Question:
Sagging skin at it's worst, about 6 mos out?
My surgeon's assistant told me the sagging skin is at it's worst about 6 months after surgery. The skin hasn't had a chance to adapt to the rapid wieght loss and will slowly begin to tighten up after that. Any of you 6mo+ post-ops found that to be the case? I'm 6mo post-op, 46yo, 348/268/150 and thrilled with my progress, but the bat wings and upper thighs are so bad. I'm hoping they'll tighten up (at least a little) SOON. — Teri M. (posted on December 14, 2003)
December 14, 2003
I WISH your surgeon's assistance was correct! Maybe for light-weights who
only have 100 to lose that may be true, but my skin gets saggier with every
5 lbs. I lose. I'm 17 months out and down 206 pounds.
— [Deactivated Member]
December 14, 2003
Well, I am considered a lightweight----at least I think I am. I started
at 248 the day of surgery 10 months ago, and was 255 at my consult a year
ago. I am 5'7" and 46 years old. I would beg to differ with the
info you were given. I was kinda able to live with my extra skin for the
first 75-80 pounds, knowing that I was going to try my best to get a TT
next summer. After that, the arms and legs really began to bug me too.
My upper thighs are pretty yukky, and I will never wear short shorts or a
swimsuit w/o a skirt. My stomach looks like a pile of bread dough just
sitting on my lap. I can live with my arms, wearing things with close arm
holes. I still intend to get the TT and will live with the rest, but, boy
if I had unlimited funds I'd get everything lifted back where it should
be!!! Let me tell you though, I am now a size 8, deown from a 24,
weighing 139.5 pounds, and I'd rather live with the skin then return to the
way I was before surgery, without question. Good luck!!
— Fixnmyself
December 14, 2003
You were given wrong info. I started out at 228 ten months ago when i had
surgery. i am 56. Sagginb everywhere. No bat wings because my arms
weren't that big. But I can tell you right now, I am as wrinkled on my
arms and upper thighs as an old prune. I will never be able to wear
sleeveless tops or shorts again. I am sure it is not like the gals who
have more than me to lose but it is BADDDDDD. This type of skin does not
"tighten" up. The elasticity is gone. Not to be rude, but i am
just amazed how little some surgical people know assistants, nurses and the
like. Meanwhile dear, don't hold your breath waiting for your skin to
tighten up. Age has a lot to do with it.
— Delores S.
December 14, 2003
My skin got worse after 6 months and the sucky part is my stomach is
wrinkly but probrably not bad enough to qualify for a tuck and it really
affects my self image and my arms and leggs are worse. I can't wear shorts
anymore and I am not vain! I wore them at 354 but can't at 175. Leggs look
hideous. Arms are icky to and most short sleeve tops don't hide them. I
hate summer outfits now. It's winter and I feel pretty good in my pants and
long sleeves because they hide a lot. I can't afford plastic surgery but I
sure would get it all fixed if I could.
— Carrie D.
December 14, 2003
Boy, I can relate to what Carrie said!! I am 11 months out and my body is
down right SCARY!! I felt more confident in shorts and a bathing suit
before my 125 lb. loss. I'm loving winter with the jeans and sweaters. I
couldn't wear sweaters before because I would ge to hot, and now I love the
sweaters. I guess you can't have everything!! I have NO regrets, but I
will definitely be having some plastic surgery. I just can't bear the
though of not being able to wear short sleeves or shorts without looking
like a wrinkled prune!
— Kathy S.
December 14, 2003
I wish it were true!!! I am almost a year out and down 127 pounds, at goal
and below. My skin is very saggy around my knees, thighs, butt and arms.
Not pretty at all naked. The only way to make it better would be to have
plastics done! Too bad to loose all this weight and still feel like I
can't wear shorts, a bathing suit or sleeveless shirts! Oh well, I look
great with my clothes on!!! 252/125
— sherry H.
December 14, 2003
I am not quite 6 mos. out yet, but the sagging skin is very ugly. I have
lost 121# already and my body looks worse than any prune I've ever seen. My
behind looks like that of a 95 year old. GROSS!!! I would never go back to
my previous weight even tho I have the saggy skin, I can deal with that,
even if my husband wont touch me now! It's his loss because I am a
beautiful person, inside and now out.
— Jerry W.
December 14, 2003
Interesting theory. I didn't have bad sagging skin until I got near goal
and then shot past it. I have weighed the same for about six months now,
and I've noticed the skin has tightened up considerably. I was exercising
and lifting weights the whole time, so I can only conclude that, in my
case, my skin needed a period of time with no more weight loss (staying at
the same weight) to start tightening up on its own. I don't look as gaunt
as I did before, either.<P>Having said that, I still plan on
plastics, someday, because it's obvious that after losing 140 lbs., it's
not *all* gonna tighten up on its own.
— Suzy C.
December 14, 2003
My skin got MUCH saggier and baggier the more weight I lost. It didn't
tighten up until AFTER I'd had plastic surgery.
— Patty H.
December 15, 2003
The skin should really tighten AS you lose weight. Think of the skin as a
spring (elastin, the protein responsible for elasticity and stretchiness is
actually like a spring) It will spring back to its original shape as soon
as you release pressure on it (or lose weight.) If it has been
"sprung" or stretched too much or for too long, it does not act
like a spring anymore...but more like a wire or a sheet..not too stretchy.
Exercise that tightens muscles can help a BIT in areas like the buttocks
and inner thighs where the skin is attached closely to the muscle.
— DrL
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