I have an appointment wtih my doctor February 27 to get a referral to a surgeon for WLS. I'm currently at 240 lbs and 5'5. I carry just about all my weight in my belly area (ever since having my son 11 yrs ago) and a little on my inner thighs. I know there are very good chances of the sagging/excess skin, but has anyone had any luck with limiting this amount? I plan to have the plastic surgery after I hit my goal if needed.I'm really crossing my fingers my doctor will give me the referrall I need. Any info is greatly appriciated!

Sagging skin is just a reality of weight loss. I lost 90 pounds "on my own" a few years ago and even though I never carried my weight in my stomach (always in my hips and thighs) and never had babies, I still ended up needing a tummy tuck. I also needed a breast lift even though I'd never had very large breasts.

There are some things you can do to try to minimize loose skin but there are no guarantees:

• hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.... you should already be drinking a lot of Water post-op, so this shouldn't be be an issue
• moisturize well
• supplement.... Vitamin c, vitamin e, Omega 3, and beef Gelatin are all said to help improve skin elasticity
• strength training.... muscle can help "fill in" the areas where you lose fat

Thank you so much for the info! I have given up soft drinks and sweet tea. Mostly I drink milk and water. I'm ok with having the excess skin for a while actually. I would rather carry that than the fat. Large breasts run in my family, but plan on having the lift also.

I too am 5'5" with a starting weight of 238 lbs so pretty close to yours.

I lost 100 lbs and although I do have some sagging skin, I don't think it's noticeable. I lost slowly (took 2 years) so I think that helped my skin react better.

Age is also a factor. The younger you are, the more elasticity in in your skin and that betters your chances of your skin shrinking as you loose weight. I'm 5'4, 58 yrs old and I've lost 48 lbs. I'm please with how well my skin as shrunk as the weight has come off. The only place I have a lot of excess skin in in my upper arms. But I've heard plastic surgery in your arms causes a large scar that you end up wanting to hide anyway...........

My weight was mainly in my belly -- Mrs. Winnie-the-Pooh. I'm happy that my skin is not saggy. Exercising/toning really helps but also skin elasticity is, I believe, genetic. Good luck with your process -- exciting times! Choosing yourself and your healthy future is an amazing thing.

Thank you all so much for the info! I'm excited and nervous!

Oh yeah! Age and genetics are definitely factors as well, but you have no control over those, so I only listed the things you can actively do that *might* help.

Just reached goal, and definitely have Sharpei-belly. I'm 55, but I'm still hoping that by drinking tons of fluids, getting regular exercise, and using moisturizer, time will take care of redistributing my skin. They say not to even consider plastic surgery until you've been at goal weight for two years. I'm going with that...

Edited February 19, 201511 yr by Rogofulm

@@JamieLogical, great advice...I think you really hit the nail on the head!

@@Bandista @@mae7365 @@Dolores33778 @@Rogofulm
@@funky_monkey800 @@JamieLogical @@mae7365

@@KathyLynn160 you too!!

you guys are all too smart
you said exactly what i was gonna say!!!!

hmmmmm then i guess i'm smart too

for me....i'm so happy about my new weight loss/life

I chose not to have plastics

happy to be thin with some loose skin
then be heavy

after all

i am cute as a button

no complaints here

just plenty of smiles
people wonder what i'm up to

good luck with surgery

kathy

Edited February 19, 201511 yr by proudgrammy

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I did have reconstructive plastics but through creative use of spanx and dressing right I was able to disguise it well before that. I think the key is to not wear things that cause skin spillage like tight jeans. This comment applies to many people....squeezed into muffin top inducing clothes isn't a great look for anyone.. and yet commonly observed in these parts.