I am pre-surgical right now. More than likely getting cleared on my last speed bump, psychology, TOMORROW! I am excited to move on in the process, and I am wondering if anyone has the answers to the following questions. I know you can't smoke, or shouldn't smoke following surgery, and I am not a cigarette smoker, but I DO love an occasional cigar. Does anyone here smoke cigars occasionally post surgery?

My second question is this: I have been athletic and an athlete all of my life. I am wondering how people in their thirties have found trying to get their skin to shrink back after surgery. Did you have a lot of elasticity in the skin still? Did it shrink back a lot or no? I understand that some loose skin is inevitable with such a large amount of weight loss, and I have a goal of 150 lb weight loss. Does anyone have any insight into these??

I'm sure I will be much more active in the weeks and months to come. I am hoping to have surgery sometime early october.

Thanks for the help!

I think elasticity will be an individual experience. If you have muscle memory that week help with toning. From everything I've read here, vitamin a,c, and e help rebuild collagen and elastin. You can use e topically. I heard from paleo folks that bone marrow broth helps and well as dry brushing tone skin. The best defense against sagging skin is working out with weights, tho.