Hey all! I'm a year out, and almost at goal. I've got about that much skin left, and its a mess/preventing me from working out & really hurting my back & hips to carry it around so I'm in for a consult with the bariatric plastic guy in a few weeks. Truth is, I'm scared to death that it will be so painful and I'll be laid up forever. I'm usually not a huge baby, but for some reason...can anyone tell me I'm crazy or correct?

Well, I haven;'t had plastics yet and share some of the same fears. I started out over 300# and am at goal now. I personally would use compression garments to hold the skin in and wait and have a tummy tuck (ie that is more then skin removal) when at or near goal.

I think it helps to join online forums focused on plastic surgery to become more educated as to what to expect.

I actually plan to have a lower body lift, boobs fixed, arms and thighs - but not all at once.

Oh yeah...I haven't left the house without Spanx on since right after surgery. I'm sure that it's helped a LOT in terms of the overall loose skin problem. I have a friend who had an RNY and refused to wear any sort of compression and she has MUCH worse of a problem than I do, and we had about the same to lose, I think. I'm near goal at the moment and my doctor said to go ahead ,so I'm going to see what the surgeon says...but I'm just being a pain baby at the moment...

Cowgirl - do you mind sharing the ps forums you are on? I find forums very helpful in the educational process. thanks!