The before photos is exactly why I am scared to death to have WLS. I am frightend that my body will look like that and I have to wonder if losing the weight is worth it if I can never afford to have all that sikn removed. I have suffered from depression from being over weight and feeling unatractive. I am at a place in my life that I like who I am I just detest the body I am in. Howver, I unsure if I would be able to live with my body looking like the before surgery picture for the remainder of my life. I wonder if I were to exersize pre-op and post-op would there be less chance of my skin hanging in this fashon? If so I might chance it.

Thank you for sharing I am in this decision right now and looking around for a good surgeon. I have lost over 120 pounds and having some of the same problems now with rashes and sometimes odors. My husband supported me from the beginning when I decided to have the Gastric Bypass in March 2005. I am now at 243lbs and my goal is 220 or 200lbs I do know that more of the weight is all this hanging skin. I am looking to have the surgeries done next year once I get out of cosmetology school. Enjoy you new life!! Be blessed.

OK everyone this is really scary.........I just read this article at my surgeons office last Thursday and it was making me have second thoughts........I have two people to lose too!!! Has anyone had the surgery lost tons of weight and NOT had this issue? How can we contact Joan and find out if maybe she didnt go to the gym....or how old she was.....maybe it was her elasticity ? Or am I kidding myself.....

hi, this is especially to Elizabeth. If you like who you are, and you already "detest" your body...why not be healthier and detest it? I'm 20 months post lap banding...have lost 120 lbs and over the last 40 lbs....yep, my skin is loose and I DO NOT feel attractive, or sexy...I am working on this. What I do feel, is hopeful, happy and so looking forward to the future. i can walk, i can excercise with my family, ride a bike, bend over, get up off the floor, reach my feet....I can see my privates!!! I feel so good, full of energy and everyday is just keeps getting better. I was a size 30...at 5"2...now I'm a 14 jeans, still 5"2 :). I know that my body image will catch up with me..and i know that soon I'll be in a happier place...body imagage wise....i know this because the thing has been a series of coming to terms with change...and right now after loosing 120 lbs...I am SOOOOO much happier then i was and i absolutely never regret having weight loss surgery....my body is abit baggy...before it was alot fat. Sof neither is considered "pretty" I choose baggy and active and heathier and so very much more engaged in life. I see myself in the morror as i pass one ina store or even at home...what? i do a double take...is that me...so pretty, so full of life and energy...yes, thats me...and i NEVER expected to feel so good, not ever....being fat is hard, sometimes sad and such a physical burden. Please don't give up the idea of loosing weight because of the cosmetic adjustments.......the trade off is so much greater....you owe it to yourself to reconsider! Lori

Hi. My name is Alana. I have lost 220 lbs through gastric bypass, and this is what my body looks like. I have 30 lbs to go to goal. I am only 29 so I am hoping some of my youthfullness will heap the skin snap back once I do have plastic surgery. I have the same issue where I think to myself, why did I lose all this weight if I can show off my new body. You learn creative skin tucking and covering! I hope to have plastics some time next year. I just want to look halfway normal again.

Lori, Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am like Elizabeth--haven't had surgery yet, but worried that once I do, I'll still look horrible! But you're right; even if I 3nd up looking like a saggy baggy elephant, at least I'll be a healthier, more active one!

I had WLS on 2/21/05. I have lost 142 lbs. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. However, now I wish I could have the plastics, but don't have the finances to do it. Insurance won't pay, unfortunately. If I never get to have the plastic surgeries, I am still glad to be where I am,,,,breathing easier, less joint pain, and non-hypertensive. :)

There are certain standards that must apply before your insurance will cover the needed after surgery...I recall a lot of them were mentioned here in this blog...but some insurance DOES cover this after care, especially if you're having problems...Check it out with your insurance!

I had gastric bypass surgery in March 2003. I lost 150 pounds. I have maintained my weight loss (yo-yo-ing ocassionally, during holidays, etc., within 10 pounds...always get it back under control). The issue with the loose skin is not great...HOWEVER...there are options, which I have not been able to commit to with my budget (kids in college, etc) but it is something I will consider in the future. In the meanwhile, this is my philosophy - When I was obese, I didn't look good in clothes, or when naked. NOW, I look good in clothes, but still don't look great naked! The trade off is worth it. I have much more energy, am more active, feel great, etc.

Do it! If you have depression and already hate yourself, you need to lose the weight. I was just like you. Every part of it. I just hadn't thought of the skin factor. I was 289 and am now 155. I lost just over 140lbs. when I had my surgery. I fluctuate between 134 and 165. I am somewhat stable closer to the 145-155 mark however. Quiting smoking made me gain a little more. I have been out 5 1/2 years. I was a person who went up and down in weight my whole life. I also had a son in my early 20's, that stretched out my stomach the most. I am now desperate to have a body lift and a breast job, meaning a lift and implants. I love my new body but I do need to have surgery to be totally happy. It is an issue you can live with. My skin is not as flabby as most but I can understand your concerns. Do workout that is the best thing you can do. You will be shocked how many people don't even notice your skin. I know some girls who've had it and they have much worse skin issues than me. They are 100% happier in their new bodies, and the skin if it's a lot is usually covered by health insurance. Good Luck!!!

I am currently scheduled for LapBand surgery on April 7th. I have to say this does make me a little nervous. I started out with 148 lbs to lose and have lost 40 to date. I have lost as much as 80 lbs before and didn't have that bad of an issue with saggy skin to that extent, but I am concerned. I have been heavy my whole life, and have yo-yoed for years, but have never been at an "ideal" weight. I anticipate needing a tummy tuck and having my breasts lifted because after two kids they both already look at the floor. Is there anyone on here that has lost a bunch of weight and didn't need the body lift? Does it make a difference what body type you are meaning apple, pear, hour glass? I would love some more info from your experiences... Maria

I, too, lost 165 pounds. And after almost two years post-op - I just had my first round of plastic surgery (arms and breasts) three weeks ago. I am 42 years old and though my life and health has improved 100 times after WLS, I just couldn't get comfortable "in my skin".... with all of the excess skin. My plastic surgeon told me that he's seen much worse but I tell ya, looking at myself without clothes was just sickening. And since I don't (and didn't have for the WLS either) have insurance, I was ready to go back to Colombia South America for the plastic surgery. I had my WLS down there and was completely satisfied and comfortable with my bariatric surgeon and being outside the U.S. After checking with a plastic surgeon down there, the cost was about one half of the cost here in the U.S., however, I would have had to be down there for three weeks for each procedure and I just couldn't do that with my job. In addition to financing the WLS, I'm now in debt for my arms and breasts. But I think I'm worth it! :o) I was considering the complete body lift but my plastic surgeon didn't recommend it. Also, he said most people are most concerned with their tummy's first but I wanted to start at the top and work my way down. I'm very pleased with my arms. I don't think my arms have ever been this size. I'm also very pleased with my breasts. I had breast reconstruction/augmentation due to the enormous amount of skin (prior to WLS, I was a 44DD), and I got saline implants since there was nothing left there BUT skin. Even though it's only been three weeks, I'm recovering well, went back to work after a week, and I know that once completely healed both my arms and breasts will look even better than they do now (and I think they look pretty darn good! lol). But for anyone who has not had WLS yet, and is afraid of the excess skin, PLEASE do not let that be the reason you choose not to have WLS. Believe me, it's worth it, even with the SKIN, to be happier, healthier and enjoying life. Yes, I DID have to hide the skin underneath my clothes (good panty girdles, push-up bras, etc).. but at least I was physically ABLE to do things that I had never been able to do before WLS. It's just something, emotionally, you have to learn to deal with. And I truly believe .... where there's a WILL, there will always be a way, even if it takes years to find the way. It's all worth it.

Hello all, I just want to add that I had WLS June 19, 2006 and almost at 2 yrs post I have lost 147 lbs. I can honestly say that I have a minimal amount of excess skin and they are on the breast and legs. No one else notices it but me and because my husband is so thrilled with my overall appearance his excitement has made me more comfortable with the skin that is there. My health is so much better. I have a real life now and I know the WLS was the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. I encourage those with major health problems to weigh the benefits of being a healthier you to the cosmetics of it. I know that if I don't ever have skin surgeries I will still have a much more exciting, healthy life than I did before WLS. Things have gone so well for me that my husband who is also a very strong candidate is about to have the surgery too.

chthompson,,, thanks for ur writing cause i have been trying to decide on wether to have the surgery.. i have some hanging skin now my arms mininal and well u know thigh area lol... being almost 39... I know i will probably never be able to have the plastic surgery but want this weight gone,,, i want RNY surgery... i am in the first steps though,,, so we will see what my PCP and surgeon say soon ...

I am going through the process of getting ready for the WLS, I have to do the sleep study, see the psychiarist and lose 39lbs before I can have the surgery. I had my mind made up to have the Lapband surgery because it was less invasive, but the doctor said that the gastric bypass was the best solution for me, i was somewhat disappointed but realized he was the doctor and knew what is best for me, but to tell you I'm very scared, I have read the comments about the the loose skin etc; but what fightens me the most is the dumping and being sick. My family is supporting me 100% I know I want this weight gone, this would be my dream come true. Why am I so afraid?

I had Gastric Bypass Surgery on March 27,2007. In October of 2007 I had a consultation for a A Tummy Tuck, I weighed 253 when I had the surgery and when I went for the consult I weighed about 165. I know you are suppose to wait until 18 mths post-op but I really only needed to lose about 15-20 mor pounds. I was blessed with the fact that I have had no extra skin other the the pouch I had from having babies that I had before I became overweight. I wanted to wait until my year anniversary but, when the office manager advised me that I could have the surgery at no cost at all if I do it by december 31, 2007 because I had already meet my detuctible and out of pocket, I jumped on it. It is 3 months later. I ahd the Tummy Tuck December 28, 2007. I currenlty weigh 150 pds, I need to lose about 15 more pds, I a 5'3. I look fantastic and I would do it all again. I can do some arm exercises and work on my inner thighs but, overall I look great for a 42 year old woman who has not been very physical. It has been a true blessing, all of our experiences have been different. I can wear anything from a size 10 to a size 6 depending on the designer. I was wearing 18-20 in womens. Don't limit your options get consults from different doctors and try your insurance, it may happen!!! To this date I have not paid a red cent for either suregery, I am not bragging, this was just a simple blessing and I am truly appreciative. Good luck and have faith. Jacqueline

I am out a year and a half.I lost 116 pounds,now I am holding in the 130's 132 right now.I was a 4 x(with a 52 inch waist apple shape) now a size eight.I excerised and changed my life and my attitude about food. I researched this RNY for 3 years before having the surgery.I KNEW from the other posts and pictures I would have hanging skin.I DID not care because I needed to regain my health and wellbeing. I am off of every medication(6 I used to take) I used to feel and look older and now I FEEL awsome and regained my health. I say ok yeah hanging skin...but now I can wipe my butt with ease and I am not waddling anymore. I am grateful for the wls it saved my life.So what If I have hanging skin. I know that in time I will get a tummy tuck and breast life but for now I still enjoy every single day! CArol