I HAVE A QUESTION????

Has everyone or anyone who weight well over 300lbs and lost weight have to have plastic surgery of some type to remove excess skin? These is what worries me the most. That my skin will be hanging all over me and I will look awfully nake once I have went through everything to gain my life back with wls, to end up begin shame of how my body looks after wls. I do not want that kind of reminder of where I have come from (meaning lose over 200+lbs)to have another depressing thing to live with. Those of you who did not have additional surgeries what did you do to get the skin not to hang. As I'm waiting for Sept 1 to see my surgeron and hopefully get a wls date for the end of Sept or mid OCt. I am already loosing weight but I see my thighs begin to sag more and my breast and arms. I workout every day at the YMCA but not doing the same execise daily. I rotate from Cardio to restance training for my upper arms, abs, that sort of things. But I am still SCARED could someone Thanks Denise

Hi Denise, I, personally am pre-op but i have a friend who weighed 303 pounds last july 27th(04) when she got her WLS. After one year she now weighs 135 and has very minimal extra skin. She is 47 years old so she's not a young thing with firm skin to start with. Her one problem area is her upper arms. Sometimes I think your genes play a big part in how much sagging you'll have. Hope this helps.....and Good Luck on your WLS journey.

Thanks for the information. I am just glad to know that everyone does not seem to have plastic surgery always. I was very firm and in shape prior to gaining weight. Even though it has been 18yrs of being overweight, I was not morbidly obese the entire time. I still was very activity until about 6 or 7 yrs ago then slowly things started slowing down. I am being very motivated now by joining the YMCA and going at least 3 to 4 times a day. I am very serious about gain control of my life and especially my health now. Thanks again for your response.

Hi Denise, The good news is that some people have amazing skin that snaps right back into place. The bad news is that some people don't. Reality is most people fall somewhere inbetween. For me my arms and thighs are pretty decent. But my midsection is a warzone. It looks like liquid breaddough. I'm very proud of my loss, but the hanging skin is something to contend with. Please believe me when I say, even on the tough days, it is much preferable to be thin with hanging skin, than when I was fat and miserable. There's really no tricks. Its mostly genetic. A bit to do with age, and a lot of just flat out luck. Also know that it can take 6 months or more after you get to your goal for your skin to be done shifting back into place. Good luck, ~Lara -212@goal

Wow!!! you have done exceptionally well with your weight lost......lost 212lbs that is great and only a little problem with your stomach area. That is amazing how fast you lost the weight. I read your profile. Did you do any type of exercise? You have been able to maintain the weight lost with no problems that is very promising. Thanks You are a special kind of hero in my book. When I read peoples profile and see what they have accomplished. It will inspires me to continue to with goals. I have always been some of an achiever in whatever I set my mind to do something I will not stop until I have achieve my goal. There have been only a few times when I was not able to gain my objective but you can rest assure I put up a great fight. It was differently out of my control. That is why at 43yrs old I am not about to let this bet me anymore. I have had my pitty parties long enough now it is my LIFE that I AM FIGHTING TO GET BACK. Thanks for telling your story it help me and others a lot to stay focus. Denise

I did walking for 30 minutes every day - no exceptions, no excuses. Not even continuous - usually 2 15 minute walks. It can make all the difference. I have flirted with biking, and treadmills, and cross trainer machines - but nothing was as regular as my walking. Once I hit goal, I am now training to become a runner. I am working towards running a 10 mile run in October. Tomorrow I run 5.5 miles for the first time and I'm SO EXCITED! Losing is all about how well you follow the rules. Maintaining is all about how well you've done at incorporating the rules into your way of life, how ready you are emotionally to be thin/healthy, and daily exercise (the E word). For me if I want to enjoy eating then I have to enjoy exercising. Its that simple. Life is SO worth living - get yours back lady - because it feels so good just to wake up, put on some sneakers and get out there in the sunshine and run. or Bike, or Rollerblade, or go shopping (- walking is walking right?). I'm wishing you the best lady. Big hugs, ~Lara

Thanks again Lara my. As stated before I have already become geared to exercise with no exceptions. I am so determine to get my life back and better than it was ever before. Thanks for the tip.....walking is excellent form of exercise but I must include the weights. I have always love lifting and body building and it is a extreme part of me as is walking. I have disabilities that slow me down from walking as I am a custom too. But never the less....I don't let it stop me anymore. I do what I can when I can. I do a like of running in the water and walking in the water and those of you that might have joint pain and problems I promise you that it is the best workout ever. You can move in water like you can never move on land with very little pain in water but, you will feel it when you get out. Try it sometime. Walk from one side to the others lap style and see the difference. I love it....it really works for me. Denise

Denise, I guess it depends on a number of variables. Genetics, age, how long you have been obese, and keep in mind if your skin hangs now it will only hang more so afterwards. I have a ton of hanging skin (-221), I have been obese my entire teen and adult life. I workout 7 days a week after surgery...before surgery my greatest excercise was putting food into my mouth. Even with the sagging skin I would have this surgery again in a heartbeat. Any access skin can be removed and/or tucked. hugs, Mary 415/194/-221