Loose skin after weight loss

[76girl 17]

Will plastic surgery be needed to remove excessive skin?

[joatsaint 2,814]

It is going to really depend on a person's excess weight, age and how much they exercise. I have seen some amazing before and after pics of younger people (20's and 30's) that I could barely tell the had any excess skin on their stomachs - even after losing 100+ lbs.

I on the other hand, didn't have surgery till age 46 and after losing 150+ lbs, I will have to have surgery if I want the excess skin removed from my stomach. But I can tell you without hesistation, I'd rather be thin and flappy than fat and tight!

[76girl 17]

Same here!! Thin and flappy , something some spanks can't hold up or in. ????

[AvaFern 3,516]

The first couple times I lost 50-80 pounds in my early 20's, I don't feel like I noticed the loose skin as much as I did after this weight loss cycle when I am now 30. In hindsight though I can look at old pictures and see that there was still some there. I just gave in and got plastic surgery and for the first time in my entire life I can look in the mirror and feel like I look like a normal person looks! I was very worried it would not be worth the expense, but it certainly has been.

[76girl 17]

I'm 38 and plan to do the gym 5 times a week maybe that will help. Specially the arms.

[joatsaint 2,814]

AvaFern,

How did the scars heal for you? I'm just curious if you feel it was worth having the scarring vs keeping the loose skin? I'm thinking about plastic surgery in the future and wonder if the scars will be noticible or if they will fade, like my VSG scars, over time?

If the scar encircles my waist, I was thinking of covering it with a tattoo, like train trakcs or barbed wire or maybe a zipper.

The first couple times I lost 50-80 pounds in my early 20's, I don't feel like I noticed the loose skin as much as I did after this weight loss cycle when I am now 30. In hindsight though I can look at old pictures and see that there was still some there. I just gave in and got plastic surgery and for the first time in my entire life I can look in the mirror and feel like I look like a normal person looks! I was very worried it would not be worth the expense, but it certainly has been.

Edited September 8, 2014 by joatsaint

[Kindle 8,667]

I'm 45 and lost 95 pounds. I ended up with loose skin everywhere, but my tummy, arms and neck have firmed up pretty good already. I think I will always have loose skin on my butt and thighs. Nothing I'd want to show off at the swimming pool, but not enough for surgery. A pair of longish shorts or capris pretty much covers any sagging areas. My boobs are really the only problem area....I now have B cups hanging in very saggy formerly DD skin and I fall out of most bras when I bend over. But, like others said, I'll take fit and flappy!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Saggy skin in my neck and face that bother me, but I always said I would only go under anesthesia with necessary surgery. I can deal with the rest of it.

[Kindle 8,667]

So I was just reading about another skin toning treatment called thermage. It appears to be a one-time treatment with results seen in 2-4 months. The before and after pictures are pretty impressive. Nothing like a full face lift or plastic surgery, but does a decent job on wrinkly faces and sagging skin on necks, abdomen, knees and buttocks. Hmmmm......

[BitterSweet* 835]

That tattoo though!!!

Edited September 8, 2014 by BitterSweet*