What excess skin has been the most annoying?

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Word to the pre-ops and other newbies about problem areas and loose skin: It can all change a lot while you're losing weight. Fat and skin that you think won't ever go away will continue to shift and change until you've lost all your excess weight. You may be pleasantly surprised at what happens.

That's what happened to my mid-section. And my thighs. And even my forearms. At 14.5 months post-op, my waist is now 28.5 inches -- at 70 years of age.

Don't assume what your body will look like when you're done -- until you're done.

And then after you're through losing weight, it continues to change. That's why surgeons say to wait for body-shaping surgery until you've lost all your weight and maintained your weight for at least a year. My area's "top plastic surgeon" won't even do botox on WLS patients until a year of maintenance has passed.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

For me, there was so much to choose from, I couldn't pick just one area that bothered me. It all did! I had lots of plastics, but probably the arms are the most visible because I didn't have any arm Spanx. After that, the thighs were most noticeable. In clothing I look way better post plastics. Glad I had it all done.

Two undeniable truths: Things will continue to shift and shrink and you may see some improvement in skin tone you don't expect. My neck looked awful at first, and now it's only a little bad (no plastics there). Also, you can't exercise away skin. For that matter, you can't target exercise fat, either.

I have found that adding the plastic surgery was beneficial for me, not only in terms of how I look and feel about myself, but it is also additional incentive to maintain my loss. It was a difficult, painful and expensive process that is one more reminder of my commitment to myself that I am worth the work it takes to maintain. Not to mention the skin on my abdomen is so nice and tight there's no room for swelling or bloating from eating too much!

[Victoria Mora 40]

Once the excess skin is removed is there scaring?

[Wendyfm 494]

I hate my turkey neck and bat wings.

[rnsamantha 352]

My boobs. Fortunately they stay covered and a good bra helps, but they will probably need to be fixed down the road!

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Once the excess skin is removed is there scaring?

Yes. Any time there is an incision, there is a scar. The placement of the scar depends on procedure done and techniques, and sometimes is affected by healing. The visibility of the scar depends on location and the individual. Time tends to help them fade.

So it's been over a year for me, and my scars have really faded. However, the lower portion of the scars on my arms are still a little red and ropey, because there is more tension on them. The upper part is a fine line and barely visible. All very much worth it to me.

[IncredibleShrinkingMan 437]

Inner thighs...65+ lbs lost since surgery, and there is so much bagginess down there that causes horrible chafing on runs any longer than a 5K. Upper arms, as well, are seeing some early batwings. It is seriously time to hit the weights.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

@@tcrehm

I was told to wait at least one year after GOAL before having PS

just in case things/wrinkles do improve

that's what MY doc said

other docs might say different

my tushy/skin was hanging way down south during and after surgery

what a mess

lost my rear end!!!

(not gonna look for it!! LOL)

as time passed within the next year+

rear end end started to firm/tighten

not perfect, - good enough not to need PS

and i am still "cute as a button"!!

i agree with @@VSGAnn2014

PS shouldn't be done immediately after WLS

this is what my doc told me - OP might be different

"you" waited a long time to get rid of your excess weight"

wait a little longer with PS til your body is ready

God Grant Me Patience Just Hurry Up About It"

@@Victoria Mora @@Mountaingal @@Wendyfm

you both spoke earlier of your neck/chin area

i had my face/double chin plastic surgery end of June

i had a small, faint, light scar under my neck area PO

i was aware of it, but no one else probably noticed

3.5 months later - i know the scar is there

scar is so light, faded - i doubt OP can see it

scarring "probably" is more visible in larger area (my thoughts)

good luck

kathy

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

@@Victoria Mora said

Great to hear that your very happy with the result, so have you been told you look 25? I am glad that its possible to fix, can't wait till I am able to do it but got to research for a great plastic surgeon here in my state of australia. Ill be over the moon if i can get it done. Enjoy the new younger you!!!

hi Aussie

hmmmm

i feel great with my new body, and new "face"

at the age of 62 years YOUNG i don't think i'll ever be "accused" of looking 25 years

i'll settle for looking 35

but i definitely feel 25

thanx for your cute response

good luck with looking for PS in Australia

kathy

[sprocket 104]

Like @@glitter eyes, I have a small area on my upper, inner thighs that is saggy and wrinkly. I hate it because it makes me anxious about wearing swimsuits and shorts.

Edited November 6, 2015 by sprocket

[lovingdavid 119]

Inner thighs for me but I still have 30 more pounds to reach my goal. Of course the tummy area as well and will look into a Tummy Tuck and breast augmentation ???????? sometime in the future.

[mespo 30]

Me too...arms and boobs just gross!

Mine is the chest area. I mean I cannot seem to pull all that extra skin in to my bra! Just cannot find a new bra that works right and then when I do, I change sizes again! Arms and breast lift will be my very first surgery and the sooner the better!

[finediva 979]

Yeah, I just want to wake up toned and tight. That's not going to happen so I plan to fix my tummy........soon, and hopefully the sad girls!

[OKCPirate 5,323]

Ladies, I know I am in the lounge, but I just felt compelled to contribute...It's the upper thigh skin for me. I was enjoying some intimate time with my girl friend and the sound of that extra skin (whap, whap) just embarrassed me to death. It's got to go. She doesn't mind the aesthetics, but I can't stand the sound. It's just not me anymore. Spanx wont take care of it in the bedroom. Don't know if anyone else has had this problem but it sucks.

[Victoria Mora 40]

@@Victoria Mora said

Great to hear that your very happy with the result, so have you been told you look 25? I am glad that its possible to fix, can't wait till I am able to do it but got to research for a great plastic surgeon here in my state of australia. Ill be over the moon if i can get it done. Enjoy the new younger you!!!

hi Aussie

hmmmm

i feel great with my new body, and new "face"

at the age of 62 years YOUNG i don't think i'll ever be "accused" of looking 25 years

i'll settle for looking 35

but i definitely feel 25

thanx for your cute response

good luck with looking for PS in Australia

kathy

Thanks Kathy. Now Im looking at getting into another surgery. At work one of my assistants complimented that now she can see how much weight I have lost with the tighter clothes i was wearing, my other assistant commented yes its very visible and that now I am all (b##bs) - top heavy- arhhgg never did like the above D cups. Well that did it I called my insurance and asked if I would be covered for a reduction, they said Id be covered if its a medical condition so I said is back ache due to top heavy a good reason and she said yep to go for it.