I have a real real hard stomach, kind of like the type when your pregnant. I often think (in a kidding way of course) if I just poke it the air will deflate and I will be good to go...

Is your stomach a hard or mushy stomach? Is it harder to lose a hard stomach? Finally I wonder if my stomach skin will be gross after the surgery..:ohmy:

I don't think I have an answer for the hard stomach. I'm assuming that you aren't talking about the type of hardness we have when we have gas. But -- as far as loose skin--my understanding is that everyone is different. I did some research on this and found out that ---bascially -- they really can't predict who will and who will not end up with loose skin. They think the biggest factors are -- genetics, age, how long we have been overweight, and some people think the rate of weight loss is part of it. I am surprized and happy to say that SO FAR -- I don't see any loose skin. I have lost about half of my excess weight. In fact--I'm finding that there is a certain color and quality returning that I haven't seen in years. Now -- I don't know what will happen in the next 50lbs but I'm hopeful. You may want to go to the Reconstruction thread on this board and see what women who have lost all their weight have to say about this. Good luck.

I have a real real hard stomach, kind of like the type when your pregnant. I often think (in a kidding way of course) if I just poke it the air will deflate and I will be good to go...

Is your stomach a hard or mushy stomach? Is it harder to lose a hard stomach? Finally I wonder if my stomach skin will be gross after the surgery..:ohmy:

I have a question for you....Is your stomach hard, with pain at times? I am asking this because normally your stomach is not going to be "pregnancy hard" unless you have some sort of fibroid, or something else going on. If your muscular that is one thing, but I am not sure what you mean by "real real hard". I do agree with the comment before mine, about genetics, age and how much weight you have to lose. Good luck!

I also have a hard stomach - in fact, I am not really that overweight but look like I am pregnant and very hard stomach - no hanging skin at all so you can see my port - it sticks up. Anyway, I was so worried that I may have at tumor in my stomach which was making it stick out so far that I went and had a CT Scan and of course it was fine. I don't think my stomach will ever go down - it is very depressing.

I also have a hard stomach - in fact, I am not really that overweight but look like I am pregnant and very hard stomach - no hanging skin at all so you can see my port - it sticks up. Anyway, I was so worried that I may have at tumor in my stomach which was making it stick out so far that I went and had a CT Scan and of course it was fine. I don't think my stomach will ever go down - it is very depressing.

how long have you been banded and how much weight have you lost?

3 weeks and I maybe just a few lbs - am really bummed about it - I feel like it is never going to go down.

This is such an interesting thread. I have a soft stomach...very soft. I already know it's gonna be an issue as I lose more and more. I often wondered what causes one or the other. Maybe someone with a medical background can shed some light...

Well my dad is the same way I always thought of his as a beer belly but since I don't drink I guess that isn't the case...

Actually a hard stomach rather than a mushy one (like men tend to get) tends to mean that most of your fat is internal. Women tend to be mushier, softer and flabbier because they store more fat underneath their skin.

Sorry to say, fat round your organs and internally is more of a health risk so its a VERY good idea to lose it!

And a beer belly is not really caused by drinking beer specifically, its caused by too many calories (which may come from beer) and its hard like it is precisely because of the male tendency to store fat internally.

Actually a hard stomach rather than a mushy one (like men tend to get) tends to mean that most of your fat is internal. Women tend to be mushier, softer and flabbier because they store more fat underneath their skin.

Sorry to say, fat round your organs and internally is more of a health risk so its a VERY good idea to lose it!

And a beer belly is not really caused by drinking beer specifically, its caused by too many calories (which may come from beer) and its hard like it is precisely because of the male tendency to store fat internally.

Thanks that is why I am getting the lap band

Well, lets just cross fingers for you that hard stomach = no excess stomach skin! Good luck.