Anyone out there who didn't need surgery?

[Teresa'sTurn 15]

I am waiting for insurance approval to get my lap band. Hope to hear something in the next week or so and get my band in late July. I have been reading so much about ps after wls and wondered if there is any chance that I won't have to have it.

I have been overweight for 15 years but in HS played BB and was on Swim Team and was is decent shape. My kids are adopted so my stomach muscles have never been stretched out. Since the weightloss is so slow I wondered if there is any chance the skin will have a chance to tighten on its own. My best friend had a TT after 5 kids and she isnt sure that the flat tummy was worth the pain and recovery. It has been a year and a half since her surgery.

So, am I just a dreamer or is there a chance for no PS?!?!

Teresa

[Alexandra 55]

Teresa, the "need" for plastic surgery is purely subjective. From what I've seen with bandsters, the kind of significant medical problems caused by loose skin that you see in RNY patients just doesn't seem to happen, and so the plastic surgery tends to be cosmetic. If you don't think you need it, you don't!

It's entirely a matter of your personal genetics and age, too. I've lost 130 lbs, had two kids, am in my mid-40s and was obese all of my life, but I don't think I "need" plastic surgery. A surgeon might disagree, of course, but I'm happy where I am. You may very likely be too when you get where you're going.

[lianna 3]

I had a consult this past weekend. I am still 40 lbs from goal, but wanted to get an idea of what I might need at goal and what it will cost! I have also never had children and was very fit until mid 20s....the Surgeon said that I would not require a full abdominoplasty, the ab wall muscles are in great shape. He said he would only have to do the "mini" tuck which is just the removal of the loose skin and fatty roll above the pubic area. It is a much more simple procedure and has an easier recovery. He said he preferred that I be "at or within 10 lbs of ideal weight". This would be purely cosmetic, I have some diagonal stretch marks under my belly button (sorta like this, lol */// about 2-3 inches long each) and know the skin will never return to flat OR tight. It really depends on your particular build, amount skin has been stretched out, how overweight you have been and for how long, genetics, etc.... whether you will think you require anything done.

[Teresa'sTurn 15]

Thanks for the reply's! I guess I will just wait and see till I get there!!! Wish me luck!

Teresa

[lisah25 3]

I was told by my surgeon's office that about 1/3 of their patients opt to get PS after their weight loss.

I'm kinda freaked out by the thought of hanging skin, but figure it has to be better then being this big!

And good luck!

[Jachut 487]

There is no way I'm going to *need* plastic surgery but I when I get to goal I will have lost 80lb and I'm tall, so a relatively smaller weight problem than a lot of people.

Even so, there's no way to lose even that much weight without it leaving some signs on your body and I think people need to be realistic about that. Its all about how much perfection you demand. I mentioned in another post that the body that's emerging from under this fat isnt the same one that was there when the fat went on. I thought I got out of 3 pregnancies with big babies very lightly, but the evidence is there in my stomach - I dont have any stretch marks, but there is going to be a bit of loose wrinkled skin and flab there, I can see as it gets flatter that its not folding quite the way it did when I was 25, lol, there's some looseness on the lower abdomen. But for me, my stomach even now looks flat when I'm dressed, I"m not having to tuck skin in and I can hide that little bit of bagginess even in low rise underwear, its literally right on my public line. To me, why would I tamper with that with a huge scar across my abdomen?.

My boobs are a disaster zone, but that's a result of 3 pregnancies and six years of breastfeeding more than anything else. I may consider a lift but I can think of a lot of things my family could use that sort of money for that are more worthwhile to all of us. Again, a good bra and they look no worse than anyone else's.

Its all in your attitude to a large degree. Hardly anyone over the age of 25 looks really good naked, and only my husband and maybe a doctor or two are going to see it, so as long as I look pretty much like everyone else I dont care.

[Marimaru 7]

I'm going to get my breast lifted. There's no recovering from that sag! But after losing 55 lbs, I was stuck for about 8 months, and my skin tightened up quite a bit. My mom said she noticed it when I was in my bathing suit.

In my head, if my skin tightens up the way I think it's going to, I think my stomach might be a little 'squishy' but not saggy (I hope that makes sense), and same with my thighs and arms. I might still decide to have those tightened up, but the procedures will be signifigantly less painful and invasive.

[socalgal3 4]

I was self-pay and there is no way I could afford PS. Besides, I don't wanna! I am 36, but I have pretty good genes(I look younger), so I'm hoping my skin will snap back into shape somewhat. Losing slowly and exercise should help that. Has anyone tried cosmetic creams like FatGirlSlim or Olay Skin Firming lotion?? Just curious if they help!

[Andy Liz 0]

I haven't been banded yet but I'm already thinking about a TT and a boob lift. Even in my youth when I was thin I always had a poochy belly and I swear my boobs started out headed for the ground - so basically these are not going to be any better after being stretched out for 15 years.

I'm having my band place by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey and I hear there's a good plastic surgeon there as well. I'm going to check him out while I'm there to see if he's someone I want to go to - lots cheaper there than in the US too.

I'm not for sure I'll do it because man, I'm 42 and I certainly don't expect to be wearing a bikini or anything but I'd love to get rid of the tummy so pants would fit better. I've always had the tight around the waist and bagging in the butt syndrome with jeans and pants. A friend I work with had gastric bypass about 2 years ago and she had a TT and boob job with a surgeon in Kansas City. She showed me her scars (about a year old) and it didn't look like it was done very skillfully so I'd like to see some of the surgeon's work before I drop that kind of cash for something I really don't need.

Yes, I think the need for ps is based on genetics, degree of obesity and length of time obese but I also think plastic surgery, just like getting the band and everything in between is a personal decision. I'll just be excited to have to decided whether I want it or not!

Andy Liz

[Road Queen 0]

I can't find any before pictures so I have never posted my after picture. So I am going to put it here. I don't think I need plastic surgery and I'm gonna be 50. As of today, I am down 71 pounds and hope to lose another 10-15 (in the next year). Excuse the bad hair in the picture.

BTW - for anyone who can enlarge the picture, my swimsuit has motorcycle parts on it - springer front end, speedometer, etc. Celeste

[NewSho 20]

{ Cool Pic, Road Queen. }

Interesting.

I see LapBand PreOps worry about Plastic Surgery and I guess my thought was - It's only an issue if you lose the weight. Why stress about it? One thing at a time!:phanvan

I don't think it's a case of 'needing' plastic surgery. Everyone has a different tolerance level for hanging skin. I had zero tolerance! I want to look great.

So maybe my attitude is a bit different. I'm single/no kids and wanted a single girl's wardrobe. I knew a long period of obesity had done a number on my body. Nothing on me "bounces back" no matter how fast or how slow I lost weight. Period.

And since I don't have some man who has sworn to love me "for better, for worse" or "For wrinklier, or For saggier" :confused: I approach this from someone who would be seeing me for the first time. One day I might not be single - and I was hoping not to traumatize whoever the poor sap is who sees me unclothed (the only men who see me unclothed now all have medical licenses so they're not allowed to faint on sight). :rolleyes

But I knew I'd only need some work if I got the weight off first. Trust me, for a lot of people, you won't know how you'll look or how you'll feel about how you look, until you get nearer to your goal weight.

As for me, I'm considering my body to my best investment. Some women have jewelry and heirloom diamonds. I have a $20,000 ring (but it's made of silicone and it's internal instead of external), instead of a diamond Bracelet I have a $8,000 Tummy, and pretty soon I hope to have some $7,000 boobage and cleavage.

Who said diamonds are a girls ONLY best friend?

[Maryland 0]

NewSho -- i LOVE it! You put a whole new perspective on my "ring." lol. And you betcha I'm having PS just as soon as I can!