By: Nanette Zora

Nanette Zora — Wed, 03 Mar 2004 13:46:53 +0000

NOTE: Graphic body talk below. Delete now if terribly modest!
There is NO WAY anyone can tell you or anyone else how much (or little)
loose skin you will have after WLS. The variables are too great. It
doesn’t just depend on your pre-op weight, but also depends on how long you
were that fat, how many times did you lose buckets of weight and regain
more, how old are you, what kind of genetics do you have, how many kids
have you had and how big were they, how was your pre-op diet (prolly not so
hot), how was your *mother’s* diet while in utero… and a million other
things we probably don’t even understand yet. Exercise pre- and post-op
has *nothing* to do with skin tightening… has everything to do with
muscle building *under* the skin and plumps the area up, for sure, but skin
elasticity and exercise are independent of each other.
I needed a tummy tuck 20 years ago… *before* having 3 ten pound
kidlets… now, after losing 180 pounds, I need a complete abdominal
overhaul. While I expected my pannus (the apron of abdominal flesh that

folds over the pubic area) to drop down to my thighs, but instead, I can
actually see most of my pubic mound.
My thighs, while not touching when my feet are together, are probably the
scariest of the loose skin on my body (but that is entirely
debatable!). My thigh skin is in giant drapes down towards my knees. I
have dozens of tiny folds and a couple of large ones that will need to be
cut off.
My batwings (the dangling skin underneath my arms) are longer than my arm
itself. I will have *tiny* upper arms when the skin is cut off. I have
got major muscled arms (beautiful!), but cannot/will not wear short short
sleeves or no sleeves because of the slapping flaps.
My butt is now resting on my upper thighs, which are resting on my lower
thighs. I have folds of skin over the crack of my butt… and have the
*weirdest* sensation when I get up from the toilet as all the skin lifts
and drops into place. I will carry a picture of JLo’s butt into the PS
(plastic surgeon) and tell him I want to buy THAT butt.
And my National Geographic Specials… well, we know what *those* are,
right? My poor breasts… empty sacks with large nips on the
end. *sigh* Such a sad sight those things are. Thank the Wonder Goddess
for Victoria’s Secret brassieres! (Victoria’s Secret is that post-op
breasts look normal in her bras!)
It has been a challenge for me to accept this very strange body I now
have. I realized the other day that part of why it is so bizarre to me now
is that for 35 of my 41 years, I only saw myself pumped and plumped up…
with NO wrinkles… and now, what I see is just really different… not
necessarily ugly (well, I’m trying to convince myself anyway!). While
riding the other day, I looked down and saw my skin hanging out from under
the bike shorts and watched as my leg *worked* those pedals… and I had
this kernel of love come from deep inside that said, “my GOD woman, you
have lost 180 pounds, you DESERVE to have loose skin!” and I felt better
about my wrinkly, Shar-pei skin that I have in months and months.
I do plan on having at least 5 plastic surgeries in the future. Those who
had surgery with me, many of them, either have already had plastics done or
are scheduled. But, listening to longer-term posties, I am waiting until
at least 2 years out to begin the plastics scheduling. The body just
shifts too much between 1-2 years out… some say even up to 4 years out
there are shrinking and shifting levels of skin and muscle. I am paying
cash for all my plastics, so do not want to do them more than once, so will
be patient and wait awhile longer.
In the meantime, I look faboo in clothes! I get asked all the time when I
had plastic surgery (even by other posties who should know better!)… and
that is a HUGE compliment for me! It feels good to wear jeans with a tight
shirt tucked in… my boobs sticking out further than my gut (and I am a
36A… well, an A and a half in VS ). I wear *tight* jeans (probably
really only jeans that actually *fit*) and feel comfortable in them. I,
after surgery, said I would not put on a pair of jeans until after my
abdominal surgery, but that changed when I could put them on and not have a
giant jelly roll hanging there under the waistband. I was more shocked
than anyone! I wear tight tops (3/4 sleeves, of course), but unless I lift
my arm to show the hanging underskin, no one even notices. Cool!
The skin has been the biggest adjustment for me because I had NO body image
issues pre-op. But, would I not have surgery to have plumper, no wrinkle
skin? NO WAY IN you-know-where!!!!! The life I have now cannot even
compare to the life I had before… this life is filled with activity and
joy and travel and ambition and life! Oh, and miraculous health… of
which I am most proud.
I hope this information helps.
Barbara Herrera
San Diego, CA - 41 years old
Open RNY April 5, 2001
Dr. Julie Ellner, Alvarado Hospital, San Diego, CA
04/05/01: 344# / BMI: 63/ Body Fat%: 75%
04/05/02: 172# / BMI: 31.6/ Body Fat%: 28%
04/16/02: 165#/ BMI: 30.2
One Year Re-Birth Day: healed of ALL co-morbs, mobile beyond every
expectation, every pre-op dream surpassed a million-fold, and smaller than
any memory.

By: Jimmy Ramonita

Jimmy Ramonita — Mon, 01 Mar 2004 08:35:39 +0000

Dear Elena,
I have lost 112 lbs. and I am at goal. I do not have extra skin any
where on my body. Only my lower belly is a little “loose” but I
attribute that to my two pregnancies. I look presentable in a swim
suit and can even wear a tankini. I think it is a genetic thing
along with how much you actually have to lose and your age when you
lose it. I am 38 yrs. old and I was worried about “hanging skin”
too. Well, everyone is different. I would not have decided against
weight loss surgery even if I was going to be left with some extra
skin. Plastic surgery can do wonders. Also, exercise and toning can
help too. Extra skin is better than extra fat anyday. Good luck with
your research.
Jodi ~ Age 38 yrs.
230/118 (-112 lbs)
5′3.5″ ~ Size 2/4

Lap BPD/DS ~ 4/26/01
Dr. Christine Ren
www.thinforlife.org
www.duodenalswitch.com

By: harold_2000

harold_2000 — Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:27:21 +0000

Elena,
It depends on how elastic your skin is, how old you are, and how much you
have to lose…just to name a few variables. I’m 47, 5′4″, started out at
266# and am down to 155#. I’m only about 10 1/2 months out of surgery and
I’m still losing slowly. My skin is shrinking back slowly but surely. I’m
working out at the YMCA three times per week and I think that’s helping firm
things up….. maybe not the skin, but at least what’s under it. I still
have some lose skin, but not enough that I won’t wear shorts, sleeveless
blouses, etc. I certainly would not consider a tt…..I have a tummy, but so
what??? It’s not that big. I’m looking pretty good in my clothes and that’s
all I care about. Just my experience, of course. Hope this helps!
Vicki
open RNY 6/28/01
In a message dated 5/17/02 10:51:16 AM, elena1861@… writes:
<< I understand

that the more weight you have to lose the more skin you’ll have, but
is there a cut off– a point at which you won’t have loose skin?
I am 5′6″ 275.. need to lose 135lbs– but the thought of loose skin
freaks me out.

Comments on: extra skin after wls

By: Nanette Zora

By: Jimmy Ramonita

By: harold_2000