Hi All - After many years of battling my weight - I have decided to opt for a gastric sleeve surgery. It was suggested by a friend (who has also had a gastric sleeve) that I join this site to look over all the information available. You guys are so great and such an inspiration. I have my first consultation this coming Friday. I am so excited and scared at the same time. I won't have any issues with insurance coverage - that's not a concern. My major concern - that has me scared is the loose skin that will remain. I am 360 pounds - and pretty much all belly....so I believe I will have a huge hanging skin roll after my weight loss. Can any guys share their experience after weight loss....?? I have seen a few people state that insurance coverage would handle corrective surgery - but I know that changes by policy. Any of you that have lots of excess skin - do you have any issues with it?

I know that I will be so much better off after the surgery and it will be great for my health. I am not sure why I am so concerned over the excess skin - but I am.

Edited May 20, 20188 yr by ARCarnes

if your doctor can document skin breakdown and/or fungal infections and you have taken pictures for further documentation you have a chance. Of course insurance will try to wiggle out,of things, ?it's like organizing an earthworm drill team. Very frustrating!?

I’m sure I’ll have the apron. My tummy is my big part too. Since I’m female I’ll need my boobs done too. I also have large arms, but I’m not to worried about the skin there for now. I’ve lost 20 lbs since VSG on5/10/18. I can already see my tummy drooping. Personally my insurance doesn’t cover any kind of reconstruction surgery, but it’s worth it for the health benefits.
I can’t get any plastics until my weight has stabilized, so like 18 months to 2 years from now.
I was worried about the skin too, but it either happens or it doesn’t. If I feel like I want it later, I’ll get it. But I’m not letting extra skin keep me from getting healthy.
If you haven’t done it already, look around on YouTube and IG and stuff for skin pics. It sounds dirty, but it’s actually people who have done these surgeries showing off their extra skin. You’ll see it’s not as bad as you think it’s going to be most of the time.
My best advice is, the smaller you are when you have surgery, the less extra skin you’ll end up having. I was able to lose 59 lbs in the year of NUT visits required my by insurance before I could have my sleeve.
To me, the extra skin was worth the health benefits. You’ll have to figure out if it’s the same for you.
Good luck on your journey!


HW: 311
SW: 255 VSG 5/10/18
CW: 238.6
First goal weight: 209
Second goal weight: 191 lbs
Third goal weight: 159 lbs
Final Goal weight: 142 lbs

5’6” 34 yo female in NC

Great - thank you!!

Hi AR Carnes, I am 5 years out from my RNY. I have been pretty lucky I lost 135 pounds in 6 months. I had some problems with strictures (kind of like scar tissue) and it was way to low. My Surgeon and nutritionist both were worried that I was losing so fast and they thought I was losing to much muscle. I had to have 5 endoscopies starting from Nov 2013 until my last one on Jan 2015. Not fun but at least it was an easy fix. So I have maintained my weight at 124 to 130 since. So now in 2015 I needed a Panni, He removed 10 pounds plus. If I had known that it didn't get rid of my higher stomach I would have paid for it at the same time. Am I happy with what I got NO DARN WAY!!! I worked hard to lose it and would of loved to get what was promised. Will I get more done? Like Lipo and arms etc more than likely not I am now 62 years old and I would love to finish my body but insureance won't cover it at all, they say it is cosmetic. So I am built like a man with most of my weight in my stomach and yes I had lots of skin removed but no muscle repair. Most do have skin issues. But every other part of my loose skin I say a MULTITUDE OF SINS can be hid by our clothes. Also I can say that the Panni was one of the easiest surgery's I have had. Good Luck and keep us in the know about your journey. Good Luck and most of all KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!

Hi AR Carnes, I am 5 years out from my RNY. I have been pretty lucky I lost 135 pounds in 6 months. I had some problems with strictures (kind of like scar tissue) and it was way to low. My Surgeon and nutritionist both were worried that I was losing so fast and they thought I was losing to much muscle. I had to have 5 endoscopies starting from Nov 2013 until my last one on Jan 2015. Not fun but at least it was an easy fix. So I have maintained my weight at 124 to 130 since. So now in 2015 I needed a Panni, He removed 10 pounds plus. If I had known that it didn't get rid of my higher stomach I would have paid for it at the same time. Am I happy with what I got NO DARN WAY!!! I worked hard to lose it and would of loved to get what was promised. Will I get more done? Like Lipo and arms etc more than likely not I am now 62 years old and I would love to finish my body but insureance won't cover it at all, they say it is cosmetic. So I am built like a man with most of my weight in my stomach and yes I had lots of skin removed but no muscle repair. Most do have skin issues. But every other part of my loose skin I say a MULTITUDE OF SINS can be hid by our clothes. Also I can say that the Panni was one of the easiest surgery's I have had. Good Luck and keep us in the know about your journey. Good Luck and most of all KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!

Were you as a whole pleaded with the panni, or if you had it to do over again, would you have done something along the lines of the mommy make over? Tummy tuck and boobs together I believe. Since my insurance won’t pay a cent for ANYTHING including the panni, I’m just wondering how you would go about it. Like I said, I’m a long way off from that, but I’m a crazy planner. Thankfully I have a good plastic surgeon here that I already see (Botox for migraines) and he does excellent work. But it’s not going to be cheap no matter what I do.
Also, how does the panni work? Do they just remove the apron? Do they fix the belly button placement at all?



HW: 311
SW: 255 VSG 5/10/18
CW: 236
First goal weight: 209
Second goal weight: 191 lbs
Third goal weight: 159 lbs
Final Goal weight: 142 lbs

5’6” 34 yo female in NC

Yes A MILLON times over I would go for it all!! The Panni is the lower skin on the stomach. I was told by my Plastic surgeon that he would cut me down the center and pull everything around and get rid of the excess skin there also. He didn't do anything except remove my lower stomach skin made me a new belly button and the amazing thing was years before this I had my gallbladder removed and I had this large scar cut down the whole length of my side tummy. right under my breast. After my skin surgery the scar is WAY down almost to the top of my well I'm sure you get the picture. My skin is super tight thatn if I eat even a few bites after the full mark it hurts like the Dickins. Mainly if I lie down it feels like the skin is stretching. So if I was you I would get it all done. If only my Dr. had been truthful I would have paid for the rest. DANG HIM BTW he offered to do Lipo and a breast lift for $6,000. It made me think he was making more business for himself!! I guess we all have got to make a living!!

My starting weight was same as yours. Not sure your height but I can assure you now that I'm passed my goal weight is not bad. There is some loose skin but it's not horrible. I will be having a TT in the fall but that's for me to feel complete in my journey. I could live with what is there comfortably.

VSG 10/11/17
HW = 360
SW = 292
GW = 220 3/7/18
CW = 206.6 @ 6'5"
153.4 pounds gone!

Edited May 20, 20188 yr by 336Mike

Thanks 336Mike...!!

I didn't find that loose skin was much of a problem. Most of my loose skin was below the belt, so unless I was going to a nudist colony, no one would ever see it (except my wife).