I'm 30 years old and have been overweight for about 15 years. My weight got really bad around my early 20's. I started this journey at 326 (my highest) and currently weight 255. I have not noticed any excess skin yet, but I have about 100 more pounds to reach goal. Are my chances of having a lot of excess skin likely? I do exercise and am loosing slowly (1.25 pounds/week), but I'm sure, since I was overweight for so long, that I will have excess skin in my stomach, butt, and thigh area.

For those of you who have had surgery to remove excess skin, how much weight did you lose and how long had you been overweight.

I will definitely have the surgery one way or another once I reach goal. For me, it will be a reward for all my hard work. If I reach goal, I want to look and feel good on the outside also.

After being on these boards for so long, I can tell you that there are people who need surgery and those who don't. I think it mainly matters on age, stretch marks, and how much weight you carry where. I have read some people who lost a lot did not require any surgery, and some who lost less did require surgery.

I did see someone's Dr told them to moisturize regularly so the skin stays hydrated, hoping that will help with the skin shrinking.

each person is diffeent

My PCP and consult with the surgeon told me the same thing as Stephyaners has said... it depends on the person, but the most important thing is to stay moisturized!

I was told to use a body scrub on my "fat areas" (where ISN'T fat, I asked) once a week, and use an intensive moisturizer every day after I dry off from a shower. (They suggested Aquafor, Aveeno or Jergans - though I'm sure any 'good' moisturizer would be okay.)

Age 43, starting weight 223 5'2"...... current weight 139.

I just had my Tummy tuck 4 weeks ago today. My PS said ideally his patients are with in a few pounds from a Normal BMI... which i was and has had a steady weight for at least 6 months.... which i did.

I went in at a bmi of 25-26 and had been at 144-145 for six months. I'm so extremely happy with my results so far. I'm still swollen, but it is so much better than i ever expected.

Pain was about like my 2 c-section and only took pain meds for the first few day... mostly to sleep at night... which i did in my recliner for the first few. I was back at work at my desk in 12 days. Cost was $8800, which i put on a 0% interest Chase for 15 months Slate card. Monthly payment..... $80 per month... but i'm paying $200 to get it paid off. If for some reason i can't pay it off in 15 i'm going to do a balance transfer to another 0% card... hopefully if it works out the way i "plan" it .... i will have paid no interest or finance charges.

I did post some pic, but only for friends... so if you want to see them.... friend me