Okay Ladies - Let's talk skin!

[KatInFL 216]

My stats are a little off from yours but not drastically so. I'm just shy of 5'7", started at 252, and am almost a year post-op and weigh 155. I haven't tried a bunch of fancy creams or wraps or anything, as I generally think it's a waste of money for me.

I knew going in I'd likely be looking at plastics and time has only proven that to be true.

I'm just now starting to look at plastics and surgeons and consults, knowing I'm 6 months to a year away from actually having it done. My worst skin issues are my breasts and my stomach. I had a c-section and had the "flap" from that but weight loss has made it more pronounced. My poor boobs....they were once full and large but now look deflated and saggy. I'm still in the early researching part of determining what I'll actually want...but right now, I think it will be a breast lift with (maybe) augmentation and a Tummy Tuck. I'm hoping to avoid Lipo as I have nice definition of shape just lots of skin but I'm open to what the doctor suggest for the best results.

I could absolutely live without surgery for skin removal and breast issues...but I'd rather not.

Hi everyone! I'm not new to posting, but this is the first topic I've started, so please be nice!

I am planning on getting sleeved in May, and other than the usual worries about the surgery itself, how much will I lose, etc. my #1 concern is the extra skin. I am scared enough to have surgery once, I don't want to have to go back under for a second time to have all the skin removed as well. My mom had gastric bypass a few years ago, so she's really the only person I know who's lost this kind of weight, and she does have a "flap". But she was also in her 60's when she had the surgery/lost the weight, and she lost well over 100 pounds.

Here are my stats: I am 34, currently weigh about 230, and have a conservative goal weight of 160, with a dream goal of 135 (I haven't weighed less than 150 since the fifth grade, so that would be an extremely dreamy dream goal for me). Oh, and I'm 5'3" and a pretty good exerciser.

So my question is specifically for ladies under 40, who have lost 100 pounds or less, and are at or near their goal. How well is your skin bouncing back? Did you do anything to help it, like weight lifting, or using special moisturizers? Where is it the worst, and have any of you had, or are considering having the "flap" removed?

Thanks in advance for any help/reassurance you can give me. I know I am going to go through with this surgery, but I want to know if I need to psych myself up for another one in the near future.

[JessicaE 7]

I just turned 34 and have been worried about skin too. I'm 5'8, starting weight was 286, current weight is 254 (3 weeks out as of today). The one thing I have going for me is I was fat everywhere. I am sure I will have loose skin but pros still outweigh the cons!

[livvsmum 2,370]

Thank you! :-)

Ok, here are my stats. I just turned 35, have lost 96 pounds as of today and have about 30 more pounds to go. I'm almost 6 months post op. I've attached a pic that I took after a work out just this past weekend. Just looking at me, I don't think anyone would thing, "oh wow".... she needs skin removal, but for ME, I think that I will probably need my "bat wings" worked on underside of my arms - and definitely the lower part of my stomach. That one is covered by my insurance. I'm still working and hoping the work outs might take care of the arms, but there is no amount of working out in my opinion that is going to take care of all that extra hangy skin on the lower half of my stomach. We will see I guess. Oh yes, and I've also had 4 kiddos so that may affect the bounce-back-potential of my stomach

You look great

[butterfyeffect 257]

"...I have had 3 friends that had plastics and each one of them told me it does not hurt. Is that what you are worried about pain??? Your sleeve or whatever your having surgery will be 100xs more painful. I promise...."

It's not the pain I'm worried about. I'm an RN, so I know all of the things that can happen to you during and after surgery... blood clots, infection, pneumonia, etc. I would rather not risk a second surgery if I don't have to.

But thanks to everyone for your posts. It's helped a lot to hear from ladies with similar stats to mine. I'm already moisturizing like crazy, so I guess I'll just keep at it after surgery as well, and keep up on my Water too!

[Bkind2u 48]

Hi everyone! I have gained and lost 75 to 100 pounds many times in the past, finally was sleeved 9/11/13. I'm 57 now, but when I was in my early 30s I lost 75 lbs and did not have any loose skin except for maybe thighs as I'm a pear shape. I did work out but nothing else drastic. I again gained and lost this time 100 lbs at age 40. This time my thighs definitely were a little soggier, but tummy flat and got belly button pierced to Celebrate. I was the same size as my best friend - 5'5", size 6, 140 lbs worked out 4 days week. When we stood side by side I looked like a slightly melted version of her in the areas I had been heaviest which for me was legs and thighs. My arms and tummy were perfect. I was happy with my appearance. I am now 57 and have lost 80 lbs so far, down from 265. I have skin sagging on my arms, tummy, and legs. This time things haven't bounced back like in the past. I think my weight change is not THAT much more drastic, but the difference in sagging is due to age. Even now I mainly sag in areas that I was heaviest, and less so in other areas. Think of your skin like material that loses its elasticity. The areas that were stretched out the most are the ones that might not bounce back as well. Overall, I think your age is very much in your favor, and that you may have slightly sagger skin in the areas you were heaviest. Whether this bothers you or not depends on how often you plan to wear swim suits or other body baring clothes, and by how much of a perfectionist you are. Good luck and hope this helps! By the way, I am SOOOOO having plastics when I get to goal.

[Gina1010 86]

Blood clots, pneumonia infection all are good reasons to no want another surgery. The good thing is you are younger so you may not need plastics. Good luck with your journey

[ChristyC90 22]

Im 23 right now, I have lost 77lbs so far, 23 away from my goal, I work out 5 times a week, my arms are just a little bit flappy, but im startjng to see a difference as I tone up, I have had the pouch since having my daughter, its a lot smaller, it hangs a tiny bit but ive really been working on my stomach so its gottwn better, as far as boobs theyve gotten smaller but no difference

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[butterfyeffect 257]

"Im 23 right now, I have lost 77lbs so far, 23 away from my goal, I work out 5 times a week, my arms are just a little bit flappy, but im startjng to see a difference as I tone up, I have had the pouch since having my daughter, its a lot smaller, it hangs a tiny bit but ive really been working on my stomach so its gottwn better, as far as boobs theyve gotten smaller but no difference"

You look great!!

[ChristyC90 22]

Thank you!

[GemmaLicious 25]

Hello,

I have the same concers as you and have asked my medical staff questions around the skin issue. I was told that we are all different and there is not a way of knowing how bad or good your skin will be until it happens. I was told as I am 30 years old that my age is in my favour but doesn't mean my skin wont be left saggy.

My dads friend had a gastric bypass around a year ago and he is in his late 50's and has no baggy skin or flap and he was informed that the more olive skin you have the more likely your skin will bounce back, I'm guessing as the skin is naturally more oily.

I've decided to go ahead with surgery and dealing with any skin issues further down the line but, I do feel the same and would rather not have to have further surgery. I am however putting on body oil every time I have a shower or bath. I either put baby oil on or Clarins tonic oil and rinse of with cooler Water to close the pores to get the most moisture out of the products. I should think the sooner you start moisturising your skin with oils or even creams the better. Toning exercises should also help

I wouldn't worry about it until it or if it happens, and there is always body shaping underwear which I am sure I will end up wearing.

Hi everyone! I'm not new to posting, but this is the first topic I've started, so please be nice!

I am planning on getting sleeved in May, and other than the usual worries about the surgery itself, how much will I lose, etc. my #1 concern is the extra skin. I am scared enough to have surgery once, I don't want to have to go back under for a second time to have all the skin removed as well. My mom had gastric bypass a few years ago, so she's really the only person I know who's lost this kind of weight, and she does have a "flap". But she was also in her 60's when she had the surgery/lost the weight, and she lost well over 100 pounds.

Here are my stats: I am 34, currently weigh about 230, and have a conservative goal weight of 160, with a dream goal of 135 (I haven't weighed less than 150 since the fifth grade, so that would be an extremely dreamy dream goal for me). Oh, and I'm 5'3" and a pretty good exerciser.

So my question is specifically for ladies under 40, who have lost 100 pounds or less, and are at or near their goal. How well is your skin bouncing back? Did you do anything to help it, like weight lifting, or using special moisturizers? Where is it the worst, and have any of you had, or are considering having the "flap" removed?

Thanks in advance for any help/reassurance you can give me. I know I am going to go through with this surgery, but I want to know if I need to psych myself up for another one in the near future.

[I will what I want 271]

<p>My advise to you is to work on your "flabby" areas as much as possible now and try to start building muscle there now before you start to lose the weight. Once you start the weight loss, keep up the Protein to retain the muscle and lose the fat. You don't have a lot to lose so I'm guessing you probably won't have a lot of excess skin. </p>

Love this idea - work on those areas before weight loss. It seems like common sense until I really think about it - why would that help? Do you know why it would make a Difference in extra

Skin?

[marfar7 1,533]

Saggy skin has nothing to dow ith exercise. Has everything to do with genes, age, and luck. No amt of crunches will help saggy belly skin.

I've lost exactly 100 lbs, am 46, and I guess I was lucky and/or have good genes. Have minimal amt of saggy skin. Its there but its not too bothersome. Defintely. Ot worth the thousands of $$s to fix it. I just recntly noticed saggy skin on my twiggy legs. Never noticed it before. Might have something to do with the fact that I'm almost 50. Looks like Jello when I walk. I think its ugly but hubby doesn't mind

Good luck to u. Nuthin much u can do about saggy skin cept hope and wait.

[NothingUpMySleeve 244]

I'm 5'3" too and in my 30's. My arms are a tiny bit loose, but not to the point it'd be worth fixing. The skin seems to lag behind fat loss a bit. My tummy doesn't hang down, but the skin looks crumple and grosser as I lose. I will plan getting a Tummy Tuck, but everything else is ok.

I don't think there's much you can do to control it one way or another, kind of like hair loss.