ObesityHelp

Some excess skin is inevitable.  The degree of laxity varies based on your age, the condition of your skin, how long you were overweight, how much extra weight you carried, where you carried it.  The plastic surgery board is a good resource here.  I haven't checked it out on the new site yet but I'd expect people there to be more than willing to share their experiences as well.  

Plastics is hard to get covered unless you're experiencing other health related issues like skin breakdown, infections, backaches, etc.  I think the most common thing that I've seen covered is panni removal but people often opt to pay extra to also get a tummy tuck which isn't often covered.  I'm not expecting my insurance to cover any of it and I need both an upper and body lift with my arms being the worst thing on me.  The other stuff can be hidden more with clothes.  I do think that some of my skin laxity has improved over time.  I had my first PS consult 2 years ago come April but I think some areas have snapped back a little.  A surgeon will want you to be at a stable weight for at least a year before they think you should have plastics.

 Yes, I lost 150 pounds, so I had quite a bit of excess skin. I traveled to Brazil, the plastic surgery capital of the world, to have a highly-skilled, amazing plastic surgeon do reconstructive plastic surgery on my to remove 13 pounds of skin. Unless you have medical issues due to the skin (yeast infections, etc.) insurance doesn't usually cover it. But a little extra skin is a lot better than a lot of extra weight!

Don't be nervous, you'll be in good hands.  In another week or so you'll be feeling better and wondering why you were worried. 

oh, and it really helped me to think of all the great success stories from this board while I was lying there waiting to go into surgery.  Try it!