Excess Skin has me unmotivated

[sill21 69]

I’m a year and a three months out of gastric sleeve surgery. I have excess skin on my stomach, arms, and thighs. My doctor told me if I get to my goal I can get it removed but I’ve been so unmotivated because of the excess skin. I feel like I put all this work into losing and now I still look terrible. I know this journey is for our health but I can’t even focus on that. I’ve been eating way too much because I can’t find the motivation to refocus when I know I still look bad on the outside.

Anyone else feel like this? What did you do?

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Well, I am looking pretty saggy. And just losing weight and being a smaller size gives me all kinds of anxiety, so I know that it can be scary for some of us. So go ahead and 'sit' with your fear awhile and just feel that. But don't eat. Write this down in a journal and let it be for a few days, then go back and re-read it. Write down also all the benefits you have experienced because you have lost weight, let this sink in.

For myself - I can move so much easier, cross my legs, get up on the step stool to reach the closet shelves, get in and out of the bathtub easier, wear smaller shoes/clothes, and I have a lot more energy - I smile way more too. Even with the saggy skin I feel so much better already.

[frust8 962]

I have a question I haven't heard answered. Does anyone else get dizzy in the shower? I don't take real hot ones, I never noticed it until I started losing weight. I have cut back showering from daily to a couple times a week. I hold on to the bar built into the tub surround with my left hand and do my soaping with right. Try to enter and exit smoothly but I'm a little woolly leaving. Is this normal or should I bring it up to PCP?[emoji21]

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

[Healthy_life2 8,319]

9 hours ago, sill21 said:

I’m a year and a three months out of gastric sleeve surgery. I have excess skin on my stomach, arms, and thighs. My doctor told me if I get to my goal I can get it removed but I’ve been so unmotivated because of the excess skin. I feel like I put all this work into losing and now I still look terrible. I know this journey is for our health but I can’t even focus on that. I’ve been eating way too much because I can’t find the motivation to refocus when I know I still look bad on the outside.

Anyone else feel like this? What did you do?

You said looking bad on the outside and the extra skin has made you unmotivated to lose weight. "I look terrible so I eat" You are sabotaging all your hard work. Counseling is a good option to deal with body image and put you back on track.

Sometimes it's not that you need motivation it's that you need perspective: (tough love)

At this moment, a child has suffered facial ,torso burns and lost the use of their legs from a car accident. She would gladly trade places with you for your weight loss struggles

SKIN TIGHT TV SERIES - shows plastics done for people people starting at a much higher weight than what you have posted. Might put things into perspective of what things can look like for you after plastics.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=skin+tight+full+episode

[TakingABreak 2,733]

4 hours ago, Sosewsue61 said:

For myself - I can move so much easier, cross my legs, get up on the step stool to reach the closet shelves, get in and out of the bathtub easier, wear smaller shoes/clothes, and I have a lot more energy - I smile way more too. Even with the saggy skin I feel so much better already.

I love your response! Great reminders of why I had surgery! I smile more too

[summerset 5,261]

On 23.3.2018 at 4:50 AM, sill21 said:

Anyone else feel like this? What did you do?

Focus on health and how certain things are easier once you weigh less. It's the best you can do for now. It would be shame if the fear of loose skin would hold you back.

[KatFight 207]

I have a question I haven't heard answered. Does anyone else get dizzy in the shower? I don't take real hot ones, I never noticed it until I started losing weight. I have cut back showering from daily to a couple times a week. I hold on to the bar built into the tub surround with my left hand and do my soaping with right. Try to enter and exit smoothly but I'm a little woolly leaving. Is this normal or should I bring it up to PCP?[emoji21]

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I have had that happen many times in the shower post-surgery. I told my family physician at a follow-up appointment. He checked Iron, B-12 level, Vitamin D and more. The only issue was hypothyroidism hi how I’ve had for over a decade. It needed a dosage tweak.

I’m intrigued as to why this happens. Thanks for mentioning because I didn’t realize there was at least one other person besides me who got dizzy in the shower. Strange, isn’t it? [emoji97]

[KatFight 207]

Forgot to say, yes, bring it up to your PCP and let me know what you found out.

[Wallflower7522 328]

I have a question I haven't heard answered. Does anyone else get dizzy in the shower? I don't take real hot ones, I never noticed it until I started losing weight. I have cut back showering from daily to a couple times a week. I hold on to the bar built into the tub surround with my left hand and do my soaping with right. Try to enter and exit smoothly but I'm a little woolly leaving. Is this normal or should I bring it up to PCP?[emoji21]

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Bring it up and have your blood work checked. My Iron levels were low and it was causing me to have similar issues.