Hello Everyone:

Is PS a definite for eveyone who has been banded? Are there people who loose over 100#s and don't end up with loose skin? Is there anything that can be done that can reduce the chances of you having to have plastic surgery?

The reason that i am asking is becuase i was jsut recently banded. I see tons of people getting TT and all kinds of lifts and such and i am terrified of having to have all that done. I can not afford to have that done for one thing.

Any advise on reducing the chance of having to have plastic surgery?

Everyone is different, but most times stretched skin will stay loose, it does not usually have the elasticity to tighten up. How you carried your weight will have a lot to do with it! If you are evenly heavy, then you will have looser skin, but still just be smaller overall. In a case like mine, where 90% of my excess weight was in my stomach---there is no way it is going to every shrink enough to not be a problem. You are younger, and if you carry your weight overall, it might not ever be a necessity....there is just no way to know how we will look until it is done.

If excess skin is a medical issue---as mine on my stomach is at this point---skin tears, and infections in the fold of loose skin---then oftentimes insurance will cover it. Same as a breast reduction due to back problems is covered where implants for cosmetic purposes are not.

If you begin having issues with sores from loose skin, or breakdown of skin---have them seen by your Dr. and documented. They happen frequently on the stomach (pannus) under hanging breasts, and on the inner thigh. My PS said they can often times show a medical necessity in these cases.

I was given a comparison of a balloon that had been blown up and then the air let out, would never go back to the original balloon size----but----being like the the balloon without air, is still better than being filled out!!

Some people swear by lotions and oils---I have no idea if any of them actually do anything---besides keep your skin soft though!

Kat

I am 43. I was 300 lbs and I lost 125 when I was 28. I then regained about 70ish back. When I lose all my weight this time I will still have a flabby ugly flappy tummy, it woant go anywhere without some P/S help. My legs I believe will be ok, I have been bim,ing and they seem to be tightening up. Arms I think I can live with, its that dang delflated balloon tummy that bothers me....

It seems that the majority of us who have to lose 100+ will have alot of loose skin when we're done. I certainly can tell that I will.

Take a look at some of the pictures on the before and after threads. If you can find a picture of jachut in her bathing suit, she looks great and I don't think she had any plastic surgery.

Good luck.

Sue

I think people who have gastric bypass get loose skin from losing 100 pounds overnight. The lap band is more gradual. If you are young and your skin is good, and you do slow steady weight loss, plastic surgery might not be necessary. My last big weight loss before the lap band was 60 lbs and I didnt have loose skin because it was gradual (over 2 yrs). I dont see myself getting plastic surgery now except that my boobs are headed south and that seriously bugs me but they look good in a bra.

Hello Everyone:

Is PS a definite for eveyone who has been banded? Are there people who loose over 100#s and don't end up with loose skin? Is there anything that can be done that can reduce the chances of you having to have plastic surgery?

The reason that i am asking is becuase i was jsut recently banded. I see tons of people getting TT and all kinds of lifts and such and i am terrified of having to have all that done. I can not afford to have that done for one thing.

Any advise on reducing the chance of having to have plastic surgery?