Hi there,

I see a lot of discussion about plastic surgery (lifts etc) after surgery and I am just wondering if that is a given? Does everyone need plastic surgery to deal with loose skin, or does it vary from person to person? I assume I will always have stretch marks, but I guess I just thought that since many women have children and their skin goes back to normal, I had hoped losing weight could potentially be the same. What are people's thoughts/experiences on this issue?

Thanks!

I have lost almost 80 pounds and it's been one year this month and I don't have any extra skin. I won't need any plastic surgery but am getting a boob lift just so they will be more perky but don't need any skin removal. I'm so proud too because I've seen the scars from body lifts and skin removals and I didn't want any of that. I think you will be fine and plus I'm 40 years old to boot.

Well you have to define "need" and want.

I've lost 85lb and I dont need plastic surgery. Sure, I could look improved if I had some. I have a flat belly, but I'm kinda flabby in the backside and thighs. I say I dont have batwings, but then again, I dont have arms like a supermodel either. I'm sure if they got me on one to those makeover shows they could find things to do to me. I look like a 40 year old who's had 3 babies. Fine by me since that's what I am.

But do I "need" it. No. I dont have lose skin hanging on me anywhere. I can wear sleeveless tops, or a bathing suit and look just like everyone else. People wont faint on the beach becuase I'm drop dead gorgeous, but with a bit of fake tan and a quick dash to the Water I can manage to not make people sick, lol.

I'm OK. I'm healthy and strong and very fit and that's good enough for me. I dont have to tuck skin into my clothes, which is wonderful. I just dont look like losing all that weight suddenly turned me into a 20 year old again.

Thanks ladies. That's a relief. Perhaps I got the wrong idea in my mind... I've read a few posts and got this horrid image in my mind of being relatively thin, but having folds and folds of skin that I would have to tape up before putting on my clothes! Yuk! I don't need to look like a supermodel, I'll be very happy with 'normal' for a change, rather than 'you have such pretty hair and teeth' - which is pretty much the only compliment I've had in years. lol

The more that I think about it though, the people who do have that problem, maybe they should connect those people with burn victims, extra skin off one could be a lifesaver who someone who needs new skin.

Do you think protein intake has anything to do with whether or not people have hanging skin? Just wondering - I know my doctor said that extra protein will keep gastric bypass patients from losing too much hair.

No I dont. I dont believe in Protein as the be all and end all of everything, to me its just one of the macronutrients we need - of the same importance as carbs and fats, not more. I dont count protein grams, I dont eat a ton of protein (probably average out 40 to maybe 60 grams most days for my 5ft 10, 168lb frame) and I have not had hanging skin, nor did I lose my hair.

I think a well balanced diet, with plenty of the good fats can help, and taking a Multivitamin supplement is good insurance for everyone.

I guess the only thing I could say that has perhaps helped is that I'm an exercise fanatic. I run looooong distances and I lift very heavy weights. I work very hard, at least an hour of really hard stuff most days. No namby pamby walking for me, lol.

But I really think its luck of the draw. I also had 3 huge 10 lb babies and never got a single stretchmark, and I did not carry weight on my stomach but more, all over, stretched over a tall body. I also was overweight/ish most of my life, but not severely obese for more than about 4 years. Simple as that.