*flap**flap* waddle, waddle *flap**flap* PS please???

The PS question made me want to ask this ... anyone else having a "flapping" problem??? Like ... if I "flap" my arms in a breeze now I could probably fly (batwing skin hanging down under upper arms ) or if I walk too fast in a nightgown (or dress) my legs go "flap, flap, flap" to such a degree my daughter says "MOM ... SLOW DOWN!!! YOU'RE FLAPPING AGAIN!!!! GEEZ!!!" and rolls her at me ... ANYONE??? I'm truly considering buying my first ever "foundation garment" (or maybe I'll get out the duct-tape ) to hold up some of this skin ... who'd-a-thunk I'd be buying my first long-legged girdle at 56 years old???!! Sorry if this is embarrassing to anyone (gentlemen) ... but I'm really ending up with scads of skin hanging, and it's beginning to become very troublesome. Being Medicare/Disability I'm thinking I'll have a real fight on my hands to get some of it removed (my legs), and I've been making sure my PCP/Surgeon/GYN all document the situation. Anyone have any input on Medicare PS coverage? If so, I'd appreciate hearing!! Myra G

Myra, Your not alone!! I also have more skin then I thought I would! I had myself convinced that my skin would shrink more then it is!! I know that if I move too fast that my arms flap and slap against me and sounds disgusting! My thighs flap and slap too.. My poor thighs look like a shar-pei now. I have rolls of skin that just hangs! Its not a pretty sight! and its not a sounds I enjoy hearing when all my rolls and skin start flapping and slapping!! I bought a girdle type thing to help hold my stomache up some because of rashes and sores. Under my belly roll is always sore, red, and if Im not careful it gets bloody. My PCP has documented and took some graphic pictures of it for my insur company.. But he suggested that I find something to help hold the skin up some or Im going to end up with bad infections, scars, and other problems. My insur company will pay for the skin removal once Im a year out or if I make goal and maintain for 3 months. But until then Im stuck.. If anyone has suggestions about how to deal with the skin please share!! I think we all could use whatever help we can get with that issue! Amber

oh yes, myra, i know EXACTLY what you're talking about! i actually get "slapping" noises from my arms when the skin gets to moving around! it can be quite embarrassing. i've thought about the duct-tape idea, too! the skin just hangs everywhere, and can certainly be uncomfortable...i sometimes have to "position" it to be able to sit comfortably. i have no info about PS coverage...just wanted you to know that you're NOT alone in this problem. years ago i lost a significant amount of weight, and was so appalled by the skin, i used it as an excuse to regain all i'd lost, plus more, of course. i just felt like such a freak, i decided if i was gonna be a freak, i might as well be eating. that's one of the things that i really appreciate about the message boards here at OH...i know now that i'm not the only person in the world with these issues! i appreciate having company! best to you! deb -238

Hey myra. I know how you feel myra. Im not far enough out for the noises yet but sure know about the skin looking funky. The tops of my legs look like an acordian and the front of my stomach looks like I have a crack lol.... Talk about thongs, I wouldnt know which way to wear them, front or back lol.... But im sure no thong days ahead for me anyway lol... I used to waddle like a duck from the weight now I guess ill make noises like one now with the flapping. Thats something to look forward to huh? Lol take care and hang

Haha ... Margaret!!! I relate to the "belly crack" and my bellybutton has disappeared(!) ... it's there if I grab hold of the skin and pull it up (now there's an experience I never thought I'd have ... I do feel like a Sharpei ... I can grab my skin at the waist and "lift" my whole bottom torso! And yeah ... you'll stop waddling because of the weight and then start waddling again because of the skin ... I had a local physician (went to grade school with him) tell me that Missouri State University has a "free" program wherein PS is done as long as you "donate" the removed skin and I'm going to look into that if I can't get Medicare coverage and there's no choices left. I'm all for donating it (if it's good for anything ... I guess skin grafts), but I'm not so sure that wouldn't be in a sort of teaching situation with a "student surgeon" operating and that doesn't sound all that great to me. I know they'd be supervised but I'd still have misgivings I think :cringe: Myra

Myra, I'm definitely with you on this one...drives me crazy! Sometimes it is hard to feel thin with all this extra skin! I know my insurance doesn't cover PS. Lori

i'm in the flipn flapn group, too. and add to that, please, the fact that i'm HOPPING around. i swear i can hear the bottom of my thigh hit the top of my calf. also, since someone brought up rearranging parts. if i want to use my crutches, which i really hate doing, i have to mift and move my upper arms (wings) and then hope and pray that the extra skin doesn't roll in a direction which will allow the crutch to slip out. YIKES. enough of that. i get to go back to work tomorrow wish me luck on my driving - the right foot is the one in the cast. hope everyone has a great week. and thank you, one and all, for all the moral support during this past difficult week. hugs dorthe

I am getting there I dont think my belly is going to be a problem well so far so good but my arms now that is a diff story I can pull the skin all the way around and almost put my arm pit on my shoulder lol I work my legs out a lot and the sikn is not hanging much lets hope that stays that way 150something down hope my arms are the only thing that hangs now the twins have always gone south lol seems like they are getting smaller god lets hope but I do get rashes under my tummy and under the twins use powder they have a new one for babys that is a liq. and turns to powder that was easier to use it did not fall out before the skin fell hope this helps shelley