Extra skin issues??

 Okay, I am about a month out before my surgery. I am getting really nervous reading stories (mainly in facebook groups) about people having lower self esteem than they did being morbidly obese- by having so much extra skin. I know it is definately the individual- how much they need to lose, how young they are, etc. ... but I am getting real nervous too. Is there anyone who had about 120 lbs to lose and didn't have alot of hanging skin?? OR, how is everyone dealing with it? I am all for tummy tucks and all...but I was curious if that was a definate thing most of us will have to do. 
Thanks for your Thoughts- 
Kris

The amount of skin you have left over is based off of several factors, not everyone will have an extreme amount of excess skin. Things to consider are age, length of time you were morbidly obese, the extent of your obesity, the elasticity of your skin, the distribution of weight, and genetics. All of those things can influence the amount of skin left over. I wouldn't worry about it too much, there are always shaping undergarments and tummy tucks.

 Thanks Hannan- very true, I shouldn't worry, guess I am just getting nervous and (possibly overthinking things) as surgery gets closer.

I had to lose a good 150 lbs or more. I have reached my goal and are a size 6 to 8. I do feel slightly insecure sometimes with my skin but it's really not bad! I have some dangling skin on my upper arms, some slight bunching on my stomach and inner thighs. BUT when I wear clothes NONE of this can be noticed! If you look at my profile I think you can see my last Forum post, I'll also try to post new photos asap but the excess skin is NOT noticable! I am 26 and, like I said, I had to lose 150 lbs and want to lose more. I plan on eventually getting a lift, arm and the others "tucked" but it's not something I'm racing to do. Don't worry. When you are buying tiny clothes having to wear a cami or light sweater will not bother you. This is a great decision you made and you will do great! Don't worry =)

 I think my arms look great..but I carried most of my weight in my stomach..so far I don't think the excess skin on my stomach is horrible. My thighs I think look horrible..I refuse to wear a swimsuit without shorts on at this point. We will see how everything looks when I'm done losing.

I started at 314 and I am now 196. I have some extra skin on my upper arms and on my stomach. I have a much smaller pannus that I thought I would.

I find I don't care in the least. I physically feel so much better than I did when my extra skin was pulled taut by all my fat. I thought I would find the extra skin bothersome. I don't. I wear tank tops in public and shorts too. I will not wear a bikini, but that's more a public service since I have loads of stretch marks from two pregnancies.

I do have a lot of extra skin and probably will have more by the time I get to goal.  Not real happy with it at the same time it doesn't affect my self esteem.  I didn't look like a model prior to surgery and I don't now.  That's ok - I FEEL so much better. Saggy skin doesn't look any worse than skin filled with extra stored energy .  I really went into the surgery with the expectation to improve my health versus to look better.  I do have some health issues with the extra skin so eventually I will get it removed but I don't want to do that twice so I'm waiting until I stabalize.

 Love this article:

http://paleoparents.com/featured/what-losing-135lbs-looks-li ke/ 

Please read it.

"If laugh lines represent joy, than my extra skin represents wellness."

I don't always love it, but I would rather have the skin and be free, than be fat and feel myself slowly dying, locked up inside my own body.

My highest weight was 285 lbs.  I am now 147 lbs.  I'm 59 years old and the elasticity in my skin is long gone.  My body is a saggy mess - oh, yes, it is.  But I've decided to accept myself because I certainly can't afford to fund a full body lift. 

So this summer, for the first time in 20 years, I actually wore a bathing suit, shorts and tank tops.   I found I enjoyed the 'freedom' of a bathing suit and lighter clothesand I didn't fixate on the saggy arms and upper thighs. You know what?  Nobody seemed to notice my wrinkly skin and I got compliments on how good I looked in a bathing suit!   I think my attitude of self-acceptance trumped my saggy, baggy body!!

Don't worry about it now...wait and see what happens down the line.

i was told by some people that they had lifted weights at the gym and it helped to avoid having excess skin.. i started 2 months after surgery lifting weights, i havent seen anything yet i just started lifting weights last week.. good luck to you