So is anyone out there just at peace with their extra skin?  Plastics isn't a road I want to travel.  I know I may have extra skin, and I'm okay with that now. I'm just curious...anyone who is living with it, are you kind of proud of where you've come from, and feel like you are complete without the plastic surgery? I hope so!

I see a lot of post RNY surgery patients at the 3 monthly support groups I attend. Most of these are women, and only a select few have had plastic surgery.  I can think of 3 or 4 women out of 100 or so. I've never met any post op men who have had plastic surgery either.  Some women have their bustline repaired, but nothing else. Others have a full body lift. Others also have plastic surgery on legs and arms. But the vast majority of women wear good undergarments and live with the excess skin. In some extreme cases, your insurance carrier may do some corrective surger on excess skin, but it won't be "pretty" like plastic surgery. The excess skin is removed to eliminate other medical issues, like skin rashes or infections caused by folded over skin. DAVE

Plastics aren't an option for me, my insurance won't cover it and I can't afford it....but I'm okay with that.  Yes I do have areas I would like to have removed/fixed but for the most part I'm not that bothered by my excess skin.  WHen I think of all the trips hubby and I could take and the amazing things we can do for the price of 1 surgery....it makes it all good.  (We just got back from skydiving!  THAT was amazing!)  I'm very proud of where I am and what I have accomplished.  I celebrate my new life by doing all the things I couldn't/wouldn't do before WLS.  I think it's a personal choice though...I knew going into my surgery I would never be wearing a bikini, that I would have saggy skin and not be able to have plastics...so I made peace with it.  It does all depend on age and how much weight you've lost, plus how you carried your weight.  I was large all over, but very preportinate (?) so I don't have as much loose skin as say someone who carried all their weight in the stomach area or whatever.  I just do what I can do...I exercised a lot before surgery, now work out 4 days a week and make sure I always get in my fluids and vitamins.  I also make sure (since day 1) that I always use plenty of lotion and exfoliate all over my body....I don't kow if it's helped or not but in my mind it has....I LOVE my new body! 

Hi Lacy I'm 3 yrs post op and have been approved for plastics but havent gone any further. I'm comfortable with how things are. I don't have alot of extra skin some in the tummy area yes and of course the upper thighs but you know what? I didn't do this to look good I did this to feel good. And I feel great I'm going to be 45 in another month and if I ever do go with plastic's it will be because I want to but right now I just don't feel the need. I live with enough pain from arthritis daily and I'm not big into pain. For any reason. I think I've earned the baggies or battle scars as some may say but I'm proud of them none the less. Dawn

I always said I'd be content with the saggy skin because at my age(50) and this point in my life it really isn't that big of an issue for me.... BUT since I had to have a hernia repaired and the doc was going to have to open me up from stern to sternum anyway I went ahead and coughed up the extra cash to throw in a Tummy Tuck..... I've got to admit I really really really like the flat flat flat view..... LOL  I may just have to rethink getting the thighs, batwings, butt and boobs done..... LOL

Everyone is different, but for me....the 10 pounds of skin the plastic surgeon took off me made more of a mental difference than the first 185 pounds I lost.  It was like I was still wearing the fat suit before...granted it was deflated but it was still there...then the plastic surgeon cut it off and I look totally normal now.  It was worth every penny...and every bit of discomfort.   I would recommend it to anyone.  It's not fun, but you get through it.  I'm 11 weeks out from my first surgery and 3 weeks until my 2nd and final one.    p.s. insurance covered part of it so don't let money be the only obstacle...a lot of times you can get things covered. Good luck, Suzanne

I'm scheduled for my plastic surgery for this Friday (2/8).  I'm a 56 yr old male and my excess skin hangs almost to my knees.  I have loose skin under my arms and on my upper arms, but I'm only doing the belly.  I expect pain, but I'm gonna be lookin' gooood. No pain, no gain.  All of this walking hasn't been in vain.

I've been really lucky and don't have excessive skin...I do have "saggy and baggy"....But then, I'm 43 yrs old and have had two kids....and never really worked out...so I expect that.  I won't have any kind of surgery done to correct any of it...I'm fine with things the way they are...and besides I think I look pretty good in clothes...don't expect to be going nude anywhere anyway...LOL Take care,  Sherrie

I think if you can be happy with your body just as it is, sags, bags or whatever, that's great, and certainly a healthy attitude. I however knew long before surgery that I would not be happy with a panni or fat arms.  My panni ended up being just a long droop of skin with pretty much no fat in it. It affected how my clothes fit and how I felt in a swimsuit as well as in intimate moments with my husband. For me, abdominoplasty was worth it. I never have gone back to get my arms done, despite the fact I had an extremely easy time recovering from abdominoplasty. Part of it is money, and part of it is the truly ugly incisions that I've seen on many people--is it a worthwhile tradeoff?  When I try to get some blouses on that have very slim sleeves (and I won't go sleeveless), I wonder. I would estimate that 50% of the men and women who were in my support group and had surgery within a year of me ended up having at least one procedure, some had multiple.  A few were and still are unhappy with the results, but most are very glad they did it.  Only one guy who had a belt-line lift had any recovery issues. Just my perspective. Ann

In a world where money and time weren't an issue, I might go under the knife again to finish a job well done.  But, I don't live in that world, and I'm quite content with what lycra has to offer me when I want to use it.

yes I am happy with the way I look right now,  although I am going to try to have a tummy tuck, but if it don't happen I am ok with that also.  I am complete with or with out it .

I can accept the skin, for now! But I am saving up for plastic surgery. I look at it as the 'scars of a FFC' (ffc = former fat chick)... almost like reminders of where I came from. When I was big I had the fat arms, flabby stomach and big legs... now I have the arm fat hanging, flabby stomach and loose inner thighs... I can see people look at my arms when I wear short sleeves and it makes me so uncomfortable! There are areas that are better than others but the arms and stomach really get to me... I can live with the non-boobs and thighs :-)

I've always been very comfortable with me…large and now small. I do have extra skin…although it's not as bad as some I've seen. I wouldn't mind having a few things tightened and plumped back up…but if I NEVER have it done, I'm soooooooooo ok with that. I love me just the way I am….

Hugs,

Lisa

Some of us sort of "have to" deal with it.  You get used to it.  I've been living with my extra floppies for three years:  "I'm fat, deal with it."  But, I don't like it.  I planned to have some removed (hell I was supposed to have surgery this week) but life keeps getting in the way.  I may have to make peace with it.

NO WAY!  I am having an LBL in July after I lose the last 13lbs, I can't stand the extra skin and it is mentally draining.  I am 36 and have a lot more living to make up for that I have lost, including wearing a bathing suit and looking good again.  I feel great, I want to feel even better!

AmyBeth

And I thought *I* was the only one who didn't give a damn about having PS! I've lost 200 pounds, and I'm pushing 50 y.o., so there's a bit of loose skin: more than some people; less than some others. But I have no intention of doing anything about it. For me, it's too expensive and too dangerous. And, frankly, I think the skin sag is better looking than some some PS scars I've seen.

No, I settled for 20 year MO, no freaking way will I settle again.  All the extra skin is going come hell or high water. Hugs Heidi