Let’s talk about… skin

[vegasjay82 5]

I am scheduled for the sleeve on June 17th. I am worried about hanging skin from my

belly. What has been everyone’s experience with this?

[Toomany#s 59]

It depends on a lot of factors, your age, your size, how you carry your weight, etc. Some people have plastic surgery after their weight is stable and some don’t. Some of it is personal preference. Some people also have problems with rashes and stuff under hanging skin. I’m sure some of those who have had plastic surgery will respond with their experiences and you can always do a search on the forum.

[liveaboard15 1,293]

it would help a ton of we knew your stats. Try update them on your profile under surgery section. It helps a ton when answering questions.

[catwoman7 11,212]

it's pretty easy to hide in clothes. I've since had mine removed, but before I did, I stuck to 3/4 length (or longer) sleeves, jeans or "tummy control" leggings, and slightly oversized, long-ish tops. No one knew it was there except me and my husband (well, and my doctor). I'm in my 60s and lost over 200 lbs, so yea, I had a lot of it. Here's a picture of me BEFORE I had all the excess skin removed:

[vegasjay82 5]

6 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

it's pretty easy to hide in clothes. I've since had mine removed, but before I did, I stuck to 3/4 length (or longer) sleeves, jeans or "tummy control" leggings, and slightly oversized, long-ish tops. No one knew it was there except me and my husband (well, and my doctor). I'm in my 60s and lost over 200 lbs, so yea, I had a lot of it. Here's a picture of me BEFORE I had all the excess skin removed:

Cant tell at all. I am 40 about 5’10” and 280. I carry it all in my gut, arms and legs are twigs according to my wife. I want to feel good about myself after this and I don’t want a flap of skin you know… slapping her during “room activities” BUT my insurance has made it very clear they won’t cover skin removal.

[Arabesque 7,240]

Unfortunately, you can’t prevent loose skin & you can’t control how much you end up with. You can’t even predict how much you end up with. If you’re young & still have lots of elastin in your skin it will bounce back some. If you only carried the bulk of your excess weight for a short period of time you may not have as much. If you’re blessed with good genes you may not have as much either. Where you carry your weight can affect what you end up with too - more in your abdominal region then you will have more loose skin there.

The only way to get rid of it is through surgery. I don’t have much (more than a pinch but less than a handful) & decided it wasn’t worth surgery. I can hide it very successfully under clothes even in fitted body con dresses without need of any support garments. I feel I’ve earned the loose skin after working so hard to lose my weight. Rather have some loose skin that may flap a bit than my fat body.

[vegasjay82 5]

Sadly I miss all the boxes. Crappy genes, bad skin elasticity, and I’ve been heavy for 28 years. Hopefully it’s not too bad or I may have to get it cut off.

[kristieshannon 1,628]

Plastic surgery was the best thing I did for myself post VSG. Head over to the PS forum, lots of folks have shared their stories and before/after pics.

[Smanky 747]

I'm someone who won't be able to afford to get my excess skin removed (it was a stroke of luck that I got the money together for the surgery itself). I'm just learning to love myself with the loose skin regardless, and seconding what Arabesque said: I'd much rather tuck some loose skin into my pants than be 130kg again.