Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Excess skin question



Recommended Posts

I am going to have my sleeve done soon, and I have a ton of weight to shed, about 200 pounds. To be honest my family is driving me a little crazy talking about sagging skin, and how I will need to have cosmetic surgery done later; what kind of exercises should be done to minimize any excess skin problems after the surgery?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

From what I've read here I don't know if there's a lot you can do to avoid the sagging skin if you're prone to it. I'll let the veterans post though based upon their own experiences!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

From what I've read here I don't know if there's a lot you can do to avoid the sagging skin if you're prone to it. I'll let the veterans post though based upon their own experiences!

I'm not a veteran, but I'll add my 2 cents. I'm in my early 60's and always said I was too old to consider any cosmetic surgery. However...I have so much baggy skin that I could skydive without a parachute. I think you have to be about 2 years out before considering flop removal, but I'm beginning to think I just might!!! K :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I asked this same question of the Exercise Physiologist just before surgery. I was particularly worried about "bat wings." He said to add arm toning exercising in my exercise plan at about 3 months post op. He said the most important thing was to drink extra fluids. He explained that the skin is an organ that requires Water to maintain elasticity. The more Water, the better the skin can recover from the excess stretching. I am now 18 weeks post op. Yes, I have "bat wings" and they are getting worse as I am losing more weight. I also have very saggy skin on my upper thighs. Stomach is not so bad as of yet, but I have another 60 pounds to lose. I have started the arm toning exercises 5 times a week, but honestly haven't seen any change. I do try to drink a minimum of 64 oz of water each day but its hard even at my stage. I have taken to wearing 3/4 sleeve shirts even in the hot weather because they look better. I suspect that might continue forever. My insurance doesn't cover plastic surgery unless is it deemed medically neccessary so I don't see that in my future.

I will add that I am in my mid-50s. I also lost weight in my 30's and I did not have the saggy skin at that time. I think the younger you are the better. It also probably doesn't help that I have now lost this same amount of weight twice in one lifetime.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I too have asked questions about the sagging skin.... I am being told your age, amount of weight loss and skin elasticity have a huge role in how our skin rebounds after losing wieight. Moisturizers, lotions and creams certainly help as well as exercise to firm/tone --but in some situations there is nothing but surgery that can help the sagging skin.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I asked this same question of the Exercise Physiologist just before surgery. I was particularly worried about "bat wings." He said to add arm toning exercising in my exercise plan at about 3 months post op. He said the most important thing was to drink extra fluids. He explained that the skin is an organ that requires Water to maintain elasticity. The more Water, the better the skin can recover from the excess stretching. I am now 18 weeks post op. Yes, I have "bat wings" and they are getting worse as I am losing more weight. I also have very saggy skin on my upper thighs. Stomach is not so bad as of yet, but I have another 60 pounds to lose. I have started the arm toning exercises 5 times a week, but honestly haven't seen any change. I do try to drink a minimum of 64 oz of water each day but its hard even at my stage. I have taken to wearing 3/4 sleeve shirts even in the hot weather because they look better. I suspect that might continue forever. My insurance doesn't cover plastic surgery unless is it deemed medically neccessary so I don't see that in my future.

I will add that I am in my mid-50s. I also lost weight in my 30's and I did not have the saggy skin at that time. I think the younger you are the better. It also probably doesn't help that I have now lost this same amount of weight twice in one lifetime.

Thank you, I didn't know about the Fluid :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I too have asked questions about the sagging skin.... I am being told your age, amount of weight loss and skin elasticity have a huge role in how our skin rebounds after losing wieight. Moisturizers, lotions and creams certainly help as well as exercise to firm/tone --but in some situations there is nothing but surgery that can help the sagging skin.

Thanks for the moisturizers tip :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LadyVeteran1

      Sleeve surgery is on April 14th.  I am counting the days!!  Can't wait!
      · 3 replies
      1. Brookie2shoes

        Me too girl!! Are you in the full liquid diet right now? It’s sooooo hard!

      2. LadyVeteran1

        Not yet. I was told I only have to do 24 hours of a liquid diet. But I have my pre-op tomorrow so I’m going to confirm if I need to do longer.

      3. buildabetteranna

        Your so close now! It's gonna be great :) Wishing you a speedy recovery and looking forward to seeing how it goes!

    • buildabetteranna

      Down 33 lbs and slightly stalled, but I'm gonna reevaluate and push through. I started back to work last week after 2 years of being disabled due to mental health as well as my weight. It's a great job and I'm just so happy to have this opportunity at a second chance at life. Hope everyone is having their best journey ❤️ Together, we got this!
      · 2 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Great work Anna! Keep it up 😁

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 1 reply
      1. stevieoriole

        Am feeling this right now. My surgery date is 4/1. Sign the consent tomorrow. I feel like I overloaded myself with too much info, too many opinions. Got to the point where I was wondering if I should do this. Then I thought of my reasons for taking this step and that settled my nerves. Still get moments of doubt but am striving forward. Am just going to follow my book from the surgeon. Joined this because I was told by my dietician that I should do this for support

    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×