[Kat]

OK. After loosing over 100 lbs. and needing to loose 100 more I am experiencing some loose skin issues. Not medical right now, just bothersome and uncomfortable. I am assuming that another 85 lb. loss will have some medical effects like rashes etc.
I have been cruising around looking up plastics info. So far I have found out that it is not to early to start looking and documenting even though it will be at least a good 18 mos. for the procedure. I also found a site that claims much of our loose skin is fat and lack or musscle mass that we can firm up more on our own then we realize by adding muscle tone. We've all seen pictures of empty skin hanging down to the knees after a large weight loss. I think that is quite obvious that in cases like that, exercise won't cut it. How about sagging not so severe? Has anyone heard or have experience with someone who has "gone to town" with a trainer for our particular issues having WLS? What was the outcome or is someone in the process now?
What do you all think or know?

[DocSanae]

Well, for one thing, the elasticity of the skin is hugely impaired with weight gain.
What weight you gained while your were a child to early 20s, much of the skin would have grown as any other part of our body that grows with growth, such as our bones. Once you have past the age where body growth in height stops, you can consider that the rest of your body will also slow down in that aspect. In other words, when you gain weight as an adult, part of your skin will grow along with the increase in size, but at the same time, the inner layer of your skin that accounts for the elasticity will be stretched and break down, so that part is not going to recover its "tightness" once the fat under it is gone. Think of the pregancy lines. Once you give birth to the baby, your tummy will go back to it some, but not completely, it will stay just a wee bit looser than before, and if you have pregnancy lines--those white lines that indicate a break in the elastic layer of your skin--that area will remain stretched.
So, while exercise will help, the factors that probably will affect the results most will be your present age, for how long were you obese, and how much did you exercise pre-op as well as post-op. If you exercised regularly pre op, obviously, your skin tone and muscle tone will be in a better condition than if you had not, and post op, once you restart your exercise, you have a better foundation to build on.
With an over 100lb loss, you are bound to have excess skin issues to some degree. It will depend on the person whether they feel comfortable with it, don't mind it or find it much of an issue with the help of body shapers, or whether it will bother you no matter what.

Though I know most of you will have to do it out of your pocket unless you have issues like hernia which will be covered by insurance and can get a TT along with it, personally, I think that you should have plastics if you can afford it, as having a body that will help you see that you have come a long way, give you a better esteem of yourself and incentive to take care of your new body, and will remind you that you need to work hard to keep it that way. Even though looks isn't everything, looking better does help you keep your spirits high, and keep you motivated.

[LittleLisaMarie]

"So, while exercise will help, the factors that probably will affect the results most will be your present age, for how long were you obese, and how much did you exercise pre-op as well as post-op. If you exercised regularly pre op, obviously, your skin tone and muscle tone will be in a better condition than if you had not, and post op, once you restart your exercise, you have a better foundation to build on. "


As quoted above what Doc said is absolutly true. Exercises post op can only do so much at this point. Think of a pony tail that starts out with great elasticity. Over time after alot of useage it no longer has that stretch anymore...
It is true that you should start getting documentation of every little rash or problem you experience as a result of the loose skin. This will make it much easier when its time to get insurance to even consider approving. Go to the doc every time there is an issues and have it documented well.
I ended up with a tummy tuck as a result of luck actually. I had a tumor as many know already that was in my abdomen that needed to be removed. IT was deep into the muscle so reconstruction was needed. I doubt that i would have been able to get it covered any other way.

Best think is make sure everything is documented well so in case you do decide later on...it will make life easier. I have to say it really is nice not to have the sagging skin on my belly anymore.

Good luck

LittleLisaMarie

[Kat]

I'm actually surprised I'm not sagging more then I am. I think once I make goal I will have a lot of extra stuff.
Thanks for the info., guys.