I haven't been banded yet, but I'm just wondering how many of you need PS? Do most bandsters need it? Does working out help with this? Or is it just the way your body is that matters? Thanks!

I've been wondering that myself. I figure I can get the face lift, stuff my bra, and hide the rest with clothes! I would be interested in other peoples experiences though.:huh2:

Do I *need* PS - no.

Would I look great if I had a breast lift, implants, eyelid surgery, a lower body lift and extensive liposuction - possibly, especially if I wanted to look like one of those Hollywood women - great in a magazine and freaking scary in real life.

In reality post weight loss, I have fared very well and am very lucky. But I really do have a problem area with boobs, and behind. The back of my thighs and my buttocks are really not my best feature, very loose and flabby despite all my running. And no PS in the world would talk me out of a breast lift, it would really benefit me.

But how many people see those parts of my body? Hardly anyone. And the boobs can even be disguised in a bathing suit! So I"m left with cellulite on the backs of my thighs (for which there is no really succesful cosmetic procedure anyway), and who doesnt have that?.

Definitely not everyone ends up with major problems like a pannus, and bat wings. But I was a BMI of 36 at my heaviest, I never carried a lot of weight on my stomach, I wasnt that fat for very many years and I'm 5ft 10 and didnt get stretch marks in any of my 3 pregnancies - its VERY individual. If you're 5 ft, round and got huge with pregnancy, chances are you are not going to have a flat stomach at the end.

It can be fixed, dont stress about it. Concentrate on losing the weight first and go from there.

I agree with Jachut...worry about the weightloss first. When I started this process 8 months ago I said I would never have PS and focused only on weightloss. 8 months and 91 pounds later...NOW I have to focus on PS. It wasn't until I was almost at goal that I finally allowed myself to start thinking about body contouring. So lose the weight, workout (it will help some!), and know that if you do need PS that there is a surgeon that will help you. MOST of the time, you will not NEED it...but you may WANT it.

Yeah its that need/want thing. Almost everyone who has lost a lot of weight could definitely use some contouring, its a matter of if they want it or not. And a good proportion of people really do need it to look, well, normal for want of a better word. I dont mean that as in they look disgusting without it, I mean they have an obvious figure problem as a result of stretched skin. I dont know what the actual stats would be, but its perfectly possible to lose a large amount of weight and look fantastic dressed (or artfully draped) and look OK enough on the beach to not make everyone sick.

My stomach looks nice and flat in that avatar, and it looks flat when I'm standing up too. But believe me, on the beach there are certain positions I avoid. I would never lean over on hands and knees to grab my Water bottle, lol. My stomach hangs like a deflated balloon when I do that. And I dont spend a lot of time sitting, bent in the middle either.

Yeah I wouldn't go out on a beach without full on gear. I was fat for 20 years and carried ALL of my weight on my tummy. Even at 250 pounds I had scultped thighs, calves and not half bad arms. However after losing this weight I look like a deflated Jabba-the Hut from Star Wars. For me I actually do NEED the surgery. The excess skin is causing some back problems. I could live with them, but I am fortunate that I can somewhat afford to do this so I did. I have NO expectations to ever be able to wear a bikini even after surgery!

Thanks for the advice. I totally agree I need to work on the weight loss first! I just wondered how many people get the skin issue. I've been overweight my whole life and it is all in my stomach. If you saw my arms and legs you would think I was thin! haha. So, in all likelyhood I will need some skin removal, but just was curiouse.