Being OK without PS

morgans
on 8/13/12 10:17 am
VSG on 06/18/12
I find it endlessly amusing that up until fairly recently I was the woman who was going to grow old gracefully and never get plastic surgery or Botox, etc.

Until the crows feet stopped disappearing by noon...

Yes - I now have the shrinkle waddle, and bat wings, and side boobs. I'm not sure how things will be below the belly button after another 50 pounds, but the upper body is most definitely going to get some work.

I have always looked at least 10 years younger than I am - usually more. People are shocked when they find out how old I am, but I think that gap is going to close since the fat keeps things plumped and smooth (so ironic, I know) and the fat is going away.

It's not so much that I need to look younger, I just don't know this greying woman looking back at me in the mirror every day.

       
sleevegirl
on 8/13/12 11:09 am - Austin, TX
While I think "get over it" is good advice for some, the reality is that most of us have mental issue with our food and bodies. It's why I freely admit that I'm in counseling and I'm proud of it.

I've lost 172 pounds. I'm sure you can imagine what that looks like. Or maybe not, but it's pretty rough. I have 25-50 more pounds to go depending on where I end up at.

I've accepted that I will have body issues. I did before. I do now. After plastics, I'm sure I will then hate the scars or something. It's part of who I am.

At this point, something will have to be done for me to function. It's pretty bad and hurts - both physically and emotionally.

Do what you need to do for you. If you need to seek a counselor, I cannot recommend it enough. I'm still working on me and will be for a very long time.

Only you can make it okay to live with the skin you have, if that's what you want/need to do. It's a very hard internal struggle that we all deal with.

You are not alone. HUGS.

Candy from Austin, TX  |   Website  |  MyFitnessPal  |  My OH Blog

5'6" / HW 375 / SW 355 / CW 150 / Maintaining 155-159 - Goal Reached! 225 Pounds Lost
  

Mom4Jazz
on 8/13/12 5:36 am, edited 8/13/12 5:37 am
It seems to honestly depend as  much on where you carried the weight as how much you lose. I hate my arms and legs - they are literally drapes of skin. I even have substantial loose skin on my forearms and calves. I'm the only person I know who has that.

But I never carried much weight on my gut, so I have wrinkles but only a teeny tiny less than an inch drape on my pani. A few drapes at the bottom of my butt. And a few where my back boobs were.

As a result, even though I've lost 176 lbs, I have no physical issues with the skin. Only cosmetic.

Highest weight: 335 lbs, BMI 50.9
Pre-op weight: 319 lbs, BMI 48.5
Current range: 140-144, BMI 21.3 - 22

175+ lbs lost, maintaining since February 2012

moonglo82
on 8/13/12 12:41 pm
VSG on 03/29/12
I have a little on my calves.  My calves have always been bigger, probably because I used to figure skate when I was younger, so I had lots and lots of muscle there at one point.  In fact, when I was 16 and a healthy weight, I couldn't wear most boots because even then my calves were too big because of that muscle.

I don't notice it when I'm standing, but boy is it visible when I'm sitting down with my legs crossed!

    
Highest weight: 277 Starting Weight: 250  Surgery Weight: 241  Current Weight: 130

Goal Reached in 10.5 months :)


 

sleevegirl
on 8/13/12 1:10 pm - Austin, TX
It's so interesting to see how people's bodies are so different! I have very little on my calves if I really look for it. I've always had nice lean calves though. I used to joke that I had chicken legs. I still do. LOL!

Candy from Austin, TX  |   Website  |  MyFitnessPal  |  My OH Blog

5'6" / HW 375 / SW 355 / CW 150 / Maintaining 155-159 - Goal Reached! 225 Pounds Lost
  

sleevegirl
on 8/13/12 1:09 pm - Austin, TX
I definitely wish I could say the same. Although... I dunno, right? It's no good either way. For me, it's mostly in my gut. It's large, hanging and it's uncomfortable. I wouldn't change a SINGLE thing about it, but it's something I know will have to be addressed. My calves look great. With the exception of my upper thighs, they look great. My arms need work and my boobs do too. My butt isn't horrible. It's my tummy. Size 34 was my starting and I'm still in a 20 now because of it. I hope to end up in a 16 when I'm at 175, but I honestly don't know. There's a lot there to deal with.

It is what it is though. You are doing so awesome, mom! I am so proud for you!

Candy from Austin, TX  |   Website  |  MyFitnessPal  |  My OH Blog

5'6" / HW 375 / SW 355 / CW 150 / Maintaining 155-159 - Goal Reached! 225 Pounds Lost
  

Mom4Jazz
on 8/13/12 12:33 pm
I go out and hike 15 miles - or bike 45. Puts the whole thing into perspective.

Seriously, my arms and legs are the worst because that's where I carried my weight. I wear elbow or 3/4 sleeves (they are available in REALLY lightweight fabrics) and Bermuda shorts. I honestly don't think the loose skin is any uglier than the lumps, bumps and bulges were and at least I look fabulous in clothes.

Highest weight: 335 lbs, BMI 50.9
Pre-op weight: 319 lbs, BMI 48.5
Current range: 140-144, BMI 21.3 - 22

175+ lbs lost, maintaining since February 2012

moonglo82
on 8/13/12 12:46 pm
VSG on 03/29/12
Honestly, I'm coming to accept the fact that I'm going to need compression garments. I already wear them when I'm wearing something that's the next size down. If I'm wearing something a little looser, it's not as necessary, but still.

I have a long time to go before I can consider plastics. I plan to try to get pregnant as soon as I'm cleared to do so, and I just don't see plastics being a reality at least until I'm finished with that.

This is embarrassing, but the worst place for me for loose skin is under my arms, near my chest. I refer to the issue it creates when I bra shop as "quad boobs" because I have excess skin poking out of the sides of my bra. No side-slimming on the planet has helped yet. Grrr.

    
Highest weight: 277 Starting Weight: 250  Surgery Weight: 241  Current Weight: 130

Goal Reached in 10.5 months :)


 

sleevegirl
on 8/13/12 1:11 pm - Austin, TX
YES! I have the weird side boob skin too. It's FREAKISH and no bra has helped... sports bra... nothing, it just won't be contained. LOL!

Candy from Austin, TX  |   Website  |  MyFitnessPal  |  My OH Blog

5'6" / HW 375 / SW 355 / CW 150 / Maintaining 155-159 - Goal Reached! 225 Pounds Lost
  

morgans
on 8/13/12 1:23 pm
VSG on 06/18/12
I've got quad boobs too! I had a breast reduction a few years ago and because my insurance paid for it I couldn't get a little liposuction and nip/tuck in that area at the same time.

That will be going on the PS list for sure. It was HORRIBLE bra shopping over the weekend.
       
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