Question about surgery after losing 100 lbs

[HungryGirl]

Hi, I haven't logged in here in a long time. I tried Atkins a long time ago and it worked great. I don't know why I quit...but now I am Insulin Resistant, and just diagnosed hypothyroid, and I am really determined to lose 100 pounds. But I am super scared about what my body will look like afterwards. I would love any tips or advice about tummy tucks or maybe stories about how your skin didn't sag as much as you thought it would....I am scared about needing a 10,000+ surgery after meeting my goal. Thanks everyone!

Tiffany
Started at 275
Now at 264
Goal is 165

[aronace]

Keep it up and glad to have you here with us.

All i know about the skin thing is to drink lost of water and exercise. Your body will look amazing when you have met your goal.

[TXLoser]

Originally Posted by aronace

Keep it up and glad to have you here with us.

All i know about the skin thing is to drink lost of water and exercise. Your body will look amazing when you have met your goal.

AGREE..

I think exercising along the way is key...every little bit will help

Lots of folks don't need surgery afterwards....

Congrats on the loss so far Tiffany

[alaskanlaughter]

i was up to 270 after the birth of my older son...i was also only 20 at the time...i lost weight slowlyyyyy between ages 25-28 and got down to 213 and i didnt have any skin problems at all....my guess would be that losing slowly let my body catch up, but i could be wrong...others on here prob know way more than me, thats just my take on things.....i also was at 247 after my youngest was born and got back to 218 without any problems....now im pushing forward and have gotten down to 209 or 206 depending on if the scale is being nice to me

[TaDa!]

I could use surgery having lost 100 pounds but you know what, no one around me knows that. No need to advertise. I wear styles etc that suit me and my figure ... I look great and someday maybe I will get some surgery done. That said, I do exercise a lot, cardio and lifting weights and the parts of me without any "skin" issues look pretty darn amazing if I do say so myself.

Scaring yourself about that is not the way forward - it is just an excuse to keep using food as a drug. Just head out on your journey and see where it takes you. You can always gain the weight back if you want to.

[amm]

I've lost over 100 pounds with close to 100 more to go to get to my goal. I know that my body can't be expected to bounce back after losing that much... and I'm worried about having bad skin issues. But, you know what? Empty loose skin on a healthy and fit body HAS to be much better than being fat and unhealthy. So I'm eating right, exercising, and hoping for the best!

[fancyface]

I have wondered about the sagging skin too, and am just trying to focus on getting more exercise as the weight comes off. Right now the only area that looks a little alarming are the 'batwings' --- Have started doing more arm exercises.

Empty loose skin on a healthy and fit body HAS to be much better than being fat and unhealthy

Amen to that!

[SnowWhite]

I have serious skin issues after losing 200 lbs. My issues are medical - skin infections, back & hip pain, limited mobility at times, etc etc. My belly apron hangs down over a foot.

I'm having a panniculectomy next Tuesday. We could be removing around 20+ lbs of excess skin/tissue

My surgeon tells me I need about 6 other surgeries to rid my body of all this excess skin - but I doubt I'll get any of them done any time soon - it's VERY expensive plus not as important to me as getting the belly apron/pannus removed.

I look like a deflated balloon.

[MaryMary]

I had the surgery "panniculectomy" back in 2006 and it removed 6 lbs of hanging skin. I had lost all my weight so it was just the skin. It was successful and I felt better within 3 weeks. My insurance paid for it. As far as the other surgery, they won't pay for it, so I am saving up. The next two I am planning on are the brachioplasty (something like that) to remove the hanging arm skin and a boob lift along with some lyposuction on my back & love handles. That will probably run between 10 & 15K.

That would leave the inner thighs and my face (lift, neck & eyes that are drooping). I turned 60 this year and no amount of exercise will put things back the way they were.

What was important to me was to first lose the weight and see if I could keep it off before having the surgery. I saw folks that have had the surgery only to gain the weight back and although there are no guarantees, I don't want to go there.

[fancyface]

MaryMary, You are an inspiration. Thanks for posting. Your photos are amazing.

[HungryGirl]

Thank you all for your replies. You are right, losing the weight is more important than the sagging skin. I know it is silly.....I had a breast reduction 4 years ago, and I feel so much better about my boobs than I used to, because they were really big and sagged. I am just worried that I will have to have that re-done, along with several other surgeries, but I know that isn't the point, the point is to lose weight, and get healthy. Thanks for helping me see the big picture!

How many times have you said "I am starting monday"? I keep putting it off, finding one excuse after another, to really commit to the low carb-ness. I am losing weight, but I know I would lose more, and feel better, if I would just take the plunge and do it. I hate this "cliff" feeling, like I am about to step over the edge, and who knows what will happen. I just have to do it, just shut up my brain and just do it......

[TaDa!]

HG ... just ease into it Girl!!! If it feels like hard work, it will be hard work. You can do this!!!!



Pauline

[aronace]

Take that first step!!! It may seem like you are stepping off a cliff but once you take that step you will see there is solid ground under your feet. You have to take that step. We are there for you and you can do this!!!!!

[HungryGirl]

Thanks! I took the step, and started today, and I am glad that I did. I am excited about this journey. I know this is my year, I just know it.

[Cats for Texas]

YES, TAKE THAT STEP! I did (again) last October and haven't looked back in large part because of the LC Friends forums, like this one. So far I've lost almost 40 lbs. and have been doing Pilates all along. Yes, I DO HAVE lots of sagging skin, especially my arms and thighs, but boy would I rather have that extra skin than the skin filled up with f.a.t. I still have 40 more to lose and then I'll take a look at the sags again. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US.

[Maja]

Good for you for starting!!

When I originally lost 70lbs doing low carb YEARS ago, I think my skin was ok, didn't have too much sag.

This time around I have over 100lbs to lose, I gave birth to twins via emergency csection and I breast fed/pumped. So let's just say.... my body is not looking pretty... and there is major sagging going on already .

But I restarted Low Carb and started losing already. I feel better about myself and I'll deal with the sagging when I get to goal.

[AnneLaurie]

Hi to all! Does anyone know how I can get in touch with MaryMary? I am beginning the Cambridge Greysheet and she is such an awesome example of recovery. I don't have the PM function, but I can send my email address, which is cupfloss at yahoo dot com.

Thanks so much!
AnneLaurie

[Loosinslow]

I forwarded your post to MaryMary. She is going to respond to you via e-mail.

[mrs_mad]

Originally Posted by TaDa!

Scaring yourself about that is not the way forward - it is just an excuse to keep using food as a drug.

TaDah!

This is what I've done for more than 15 years, and it HAS to stop this year. I have a husband who loves me dearly, doubt I will ever want/feel the need to wear a bikini, and as you say, hope to dress in ways to distract from droopy bits.

The most important thing at the moment, is to lose the excess weight and see what happens - it may not be that bad, as everyone is different.

C

[TaDa!]

big mrs mad!!!! You are absolutely right!!!! Free yourself from the fear and just get on with it!!! You CAN do it!!!!

And I have learned that the "thin" people are not perfect either!!! Balking at losing weight because we won't be perfect, is like throwing a childish temper tantrum because life is not perfect. The truth is, that it is not for ANYONE and will never be and staying fat will not change it or punish the universe in any way.

There are so many huge benefits to weightloss other than a perfect body, that anyone out there afraid to start is just shortchanging themselves. I do not have a perfect body -- what I do have now (that I never had before in my life) is priceless to me. I have:

Self-Esteem and Respect from others ... I have achieved something that awes even the "thin" people. People in RL actually look up to ME

Energy I just have it. I can do anything anyone else can do. I can go on a hike and not worry that I will hold everyone back. I will not. I am "average" now.

Clothes Shopping ... anywhere I go I can find outfits that look good on me. I can go to a foreign country and buy a shirt or a dress. I do not have to be petrified of losing luggage. I have millions of clothing stores I can shop in. I went into "Bob's Stores" for the first time ever yesterday and was amazed at what a good store it is ... For ME, not my pre-teen. The world is my oyster.

Normalcy ... I no longer stand out in a crowd, or have to worry that I will not fit in a seat, or an airport bathroom stall. No longer pluck at my clothes all the time worrying that they cling to my body. I can pack for a trip in 10 minutes, no need to try everything on ... that is an unbelieveable thing for me ... everytime I am amazed.

Freedom and Peace of Mind ... Weight is no longer a life excuse for me, no longer something I have to take into account in my daily life. Excuse the pun, but what a weight off my shoulders. It is like becoming free for the first time in my life.

Looking Good I can look good, look slender and beautiful in normal clothing. Yes, I have to shop for my body type and body flaws, but it is not torture to do so. It is pretty easy because clothing manufacturers cater to different body types ... everyone has to deal with body issues. Everyone.

I do not have a perfect body, but I do have an entirely new life and I highly recommend it. Do not let anything get in your way!!!!!!!!!!!!

[alaskanlaughter]

very well-said

[amm]

Great post, Ta-Da!