Body Image and Issues after Weight Loss - Getting surgery this week for loose skin

Hi guys, as I posted in the 20somethings forum, I am getting plastic surgery on Tuesday finally! This is to deal with the loose skin problems that I have from losing weight. I'm getting a lower body lift and a breast augmentation. This is the first surgery that I want... I also want my arms, inner thighs and back done later... but I digress, let's go one at a time here. :lol:
This is the first surgery I've ever had in my life, in fact, and I'm nervous about it and about the recovery. I hope everything goes well and I think it will. :) I will definitely post updates to let you know how everything goes, and some before/after photos, in case there are others out there who are hoping to have similar procedures.

i had a tummy tuck 11 years ago after losing a large amount of weight, best thing i ever did, good for you.... i have since gained back 60lbs and am working on losing that now

Congratulations on such a big step, Please keep us posted. Weigh yourself before and and after surgery, I am always curious how much loose skin weighs, I have a lot of it.

Congratulations!! I know how exciting and scary this is but relax and you'll do just fine. :hug: I had my lower body lift in 2003 and it's the best thing I did for myself. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and we can't wait to hear all about it!

Bargoo, excess skin itself doesn't weigh very much. My doctor estimated only a few pounds once it's drained of fluid (they actually hold it up and let the fluid drain back into your body before they remove it). You hear about people losing a lot of weight with skin removal but that happens when fat is attached to the skin that's removed. In my case, I only lost about 2 - 3 pounds because I was at a low body fat % (my excess skin was paper thin) but once the swelling went down, my pants were noticeably bigger.

Oh wow, congrats! If you don't mind me asking (and don't worry about answering if you do) but did you have to get a lift with the augmentation? I'm really wanting to get an augmentation but I'm afraid of the lift part, I've heard it's sometimes not necessary to have a lift with the augmentation. I guess it all depends on what your surgeon thinks, but I'm trying to do a little research before I go ahead. Anyway, well done on the weight loss and hope you have a speedy recovery!

Good luck SurferChick!


Congrats on your weight loss, too!

I would be curious to know roughly how much the surgery is costing, if you don't mind my asking.

I have only lost 45 lbs. so far, but already I am seeing wrinkles starting to develop on my stomach. I'm still 225-ish lbs. and have a long ways to go, so I'm pretty sure my whole tummy area is going to be a big mass of loose skin at the end of my journey... I'm a teacher & don't earn a lot of money but would be willing to save up if the cost were within my reach.

Best wishes for a speedy and comfortable recovery - be good to yourself, don't push, rest as much as you need. Post before/after pics! :)

From those of you who have had this surgery, thanks so much for the reassurance! Meg and Savora, it's great to know it's all worth it. :)
Bargoo, I definitely will weigh myself but like Meg said, skin doesn't weigh much--I will likely also be having fat removed.
Citymouse... about 16 grand Canadian for a lower body lift and breast augmentation together. If you're American I'm not sure how much it would cost you. But yeah, definitely not cheap!

Citymouse... about 16 grand Canadian for a lower body lift and breast augmentation together. If you're American I'm not sure how much it would cost you. But yeah, definitely not cheap!

Woah... I had no idea. Well, congrats again on having it done! That is wonderful....

OK now I'm going to go get a piggy bank and start saving up!

: P

I would love to have it done, but I have health issues that make it not advisable. citymouse , I wish I only had wrinkles. I've got a big apron of loose skin. UGLY !

Bargoo, if it makes you feel any better -- you have lots of company. I am only 1/3 of the way on my weight loss journey -- I still have a good 80 lbs. to lose --- and the best I can hope for is that some day I will join your ranks and also be complaining about my apron!

Better to have the loose skin than all of those excess pounds you worked so hard to shed!

Hang in there...!

Clothes cover a multitude of sins !

oh GOOD LUCK!!!!
Please let us all know how you are doing afterwards!!!! :hug: :hug: :hug:

I'm sure you will find it well worth it in the end!!! :)

Please keep us updated on how you're doing! Alhough I plan to wait at least a year after I reach goal to see how things ultimately settle, I'll likely end up having to do some kind of procedure to tighten things up a bit. I would love to know how everything goes for you!!