Question:
Have stopped loosing weight. Could it be excess skin?

I just hit 12 months post-op and have lost 128 pounds. I have an extreme amount of excessive skin and fat that I cannot loose no matter how much I exercise. Can this excess weight just be skin and fat that must be surgically removed? Any suggestions would be appreciated.    — dowens67 (posted on January 26, 2011)

January 26, 2011
I was in the same boat !! I was down 130 lbs and can't seem to lose any more. I'm thin (stick legs and forearms, and bones visible for the first time EVER in my chest and neck area) but.. I couldn't lose the fat in my stomach and back of my arms. I went to a plastic surgeon and we talked about the amount of excess skin I have. One thing I also didn't know (that he told me) was that once you are obese, your bones actually get "thicker" to support the weight you are carrying. So even though you might be "thin", you might be heavier (on the scale) than you think you should be. I had plastics on Dec 23rd (tummy tuck and breast lift and augmentation).. it's made a HUGE difference visibly but only about 8 lbs on the scale. I've decided that I don't really care what the scale says if i'm healthy, happy and look decent in clothes ! (as I said to him, I think i'd starve to death if I tried to support myself as a nude model). Best of luck !
   — KQinNC

January 26, 2011
Karen makes a good point about worrying about what the scales say. That's what I try to tell people who obsess on that final five pounds. I never had surgery. I figured my prospects of meeting George Clooney were pretty remote so why go through it?!
   — Muggs

January 26, 2011
May I make a suggestion to you? Go to your PCP and see what he/she says about your weight and plastic surgery. Also ask for a referral to a plastic surgeon. You could be at goal weight (minus the excess skin) and don't know it. Healthy, thin, and happy are the best things in life. Good Luck.
   — Kathleen W.

January 26, 2011
I started exercising as soon as I came home (I had numerous horses to feed) so now at nine months out, I have lost 130 pounds, I am within 12 pounds of my goal weight and do not have the skin problem at all (and I recently started doing Zumba) I think exercising while losing is very important
   — tfqh99

January 26, 2011
Karen: Was the surgery elective? I had surgery aug 2010 and have lost 190lbs. I am down to 120lbs. I can't be more happpy. However, I do have excess skin on the arms, legs and belly and need a boob lift too. the rest I can live with. But I can't afford to have the surgery. I would love to find someone who could do such a surgery without the high cost!
   — Lauren M.

January 27, 2011
I went to the dermotologist and she found a rash that could qualify my insurance, Kaiser to at least get me and appt with a plastic surgeron. The plastic dr could go either way. But plastic surgeron who spoke at the group at point west sacramento kaiser - said they give you one year to pay the cost of plastic surgery - $10,000-22,000. Who can afford that? I am 63 yrs and do not believe I would want the surgery because with clothes, I look pretty good at 148 lbs, but who knows what I will think when I get to goal of 136lbs. Good luck with your decision.
   — pcannedy

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