Excess Skin

[Justoperated 141]

I am almost at goal weight, though I feel, few lbs left are just skin, and I am where I should be.

Though I expected the excess skin, it still makes me kinda sad. This is at my back, there is more on my stomach.

[Justoperated 141]

How has this pic turned upside down, have no idea

[JamieLogical 8,684]

Well, you can always opt to have it removed, but I would suggest waiting a little while once you reach goal to give it a chance to contract naturally first. The usual recommendation is a full year at goal before having skin removal surgery. I personally had mine at 8 months after major weight loss a few years ago.

[Justoperated 141]

I don't feel, i will have the courage to remove it, long scars freak me out.

[ShrinkingPeach 1,291]

The surgeon who spoke to our support group said once you reach goal weight she likes to see stability for 6 months so you get the best results...not sure how other plastic surgeons feel. I am definitely going to have a bunch of loose skin and am already seeing some. I plan to get it all removed and it will probably make a big difference in the end result of my weight. Scars are not pretty but I want to be able to enjoy the results of my hard work.

[livvsmum 2,368]

Having my excess skin removed was the best decision I ever made, second only to having the sleeve in the first place. Yep, you'll have a long scar, but carrying around that reminder of how I used to abuse myself with food was not an option for me. After losing 155 pounds and 18 months post op, I had a Tummy Tuck and panni and have been so pleased with the results. Pics are in my blog if you are interested (linked in siggy).

[Justoperated 141]

Thanks for sharing your experience, how was the recovery? Longer than sleeve?

[livvsmum 2,368]

Thanks for sharing your experience, how was the recovery? Longer than sleeve?

Definitely a longer and more difficult recovery than the sleeve. The sleeve (for me at least) was laproscopic so not too hard physcially. For me the recovery was more mental and emotional with that. Not that there wasn't any pain at all or physical adjustment.....but nothing compared to the TT & panni. I had an abnormal amount of muscle repair work to be done though (due to having 4 9+ pound babies and carrying around 155 excess pounds), so I'm sure not everyone is as sore afterward as I was/am. The incision site actually never bothered me. It's still pretty numb. I have to massage it 5 minutes 2x a day and it does't bother me a bit. Right now it's just mainly muscle soreness in my upper abs. He said that could take a good 6 months to work itself out. If you see the before/after pics though, you will see why I say I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Good luck to you, no matter what you decide!!

[JamieLogical 8,684]

@@Justoperated Tummy Tuck + muscle repair recovery is serious business. It is a MUCH more extensive surgery than sleeve. The recovery takes much longer and is much more intense. It was several days before I could even get out of a hospital bed and use the bathroom on my own. I had to wear compression garments for 10 weeks. I didn't go back to work for 4 weeks and even then it was half days. And it was 3 months before I was allowed to do any ab/core work at all. I wasn't even allowed to try ANY running again until over 6 weeks post-op and I'd been running 5k a day prior to my TT.

[livvsmum 2,368]

@@Justoperated Tummy Tuck + muscle repair recovery is serious business. It is a MUCH more extensive surgery than sleeve. The recovery takes much longer and is much more intense. It was several days before I could even get out of a hospital bed and use the bathroom on my own. I had to wear compression garments for 10 weeks. I didn't go back to work for 4 weeks and even then it was half days. And it was 3 months before I was allowed to do any ab/core work at all. I wasn't even allowed to try ANY running again until over 6 weeks post-op and I'd been running 5k a day prior to my TT.

I completely agree. I was in the hospital for 4 days and the first 2 I could not bring myself to even get up to go to the bathroom so I had a catheter. It was a 7-hour extensive surgery. I also, was in great physical shape and am a runner. It's 6 weeks and I'm still not back to running - or long walks for that matter ...... But, all that said, it was still worth it. To me, not even comparable to the sleeve surgery as far as invasiveness, recovery, pain, etc.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

But, all that said, it was still worth it.

Couldn't agree more! I am almost 4 years post-tummy tuck so all the pain and hardship of the recovery is a very distant memory, but I still enjoy the results EVERY SINGLE DAY! My flat stomach is probably my favorite part of my body now. I am so completely obsessed with it, even 4 years later!

[Justoperated 141]

That's quite a lot. Did you have only skin removal or muscle suturing as well?

If its only skin removal does that reuce recovery and activity time?

[JamieLogical 8,684]

That's quite a lot. Did you have only skin removal or muscle suturing as well?

If its only skin removal does that reuce recovery and activity time?

Yes, the recovery time is less if you don't have muscle repair, because then it's just skin, nerve, and lymphatic system healing. The skin will heal pretty quickly. And while the nerve and lymphatic system will take longer to heal, their healing doesn't actually impede your activity. You will just experience numbness, phantom pain and itching, and a lot of swelling/water retention. But I *highly* recommend the muscle repair as well. It is what will give you a truly flat stomach and the ability to see some definition in your abs if/when you are able to work on strengthening them again. The recovery takes longer, but in the grand scheme of things, you will enjoy the benefit of it for years and years. If you are already having surgery anyway and already going to have to have SOME recovery time, it's worth the temporary pain and extra recovery time.

[livvsmum 2,368]

I agree. I dont' think I would have even bothered having it done if it was just the Excess skin removal or even just the panni. I'm so pleased with the results from both, and what's a little soreness for a few months in the grand scheme of things.

[Justoperated 141]

@@JamieLogical

@@livvsmum

I feel I don't need muscle repair, I already have pretty good definition and can feel rock solid abs and even the fibres. Even while standing there does not seem to be like I have much skin hanging around, its only when I bend that it becomes obvious how much I am carrying around.

But I guess a surgeon will know better whether it will benefit me or not. The pic below is about 2 month old and I have lost 8-9 lbs since then.