I am planning to get the lap band, I start my "getting healthy for life"class 3/19. Meet w/ MD 4/12. I do have a question on what about after you lose the weight. Does everyone have a lot of extra skin. I have like 140lbs to lose, so will I just "tons " of extra skin no matter what I do. I know it helps that I am only 24, so my skin will do a little of the work on its own, and with working out it can help. So I guess my quesion is - Will I have lots extra skin not matter what or does working out really make a big difference? I really don't want to get surgery to have to remove lots skin/ or just life with it and be happy when I get that healthy???:eek::embarassed::cry

There's no doubt you will have at least some extra skin, but at your age your skin should have more elasticity than it will even in ten years. Unfortunately there is no way to tell you what you are going to look like after your extra weight is gone. Exercise is the key in keeping the underlying muscle as tight as possible, toning, toning, toning, mixed with good cardio (at least that's what I've read). Though there is really no magic thing that tightens skin itself back up. Good luck!

I dont think that you can prevent it with exercise, skin is skin, muscle is muscle. At the very most being toned underneath will help you look your best, but if you are genetically given to skin that's not going to bounce back you could exercise 9 hours a day and it will still happen.

Best thing in your favour, you are young. So even if you're looking at extra skin on your tummy, but hopefully your arms and thighs will bounce right back.

There's not really anything you can rub on it or drink or eat either.

Where do you carry your weight? I think people tend to suffer more badly if they have developed very big stomachs.

But you CAN do something about it when you've finished, even though nobody really wants extra surgery, it may be for you when you get there, and the results are incredible judging by what we've seen on here.

First things first, get rid of the weight. There's every possibility you'll be really pleasantly suprised by the results.

Yeah, I know just getting the weight off will be wonderful. My weight is all over not just one area, I guess I will just have to wait and see what I think at that point. It really does seem like a guessing game what you will look like without the weight. I have never been thin, so I even have a slight idea. But I guess that just have to be a bonus surprise. I sure exercise will only make my feel better, even if I don't lose the skin. Thanks for everyone's input, always welcome to hear your ideas. This site in great, I am so happy I found it. I haven't read any judging comment just positive feedback.

Angel

Your age is the best thing that you have going for you - and if you carry your weight evenly - you might be one of the lucky ones. The exercise will make you feel great and help give you some shape - but it probably won't have much to do with your skin shrinking.

Drink lots of Water, and exercise anyway. It can't hurt. :]

Glad you are enjoying the site. I love it here. You will probably see some judgemental comments at some point. The trick is to just ignore them and move on to the positive and supportive ones.

Hugs!

I've lost 76 lbs including my preop diet and I'll definitely need a tummy tuck and some lipo when I am done. I am looking forward to it.