2-3 times per week on the strength machines for 20-30 minutes.

I do think age and heredity have a significant impact on whether or not you have loose skin. Also how many times your weight has fluctuated wildly can have an impact (think of a rubber band and how is loses elasticity after awhile).

Not sure about how fast you lose has anything to do with it, other than if you are exercising at the same time, I think you could tell a world of difference.

Will I ever wear shorts again? No. But I'm able to wear sleeveless shirts and look pretty good, and crop pants look nice and are pretty cool in the summer, so I'll manage. I guess I look at my flaws as reminders of where I was and how far I've come. They are my "tats".

I had surgery to remove my excess skin after an 80lb weight loss. Why? Coz I couldn't live with it. Some can and some can't. No one will force you to have plastic surgery. it's a very personal choice.

There's a member here - Jachut - she's older than me (not by much though) and her skin bounced back much better than mine ever did. I had an 'overhang' after my 2nd child that never went away, and I had him at 22. I exercised, I toned, I did all that. My skin was shot in my stomach area completely. It was never going to bounce back. But my thighs and arms did, so I didn't get surgery on those areas.

I recently had breast augmentation. Again, it's something I wanted. Simple as that. I lived with empty sacks for 18 months after I got to goal, then decided I didn't want empty sacks anymore. Was it more about vanity than health? Oh hell yeah. But if you get to goal and don't want anything else but having got to goal, why, that's an excellent outcome no matter how you look at it!

I bounced back pretty well but I do have loose skin. Do I need surgery? Really ..... no. But that depends a lot on how you feel about showing yourself off. I'm happy enough to put on a bikini but my stomach IS a bit loose. I would never ever ever go topless on a beach, my boobs are hideous. But no, i dont have anywhere than hangs or causes problems.

But I just dont really care. I am dressed 99.9% of the time and dressed I look great. I can hide my flaws very easily, much more easily than I could ever hide my rolls of fat! I dont need to be perfect, I dont care about being perfect.

To the next person, if they were me, they might think they needed surgery.

I dont believe there's a single thing you can do to prevent it. It's completely down to luck and genetics.

Have I told you all that I love you! LOL I love that I can ask this question and get sooo many variant on answers. Honestly, if I had the extra money, I don't know that much would stop me. I try to live a life free of vanity, envy and greed, but sometimes, you just want to look as good naked as you do clothed. LOL

I am going to get it all done. I was a self pay and NO I dont have $$$$$$$. I have saved and saved. I already have a Dr. picked out. He does not know it yet LOL. I still have 100 lbs to loose. But I think about it all the time. In the mean time I will work out take my Zumba classes, and stay on the program. I am sure when my times comes IE meet my goal, it will help to be storng as well as healthy. Just thinking about not having to put on the freeeekin one piece they make for BIG women make my want it evan more.

3/11/10

Everyone has a different opinion on this topic, as you can see. As for myself. I go next month for a consult to have a tummy tuck. I have lost 109 pounds and have plenty of excess skin left to show. I am 99% wanting the tummy tuck done for vanity reasons. I am married but still want to look good for my husband, although he says he thinks I look good the way I am. I am very self concious about my loose skin and want to have something done about it.

Going into have the lapband placed, I didn't have any health conditions. My blood pressure was wonderful, heart was fine, not even border line diabetic. Only thing wrong with me was heartburn and my back. I wanted the band because I wanted to be able to look myself in a mirror and not want to look away because I was so unhappy with what I saw staring back at me. I also wanted it done because I knew if I didn't do something then, it may end up being to late later on in life and my children would have to suffer for it.

So I say, if you want any kind of plastic surgery done, do it. If you don't, don't do it. It's really that simple. People will support your decision whether you do it or not if they love you.