[MrsJim]

Originally Posted by tilley

First, I am 28 and have not had kids. Is it useless to have the excess skin removed around my abdomen before I have kids? But I feel like I'm young NOW and I want to look young while I'm young. And while I'm young I want to wear cute skirts, shorts and bathing suits... and they still don't look good.

I lost 88 pounds, and sometimes I feel like I look worse now. I'm not comfortable in my body. My boyfriend is supportive and says he thinks I'm beautiful... but I'm not comforable around him...

But I'm torn because I do want kids and I'm afraid to do this if it will be useless after I have children.

Personally (and what my own surgeon advises) I would say that if you have plans for kids in the future, it would be optimal to wait until after you've had your children - that way you won't have to have a revision!

What *I* would do if I were you...start a savings account for your surgery and put a little aside each month towards that goal. Have your babies...lose the baby weight...and maintain that weight while you start researching plastic surgeons in your area.

[Meg]

Tilley -- boy, can I relate to the "I lost all this weight and now I look worse" feeling! It's still worth it to have all the fat gone, but it sure can be disheartening sometimes when we look in the mirror.

If the skin really is bothering you NOW, maybe go see a doctor and ask his/her opinion about the skin and babies and all. I think Mrs. Jim's right that they generally advise you to wait until after you're done having babies, but only a doctor can tell you for sure and then you can evalutate that info in terms of your personal life and future plans.