Body Image-Yuck!
I have been struggling wih my body image lately. I have lost almost all of my weight I set out to lose, however I am not happy with what I have been left with! I don't know if it is depression or what?? I attemped to get plastic surgery however the insurance declined my first attempt, they told me to go to the doctor document back pain, rashes, etc... and try back in 5 months. I work out everyday, and I can not get rid of this skin! If I can continue to workout and do toning will I ever get rid of it without plastic surgery? Just bummed and not happy lately!
Unfortunately, there's really no workout in the world that can minimize excess skin. Skin is an organ, not a muscle, so you can't work it off.
You can work the muscles under the skin and help build them up a little, which will improve your overall shape. But your skin isn't connected to your muscles, it's connected to fascia and fat, so there's really not much else you can do in the gym.
Depending on how young you are, how much skin you have, and how long you were overweight, it might shrink back if given enough time, but it's not guaranteed.
You can work the muscles under the skin and help build them up a little, which will improve your overall shape. But your skin isn't connected to your muscles, it's connected to fascia and fat, so there's really not much else you can do in the gym.
Depending on how young you are, how much skin you have, and how long you were overweight, it might shrink back if given enough time, but it's not guaranteed.
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Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..
Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..
^ This reply really sounds super depressing, I'm sorry.
What I should add is that 285lbs isn't enormous, as far as bariatrics goes. If you don't have health issues from the skin, chances are good it probably isn't nearly as bad as how you see it. We are ALL our own worst critics, and when we look in the mirror, the eye is automatically drawn to everything we hate.
But when other people see you, they probably just see your lovely figure, your pretty smile, and your cheerful attitude. And skin? What skin?
It's hard to learn to love a body in which you've been uncomfortable for so long. But it's the only one you have, and you've worked hard and made a lot of sacrifices for that excess skin. Might as well embrace it as the symbol of your achievement until you can figure out what you will/can do about it. :) Cheers!
What I should add is that 285lbs isn't enormous, as far as bariatrics goes. If you don't have health issues from the skin, chances are good it probably isn't nearly as bad as how you see it. We are ALL our own worst critics, and when we look in the mirror, the eye is automatically drawn to everything we hate.
But when other people see you, they probably just see your lovely figure, your pretty smile, and your cheerful attitude. And skin? What skin?
It's hard to learn to love a body in which you've been uncomfortable for so long. But it's the only one you have, and you've worked hard and made a lot of sacrifices for that excess skin. Might as well embrace it as the symbol of your achievement until you can figure out what you will/can do about it. :) Cheers!
_._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._.
Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..
Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..
Congratulations on your amazing weight loss!
The bad news is that working out won't get rid of the skin. I don't know if you will ever get insurance approval for plastic surgery. Many people never do.
The good news is that you can see this as an opportunity to do something extraordinary for yourself. If you want plastics, you can take it upon yourself to raise the money. It may seem like an overwhelming task right now, but it is totally doable. You can also research ways to have a lower cost surgery.
I know this, because I was a debt-free self-pay for the WLS itself. My husband and I have had significant financial problems during the last couple of years, some of them brought on by my medical problems. I dug myself out of a deep hole and created a plan that would allow me to pay for this surgery. I found a lower cost surgery option with impeccable credentials.
I know this, because a dear friend of mine had sexual reassignment surgery in 2006, despite the fact that she had been unemployed for several years. She raised the money doing odd-jobs, selling things, and making the most of her limited resources. She was able to afford the surgery, because she went to Thailand. Her research paid off. She had maybe the best outcome of any sex change I've ever seen (and I have many transgendered friends--don't know why, just do). She also incurred no debt in the process.
I don't know what it's going to take for you to get this done, but in order to do it, you have to make it a priority. Maybe you have kids that have to be a priority now or if you have other important priorities, but honestly, given how you feel about yourself, I think it could be argued that this need of yours might be a key to obtaining the rest of your dream list.
The real question is whether what I've just said is true. Is this issue with your self image because of the excess skin or is there something else? I'm taking you at your word that it's the excess skin, but a therapist could probably give you the peace of mind that (1) the excess skin is the problem; (2) plastic surgery will enhance your self-image; and (3) that you are not wrong to make this need a priority.
The bad news is that working out won't get rid of the skin. I don't know if you will ever get insurance approval for plastic surgery. Many people never do.
The good news is that you can see this as an opportunity to do something extraordinary for yourself. If you want plastics, you can take it upon yourself to raise the money. It may seem like an overwhelming task right now, but it is totally doable. You can also research ways to have a lower cost surgery.
I know this, because I was a debt-free self-pay for the WLS itself. My husband and I have had significant financial problems during the last couple of years, some of them brought on by my medical problems. I dug myself out of a deep hole and created a plan that would allow me to pay for this surgery. I found a lower cost surgery option with impeccable credentials.
I know this, because a dear friend of mine had sexual reassignment surgery in 2006, despite the fact that she had been unemployed for several years. She raised the money doing odd-jobs, selling things, and making the most of her limited resources. She was able to afford the surgery, because she went to Thailand. Her research paid off. She had maybe the best outcome of any sex change I've ever seen (and I have many transgendered friends--don't know why, just do). She also incurred no debt in the process.
I don't know what it's going to take for you to get this done, but in order to do it, you have to make it a priority. Maybe you have kids that have to be a priority now or if you have other important priorities, but honestly, given how you feel about yourself, I think it could be argued that this need of yours might be a key to obtaining the rest of your dream list.
The real question is whether what I've just said is true. Is this issue with your self image because of the excess skin or is there something else? I'm taking you at your word that it's the excess skin, but a therapist could probably give you the peace of mind that (1) the excess skin is the problem; (2) plastic surgery will enhance your self-image; and (3) that you are not wrong to make this need a priority.
For working out I just picked up compression gear.
As far as the skin, give it some time. I went from 276 and am now 150 ish and am 5' 7". It is slowly looking better. I won't ever look like a swim suit model but it's not bad. I know that it can get you down, I totally get that. I decided against plastics until they make a pain med that I can use post op that won't ping my addiction issues and I'll still be self pay at that point.
Swimming is a great way to fine tune the muscles underneath and if you can find a womans water aerobics class (check with your local retirement communities-they often offer their residents something like this and will let you in on it with a small fee) if you are self conscious.
It gets better, I swear it does.
As far as the skin, give it some time. I went from 276 and am now 150 ish and am 5' 7". It is slowly looking better. I won't ever look like a swim suit model but it's not bad. I know that it can get you down, I totally get that. I decided against plastics until they make a pain med that I can use post op that won't ping my addiction issues and I'll still be self pay at that point.
Swimming is a great way to fine tune the muscles underneath and if you can find a womans water aerobics class (check with your local retirement communities-they often offer their residents something like this and will let you in on it with a small fee) if you are self conscious.
It gets better, I swear it does.
Carol
SW/276 CW 150 GW 185
9 Years out.
SW/276 CW 150 GW 185
9 Years out.
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