|
Post by maggiesara on Jan 26, 2014 2:53:50 GMT -5
So, excess skin. Can they REALLY make this go away? Because I gotta tell ya, I now have upper arms like my Aunt Selma's, and this is not a good look. We won't even discuss the thighs. AND I'm expecting to drop another 60 pounds or so: I will look like a melting candle. Somebody tell me that the nice men in the white coats can fix this.
|
|
|
Post by tina9999 on Jan 26, 2014 8:12:31 GMT -5
I'm still at 244, but my arms when I dry my hair are definately NOT an attractive sight!
If you've got the money, they can fix it all.
My surgeons office really recommends going with someone who has experience dealing with bariatric patients - the nurse there says we're different than the typical PS candidate.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 26, 2014 8:49:24 GMT -5
Yes they can fix it all - it will never be perfect, but it will be good. And I agree about using a plastic surgeon who has experience dealing with reconstruction after massive weight loss.
It's going to get worse before it gets better. :-(
|
|
|
Post by mark540 on Jan 26, 2014 9:07:14 GMT -5
Yes, they can fix anything. I had the excess skin removed from my stomach (panniculectomy) a year ago and I have been happy with the result. Insurance covered the entire operation but they would not cover the cost of stitching the muscles tighter. There were troubles that stopped the surgeon from doing more than we would have liked to do.
You definitely want to work with someone who has had extensive training and experience working with bariatric patients. My surgeon was very experienced in bariatric plastics and from what he described to be when they opened me up there were so many blood vessels and the the like which were so large that tying them all off as the surgery progressed was very time consuming. There was a desire before surgery to go into the upper section of my torso and tighten the abdominal muscles but due the Medusa of blood vessels, veins and arteries that were involved the surgeon decided the risks were too great to do that portion of the work. Normal blood vessel are about the size of a pencil lead, about 2mm. The vessels inside me were sometimes as large as 10mm, a major situation to deal with that I would like to have an experienced guy working on.
Even with an experienced surgeon there can be unforeseen problems. The day after surgery as I was preparing to go home from the hospital I started feeling a bit odd and it was progressing into downright felling like shit very fast. My abdomen was starting to harden and the JP drains were filling with blood. This all happened in the space of about 1 hour. By that time, unbeknownst to me, they had called the surgeon and had a OR reserved. They had to open me up and redo all the stitching they had done. A blood vessel had started leaking into my abdomen. I later asked the surgeon how much trouble I was in and he told me if I had ignored the symptoms and gone home I would have been in a world of shit in about 6 hours.
I am very happy with the results and would do it again in a heartbeat even with all the problems encountered on the journey.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2014 9:59:13 GMT -5
So, excess skin. Can they REALLY make this go away? Because I gotta tell ya, I now have upper arms like my Aunt Selma's, and this is not a good look. We won't even discuss the thighs. AND I'm expecting to drop another 60 pounds or so: I will look like a melting candle. Somebody tell me that the nice men in the white coats can fix this. Although I think it might be different for ladies and guys, but I look at my Buddy Marc who is a year ahead of me and I don't see any loose skin on him (of course we don't get naked together so I am not seeing every area, but his skin looks tight). I have a little turkey neck going on but it seems to be tightening up and I do have some loose flab on my arms, but I can feel meat under there so I know I need to hit the gym to tighten it up (gotta get my back pain controlled so I feel like hitting the gym). Anyway, I think you should see some tightening over time from what I hear, but I also think that ladies are more prone to needing plastics than some guys so mentally I would probably prepare for that possibility. Obviously how big you were and how much weight loss you end up losing goes into this equation. BTW, I am sure ole Aunt Selma is a sweet lady!
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 26, 2014 10:22:31 GMT -5
It varies tremendously from person to person.
|
|
|
Post by fullhousemom on Jan 26, 2014 12:50:37 GMT -5
I found that when I was losing at a rapid pace, the flab was really flabby. I had excess skin hanging under my chin, that made me look like a chicken or a turkey. Most of that has firmed up, as skin is pretty elastic. It has firmed up in other parts of my body as well.
I will always have a belly, sagging thighs, sagging upper arms, and a sagging behind. The first time I saw the back side of me in a changing room, I about died. I knew I didn't have a butt, but I didn't realize my butt had slid down to the top of my legs!
Regardless, there will be no plastics for me. I am happy with the way I look even though I could look better. I look pretty darn good in my clothes, which makes me think that there is a lot of other people out there who look good in their clothes, but are far from perfect when they are naked!
Oh and the upper arms? Next summer check out how many non-Dsers have flabby upper arms! They are everywhere!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2014 12:54:01 GMT -5
I found that when I was losing at a rapid pace, the flab was really flabby. I had excess skin hanging under my chin, that made me look like a chicken or a turkey. Most of that has firmed up, as skin is pretty elastic. It has firmed up in other parts of my body as well. I will always have a belly, sagging thighs, sagging upper arms, and a sagging behind. The first time I saw the back side of me in a changing room, I about died. I knew I didn't have a butt, but I didn't realize my butt had slid down to the top of my legs! Regardless, there will be no plastics for me. I am happy with the way I look even though I could look better. I look pretty darn good in my clothes, which makes me think that there is a lot of other people out there who look good in their clothes, but are far from perfect when they are naked! Oh and the upper arms? Next summer check out how many non-Dsers have flabby upper arms! They are everywhere! Good for you....love the attitude. and on the flabby arms, my Grandma (mom's mom) had those flabby arms when she got older. She was heavier at younger ages and slimmed down as she got older and the arms really swayed in the breeze. She was such a great lady so thank you for making me think of her and my Mom! I miss them both a great deal.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 26, 2014 12:56:57 GMT -5
Skin elasticity varies tremendously from person to person, and age plays a big role too.
|
|
|
Post by Girlrocker on Jan 26, 2014 13:06:04 GMT -5
Yes, they can really fix everything, sometimes not perfect but majorly improved, and sometimes its wow. Certain body parts respond better than others, and results are definitely specific to each person. As noted, its truly important to choose a surgeon who has specific experience in reconstruction related to major weight loss, it's much different than traditional 'fixes'. Surgeons who have worked with burn patients would know more than the average PS about our issues. It's tough to get covered by insurance beyond panni removal and maybe abdominoplasty, but stranger things have happened in some cases.
Skin elasticity definitely varies on a big range of factors. I was a lightweight and have skin problems like someone weighing far more. The older/longer we are obese, the more time everything has been 'stretched'. Women who have been pregnant often are stuck with loose skin and and that's less than 9 months of stretching, to give an example. Some people for genetic reasons (lucky!) don't have any loose skin at all or it really is modest and can be tightened up with weight/strenght training.
|
|
|
Post by fullhousemom on Jan 26, 2014 13:28:50 GMT -5
and on the flabby arms, my Grandma (mom's mom) had those flabby arms when she got older. She was heavier at younger ages and slimmed down as she got older and the arms really swayed in the breeze. She was such a great lady so thank you for making me think of her and my Mom! I miss them both a great deal.[/quote]
My grandma was a heavy lady. When I was too-young-to-know-better, I walked up to my grandma and pushed up on her upper arm. Those arms were like slinkies! I said, "Grandma, you sure have a lot of muscle." She lauged at me and said, "Oh honey, that ain't muscle! That's fat!"
I remember that like it was yesterday. She died on Valentine's Day, 1986. She was one of the most loving people I've ever met, and my sisters and I all genuinely believe that each of us was her sole favorite. Perhaps that's why I was never bothered much by how people looked. She was fat, and an incredible beautiful person.
|
|
|
Post by maggiesara on Jan 26, 2014 13:49:52 GMT -5
I do appreciate the responses BUT I don't want to look like anyone's grandmother, beloved though she may have been. I want arms like Michelle Obama's Instead I look like I'm preparing to smuggle jewelry out of occupied Poland. Actually, I look like I'm preparing to smuggle a few small children out of occupied Poland.
|
|
|
Post by Mariposa(Heather) on Jan 26, 2014 14:38:12 GMT -5
My kids love waterparks and we spend a lot of time at them. I have never been shy in a swimsuit but I wonder if that will change when I look all deflated after losing a bunch of weight. At least I will be able to run (or fly with my batwings?) up 8 flights of stairs to the best water slides without having to stop 687869 times to catch my breath.
|
|
|
Post by brooklyngirl on Jan 26, 2014 15:52:53 GMT -5
I do appreciate the responses BUT I don't want to look like anyone's grandmother, beloved though she may have been. I want arms like Michelle Obama's Instead I look like I'm preparing to smuggle jewelry out of occupied Poland. Actually, I look like I'm preparing to smuggle a few small children out of occupied Poland. Girl, I'm more self conscious to go sleeveless that I was almost 150 pounds ago! Even short sleeves look terrible now! When the time comes I'll try to get as much approved by insurance as possible, but there are some things that I'm sure I'll pay a decent amount for if/when we can ever afford it and if/when I can ever get over my fraidy-cat-ness!
|
|
mistercy
Full Member
Posts: 228
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 03/26/2013
Surgeon: Mitchell Roslin
|
Post by mistercy on Jan 26, 2014 16:04:31 GMT -5
I know I'm a guy, but I have a different take on all of this. I have wings, and I'm f'***n proud of it! Considering where I was in the past, I proudly display these badboys as proof of the progress I've made with those in the know. I'm not advocating going to red carpet events sleeveless, but those who you are close with should be able to handle the new you, because they also remember the old you. It's not how the skin looks on you, but how comfortable you are in your own skin. Flaunt it, baby!
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 26, 2014 16:35:17 GMT -5
Everybody is going to have different preferences and tolerances. And everybody should do what makes them comfortable. Let's not start telling people how they should or shouldn't feel about their own bodies.
My arms were disgusting before I had them fixed. I wanted to wear short sleeves and not look like an 80 year old. They are not perfect now, but they are way, way better than they were when they were hanging down 8 inches.
I did not need to feel comfortable in that skin - it was repulsive. Also, I was single when I had my DS. I wanted to look attractive. Sure, you can say "oh but a good person should love you anyway" -but first you have to be attractive to someone, way, way before they might love you.
So please, let's let everybody decide for themselves what's best for them and how to deal with their excess skin. It is not a one size fits all circumstance. One person's "proud" is another person's "vile." That's what makes a horse race.
|
|
|
Post by brooklyngirl on Jan 26, 2014 17:27:38 GMT -5
I know I'm a guy, but I have a different take on all of this. I have wings, and I'm f'***n proud of it! Considering where I was in the past, I proudly display these badboys as proof of the progress I've made with those in the know. I'm not advocating going to red carpet events sleeveless, but those who you are close with should be able to handle the new you, because they also remember the old you. It's not how the skin looks on you, but how comfortable you are in your own skin. Flaunt it, baby! I think you have a great attitude, I need to work on that
|
|
|
Post by hilary1617 on Jan 26, 2014 18:49:47 GMT -5
Let fashion be your friend. Elbow length and 3/4 sleeves can hide a lot of sins, if you will. For swimwear, there is always the rash guard... Also, Coolibar has a lot of swimwear that conceals as well as providing sun protection.
|
|
|
Post by Girlrocker on Jan 26, 2014 19:24:33 GMT -5
Everybody is going to have different preferences and tolerances. And everybody should do what makes them comfortable. Let's not start telling people how they should or shouldn't feel about their own bodies. My arms were disgusting before I had them fixed. I wanted to wear short sleeves and not look like an 80 year old. They are not perfect now, but they are way, way better than they were when they were hanging down 8 inches. I did not need to feel comfortable in that skin - it was repulsive. Also, I was single when I had my DS. I wanted to look attractive. Sure, you can say "oh but a good person should love you anyway" -but first you have to be attractive to someone, way, way before they might love you. So please, let's let everybody decide for themselves what's best for them and how to deal with their excess skin. It is not a one size fits all circumstance. One person's "proud" is another person's "vile." That's what makes a horse race. Correct, and that's exactly what everyone here is doing Expressing what defines their comfort level and how they approach it. Then we all make our decisions. For you your arms were disgusting; some people really are fine with it. I have a ton of excess skin that makes me unhappy, I'm single and often fret about the 'reveal' since clothes hide everything, show the shape I am when it's all tucked in and nice...but I've learned ot make some kind of peace with it. Partly because I have no idea if I'll ever get any of it approved by insurance, and partly because I just have. Maybe I'd feel differently if I were younger, too, but I guess at 50 something I've just come to terms. I haven't given up hope that I'll be able to get the rest of my arms done, abdominoplasty, lower body lift, back fat/side boobs removed...yes, my skin is pretty bad for someone who was a lightweight. Used to depress me deeply and I've been able to move past it.
|
|
Parousia
New Member
Switched: 19 Feb 2014
Posts: 48
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 19/02/2014
Surgeon: Peter Nottle
|
Post by Parousia on Jan 26, 2014 22:22:05 GMT -5
So, excess skin. Can they REALLY make this go away? Because I gotta tell ya, I now have upper arms like my Aunt Selma's, and this is not a good look. We won't even discuss the thighs. AND I'm expecting to drop another 60 pounds or so: I will look like a melting candle. Somebody tell me that the nice men in the white coats can fix this. This is something I've wondered about too. I've always been overweight, and was already mo in high school. I'm 47 now, but I feel like I've missed out on my youth, and really hope that I can eventually look good in a bathing suit (a one-piece - my abdomen is already covered in scars from previous abdominal surgery, unfortunately). I know that will take plastics (going by my stretch marks), but I'm wondering if even with them I will be able to achieve my goal. I've had large thighs for as long as I can remember, and truly hate them. I also have big arms, and they are already flabby without any weight loss! I hope they will improve. But my thighs are the biggie for me. Is it possible that I could ever have nice thighs, even with weight-loss and plastics?
|
|
|
Post by brooklyngirl on Jan 26, 2014 22:24:53 GMT -5
Let fashion be your friend. Elbow length and 3/4 sleeves can hide a lot of sins, if you will. For swimwear, there is always the rash guard... Also, Coolibar has a lot of swimwear that conceals as well as providing sun protection. What's a rash guard?
|
|
|
Post by Girlrocker on Jan 26, 2014 22:43:02 GMT -5
Let fashion be your friend. Elbow length and 3/4 sleeves can hide a lot of sins, if you will. For swimwear, there is always the rash guard... Also, Coolibar has a lot of swimwear that conceals as well as providing sun protection. I'm pretty much thinking you should copyright that - "Let Fashion Be Your Friend" - I'll buy the t-shirt and spanx wear. And yes, what is a rash guard?
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 26, 2014 22:44:24 GMT -5
Rashguard aka swim shirt - made to protect you from the sun.
|
|
mistercy
Full Member
Posts: 228
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 03/26/2013
Surgeon: Mitchell Roslin
|
Post by mistercy on Jan 27, 2014 0:04:06 GMT -5
Thanks, Lauren! I'm trying to build this attitude, as there are certain things that I'm not going to be able to change anytime soon.
Sharyl, I really like the way you expressed this. That's exactly what I was trying to do, express my comfort level and how I approach it. I can't judge for anyone else and their comfort level. I'm going to get the tummy tuck as part of an upcoming hernia surgery (SO nervous about this!), but the arms and buttocks will have to wait for later, so I can either be self-conscious about it, or in my own way, am going to wear it proudly when I am with friends and loved ones.
Also, for a good option, take a look at Sun Safe 3/4 swimwear by ahiida.com. Those do a good job of covering up a lot of trouble areas. The company I used to work for wrote feature articles about their creation of the Burqini, swimwear designed for Muslim women who need to be completely covered up, and their innovational designs.
|
|
|
Post by maggiesara on Jan 27, 2014 0:57:37 GMT -5
I think what I like best about the Burqini -- and I must tell you, I find just SO many things to choose from! -- is that the website on which I found Burqinis for sale, offered swimwear in three categories: Men, Children, and "Others."
|
|
|
Post by Leonie on Jan 27, 2014 1:53:20 GMT -5
There is definitely no bikini in my forseeable future. I used to be beachball shaped, now I am a definite apple. Albeit a saggy one. I love the swimsuits with skirts. My wings are another matter. All the pretty dresses are made to show off those shapely arms and our summers are sunny and hot. I decided to get over it. I do think that they have tightened a bit since I started working out. My face has definitely smoothed out in the last six months.
|
|
|
Post by hilary1617 on Jan 27, 2014 11:03:06 GMT -5
My skin is tightening up / shrinking nicely in most places. In the others, there's smoke and mirrors, a.k.a fabric and dim lighting.
I've had plastics in the past, many moons pre-DS (septo-rhinoplasty, panniculectomy / abdominoplasty), so I understand wanting to look one's best and going under the knife to do so. The risks just aren't worth it to me at this stage. Plus, there's no guarantee of looking as intended afterward. As example, my bellybutton is about 2 inches to the left of where it should be now following my panniculectomy/abdominoplasty. More importantly, following that surgery, I had pulmonary emboli (multiple filling defects) which very nearly took my life.
For those seeking plastics, please do the due diligence on the surgeon and hospital, the way you did for DS.
Rashguards are swim shirts used by surfers, I think to prevent abrasion from their boards, but they are more widely used for sun protection. They come in short and long sleeve forms and can conceal batwings while still looking fairly sporty. I usually swim in board shorts and a rashguard with a supportive bra-sized bikini underneath.
That said, my arms have definitely bounced back and any extra skin there is barely noticeable now. I wear the rashguard mainly to hide scars and my pasty skin from the sun. My thighs are proving less resilient than my arms, though I am hopeful that my knees will not have a double chin at some point in the not too distant future... I think the fact that I wear compression stockings is helping tighten them up, but progress is slow.
|
|
|
Post by tina9999 on Jan 27, 2014 11:26:34 GMT -5
Leonie,
I'm not sure if that's a dress or a blouse, but that color and neckline looks really pretty on you.
|
|
|
Post by calidreamer on Jan 27, 2014 18:43:53 GMT -5
John LoMonaco - he was the plastic surgeon on the TV show Big Medicine. That guy is an artist. If I ever get the $ and weight loss to justify it...he's the one!
|
|
|
Post by Girlrocker on Jan 27, 2014 19:01:46 GMT -5
Mistercy- you know, work in progress as they say. I went through a horrible time after my RNY where I was really depressed. I felt 'unfinished'. And there's a part of me that still feels that way, especially now that I actually have gotten to my weight goal. I had a flicker of sadness again, like I was still on the wrong side of the glass. But it has passed, and I can see a lot of the benefit of all the years of exercise, strength training and bootcamp now, totally a smoke and mirrors thing and I seem to have it down. Part of me is a little reluctant too I think, because I had such a bad time with my RNY, a smooth revision and there's a voice saying 'don't push your luck'. However, I have a THIRD hernia and I think I'm due an abdominoplasty so we'll see about that, not pursuing it yet! Ok, rashguard, roger that, you would think living in LA amidst surfers everywhere I would know that but no... Burquini, I did a double take on that, and thought, she's kidding...right...NOPE!
|
|