new to grad board and ? about skin issues

Hi all - I guess I can be counted as a grad now, because I have reached goal ten months post op.   I have very little fat left, but lots of saggy skin!  I look like a 90-year-old   I am not sure if I want to, nor can afford, plastic surgery, although my insurance IS supposed to cover just the TT.   My arms are my biggest concern, because it is harder to disguise them than other body parts.  They are nice and small, and I don't have large bat wings, but I have wrinkles and crepey skin, and I feel like a great-grandma at age 46.  Has anybody experienced any skin rebound post-op?   I have been doing some weight training, but it does not seem to help the skin at all.   Not even get me started on the status of the girls or the shar pei thighs! Thanks, Julie

I did experience some skin rebound between years one and two and its why I postponed my plastics until two years post op. I am presently cursing a 10lb weight gain, but have to say that my arms, legs and face all look better with a bit more meat on them!   Kim

I completely understand! My arms sound about like yours~not terrible, but still that wrinkly skin. Mine have gotten slightly better over time, especially since adding a really good free weight arm work out a couple of times a week. Being tan also helps tremendously! My friend told me at the beginning of this summer that my arms look better than last year~I can't see it, but I guess maybe a little time and work does help somewhat. I can say there's no help for my chest, LOL! Definitely the hardest hit area! I just invest in REALLY good bras so with clothes on I look fine. Congrats to you on all of your success!

Thanks, Tracy: In looking at your pics, your arms don't look bad at all!  I know about the sun tan.   As a DS'er, I tend to be a tad low on vitamin D, and my excuse for fifteen minutes of tanning a day is to get that D into my system.   The nutritionist also told me that drinking lots of water can benefit skin rebound too, so I'm making sure I get that.  You know, my fiance' doesn't complain about my skin issues or the girls at all - he keeps telling me I'm fine - it's just me that hates how it looks. Thanks for your response!

My  husband feels the same way~he isn't bothered by it at all. I guess it's just the pressure we put on ourselves. I try to remind myself that I abused my body all the way up to 328lbs so I will  never be perfect (is anyone ever really perfect???) and although ps could make me look a  better, I don't know that its worth the pain for the price for me. If I had any major issues I'd definitely do plastics, but I feel most of my issues are minor ones so I  need to learn to be more accepting of myself! Have a great day and hope to see you around the Grad's board often!

HEY JULIE,                 WELCOME TO THE GRAD BOARD. I DONT POST VERY OFTEN BUT ALWAYS READ IT... THE WLS SURGERY WAS ONE THING BUT THE SKIN IS A WHOLE WHOLE NOTHER SITUATION ALL TOGETHER HERE. LOL... I HAVE PLACES THAT SAG AND HANG THAT DIDNT EVEN KNOW COULD SAG. IM 46 AND ALSO LOOK LIKE A WRINKLED UP OLD LADY OR ONE OF THEM DOGS THAT ARE LIKE THAT LOL.... I WILL BE 18 MONTHS OUT NEXT MONTH AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A PLASTIC SURGEON FOR AUGUST. I DONT KNOW IF THEY WILL DO IT WITH INSURANCE. AND IF NOT IT SURELY WONT GET DONE BUT HEY, CANT HURT HUH? I STILL WILL TAKE THE SKIN OVER THE HUGE BODY I TOTED AROUND ALL MY LIFE THOUGH. I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS SO HUBBY JUST TRADED IN ONE BLIMPY WIFE FOR AN INFLATED ONE LOL.... HANG IN THERE..... HUGS MARGE

I have been doing light weight lifting since about 4-4 months post op 3-4 times a week.  My arms and legs are not horrible compared to some other people.  I think the eighs have helped some.  I can get away with wearing sleeveless tops and regular lenth shorts.  I carried most of my weight in the middle.  I am having a lower body lift done at the end of July.  I would like the girls uplifted where they belong.  I have a hard time wearing a bathing suit.  There are so many tops and dresses I would like to wear but I can't because of my breasts.  Plastic surgery is a personal choice to have done.  I am still much happier with the way I am now than I was 19 months ago.  I feel I want my weighloss journey to end with a final product that I can except. Good Luck Janet

Hi Julie,  I fully intend on having my excess skin removed and every thing lifted. I can't imagine living with it for the next forty years. It is fairly uncomfortable the way my excess skin feels when I am sitting or laying in bed and I know that others have it worse than me. My surgeon told me that the skin simply has lost its elasticity and will never go back, no matter how much I exercise. I am currently researching PS in Thailand. I have a friend in the medical tourism biz. So far I have found the surgery will cost me 1/4 to 1/8 the cost of PS in the U.S. The hospitals and doctors are very highly rated and I can heal up at a spa. My friend is pricing out everything for me but from my initial research: arms - $2200; breasts - $2500; LBL $8000-12,000. The prices include everything - hospital, surgeon, etc - no hidden costs. I am not rich but I have some resources and for me it is worth it. I am interested to find out the number my friend comes up with. Christine 

I get a kick out of that term medical tourism, LOL.  I was just talking to my neighbor and his grandson is teaching in Thailand and said the beaches there are incredible.   I'm curious to know what the total cost your friend comes up with - if you remember, drop me a line! thanks Julie