Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Are Plastics Pretty Much Inevitable?



Recommended Posts

So. I'm only almost four days out and I'm already wondering about plastics. Are they pretty much inevitable? Is there anything that can be done to prevent them? Special toning exercises, etc? Just curious...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

not inevitable, but with the amount of weight you're likely to lose (I'm looking at your starting weight), you're likely to have loose skin.

HOWEVER, a lot of us are able to hide it really well, so you're likely the only person who'll know it's there. I've had plastics because it was driving ME nuts, but no one else knew about it. It was easy to hide. I was just careful to wear elbow-length (or longer) sleeves and a slightly oversized, long-ish top that covered up all the abdominal skin (I don't have much excess skin on my thighs and legs - it was mostly in my gut). Here's a picture of me BEFORE I had plastics. I lost over 200 lbs. See any loose skin?

prepscrop.thumb.JPG.3226b0cab28a231d1df8b17e1c6b3535.JPG

Edited by catwoman7

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I got near goal with 100 pound loss, I had pretty bad turkey neck, really saggy underarms, very droopy inner thighs, and a pretty saggy belly. With time, however, (6 months past that time), things have tightened up a lot, and I am 63 years old - not a young chickie with good collagen and elasticity. I was seriously thinking of arm and tummy work, but I cannot imagine it now. Like the above poster, my tummy looseness is very easy to hide and I look fabulous in my bicycle shorts!. My neck is not as saggy. Neither are the thighs or arms. The only hopeless cause are the boobs, and I can easily compensate with a bra. It's not like I'm a swimsuit model and have to show it all off.

My advice is to give it a year after reaching goal. Don't rush into plastics. It's a big deal - serious surgery and expensive to boot. So make sure you really want and need to take that plunge. Big kudoos to those who have done it - they look great! But I suggest giving it time. You are going to have a period where you think your new body is horrible and ugly, with all the new sags and bags. You will want to jump into surgery and make it all better. But if you give yourself some time to adjust mentally, you will start to love and appreciate the new body you have been given, and all it is capable of doing for you. That is the time to decide about plastics - not when you are in the stage of feeling ugly and embarrassed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd like to have plastics, but I can't afford them, so I'm just going to live with my wrinkled saggy skin.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree with working out and things post op or post goal as above it may take months of hard work to see a difference in the saggy skin but it's not impossible as @AZhiker said!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/16/2020 at 4:40 PM, catwoman7 said:

not inevitable, but with the amount of weight you're likely to lose (I'm looking at your starting weight), you're likely to have loose skin.

HOWEVER, a lot of us are able to hide it really well, so you're likely the only person who'll know it's there. I've had plastics because it was driving ME nuts, but no one else knew about it. It was easy to hide. I was just careful to wear elbow-length (or longer) sleeves and a slightly oversized, long-ish top that covered up all the abdominal skin (I don't have much excess skin on my thighs and legs - it was mostly in my gut). Here's a picture of me BEFORE I had plastics. I lost over 200 lbs. See any loose skin?

prepscrop.thumb.JPG.3226b0cab28a231d1df8b17e1c6b3535.JPG

Wow, you look wonderful! Congrats on all your successes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my inquiry.

Your answers were all very helpful and I appreciate it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It depends on what YOUR goals are once you have lost the weight.

For me, I looked (mostly) great in clothes, IMO. Lots of pics on the OOTD thread if you're interested. But naked, or in a bathing suit, not so much. I really wanted to be as happy as reasonably possible both in and out of clothes. So I knew going into WLS, that plastics was part of the process for me.

In my case no amount of patience, exercise, toning, non surgical treatments etc would make me happy with my naked self. I had lost my breasts nearly entirely. I missed them, and wanted full breasts again, so I needed a breast augmentation. I had saggy skin on my stomach, hips and thighs. I had a lower body lift and 4.5 lbs of skin and tissue were removed (no lipo). Nothing short of surgery would have made that kind of difference.

It's a very individual decision. There is no right or wrong answer. You have the balance how you feel about your appearance against the pain, scars, risks and expense of plastics.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I’m almost 3 years post-gastric bypass and am scheduled for a lower body lift (no lipo) and brachioplasty in mid Feb 2020. I’m low BMI but my wrinkled stomach & lower butt cheeks, ugly belly button, and bat wings still really bother me. Another reason I’ve decided to go forward with PS is studies have shown body contouring post-WLS can help people keep the weight off. Perhaps it is because when you’re happier with your body that can serve as a motivation to eat healthier, thus minimizing regain.

Body Contouring Improves Long-Term Weight Control After Gastric Bypass https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/body-contouring-improves-long-term-weight-control-after-gastric-bypass

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/21/2020 at 5:50 PM, MarinaGirl said:

I’m almost 3 years post-gastric bypass and am scheduled for a lower body lift (no lipo) and brachioplasty in mid Feb 2020. I’m low BMI but my wrinkled stomach & lower butt cheeks, ugly belly button, and bat wings still really bother me. Another reason I’ve decided to go forward with PS is studies have shown body contouring post-WLS can help people keep the weight off. Perhaps it is because when you’re happier with your body that can serve as a motivation to eat healthier, thus minimizing regain.

Body Contouring Improves Long-Term Weight Control After Gastric Bypass https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/body-contouring-improves-long-term-weight-control-after-gastric-bypass

Wow, I was not aware of that study. It's a good thing to know. Fingers crossed someday I'll have enough for PS.

Good luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So. I'm only almost four days out and I'm already wondering about plastics. Are they pretty much inevitable? Is there anything that can be done to prevent them? Special toning exercises, etc? Just curious...


My best advice would be to exercise as soon as you can, adding in toning and strengthening. Building muscle while losing fat will help. It’s not going to totally prevent it, but it helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/24/2020 at 1:13 PM, Wickedwinner said:


My best advice would be to exercise as soon as you can, adding in toning and strengthening. Building muscle while losing fat will help. It’s not going to totally prevent it, but it helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When did you start doing exercises beyond walking?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Loose skin was inevitable. Plastics were my choice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm starting to think given the molasses-slow rate my weight is coming off, I probably won't even need plastics given loose skin is affiliated with rapid weight loss. #slowloser

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, kc892020 said:

I'm starting to think given the molasses-slow rate my weight is coming off, I probably won't even need plastics given loose skin is affiliated with rapid weight loss. #slowloser

I was a slow loser and still had a fair amount of loose skin. When you're talking that much weight, you're very likely to have it (I lost over 200 lbs)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×