Facing excess skin removal surgery

[velocitygirl]

Over the past two years I have lost 135 lbs, and the reality of losing this much weight is finally starting to hit me. I carried most of my weight around the middle, classic apple shape, with two belly bulges. I'm only 5'4 so I was almost as big around as I was tall at my highest weight of 296lbs. Looking back at older pictures it's hard to believe I ever looked that way. I feel absolutely amazing, I have so much more energy and I can do things now that I could never do before. I've also discovered my passion for running!!

However, as good as I feel physically, mentally I am a mess right now. I had my first consultation with a plastic surgeon, and he seems great, I've heard nothing but good things about his work. Great, right? Except I am freaking out!! I had inquired about a tummy tuck, thigh lift, arm lift and breast lift and I thought I was prepared for what he was going to tell me. I researched ahead of time and read about all the procedures, but I was completely overwhelmed. For my tummy tuck I will need an extended tuck or fleur de lis type tummy tuck, where they cut down the centre of your body and across the hips. I do have a lot of excess skin in this area, and I guess I was just naive thinking a regular tummy tuck would suffice. He said this will give a much better result, but I will have much more scarring than I originally thought. I guess at this point it's a trade off, excess skin or scars. There's no doubt in my mind that I will go through with the surgery because looking at the excess skin every day is really affecting my self esteem, and to be honest it's quite uncomfortable as well, especially when I'm exercising.

I guess what I'm looking for is to talk to people that have gone through similar surgeries so that I know what to expect, particularly how the surgery has affected you and how you feel about the scars. I have about 15 more pounds to lose before I do the surgery, he said being as close to your ideal weight is better for results. So potentially I could have the surgery in the early spring. Any information would most helpful.

I just love this little guy, lol.

[L144S]

Welcome! Amazing on your WL! you will be a true inspiration here at 3fc!

Go check out the make me Heal message boards. it is a board about plastic surgery with lots of helpful information by lots of people going to have you type of surgery and those that have been through it.

You just won't find the kind of answers you are looking for on the 3fc boards and I want you to feel good about your choice.

I will say that I had some cosmetic surgery last winter, the MMH board was invaulable. Also when you doecide that you want to go through with the surgery, you have to stop reading the boards and just be "ok " with your choice.
Good luck :-)

[pHat gurl]

My first post!

I had an extended tummy tuck in March after losing 280 pounds.

Don't worry about the scar you'll get in exchange for that excess skin, the scar is a minor issue. Really, REALLY do your research before you go under the knife. The Make Me Heal Forum already mentioned is an EXCELLENT resource. Be sure to read up there about how long swelling actually occurs and damage to the lymphatic system. I felt really great before I had this surgery but looked like a deflated truck innertube. Now I LOOK great but six months after surgery I still don't FEEL all that great. That's a much bigger tradeoff than scar for skin.

Whatever you decide, congratulations on your weight loss. It's an amazing accomplishment!

[velocitygirl]

Thank you ladies for the website recommendation, I will definitely check it out. This whole process is quite overwhelming, so talking with people that have had similar surgeries I think will be quite helpful.

L144S thank you for the encouragement!

pHat gurl you've given me something else to think about other than the scarring, I will definitely be doing some more research before I book anything. Right now I'm more in contemplation mode, but I'm starting to accept the trade off will be worth it for me. Congratulations on your amazing weight loss! How has maintenance been for you since having the surgery? It's something I worry about.

[xty]

I just got a plastic surgery consult as well.

My plastic surgeon gave me a couple pieces of info to consider and discuss with your own dr:
- leg lifts especially are hard because of the location of the scar, it often stretches.
- for the leg lift, the dr used her hands to pull up the skin and then said that the most my hands could pull would be a little better than what the surgery's best case scenario would be
- the leg work, especially if you add on any lipo takes longer to drain and heal since the circulation in the extremities is lessened.
You dont say how long you have been at your current weight and you havent quite reached goal yet (though holy wow I am amazed at your immense success!). Since I know my skin will keep tightening for at least a year after weight is stable, I personally decided to wait on surgery and focus on super eating (for skin! omega 3, all colors of produce and veggie for max nutrient and antioxidant).

[velocitygirl]

Hey xty, congrats on your weight loss and surgery consult. It's taken me 2 years to get to my current weight, I've had 2 plateau periods in there that seemed to last forever, and one set back due to a knee injury. I'm hoping to have surgery at some point in the new year.

The main concern for me is my stomach since that is where I carried most of my weight, there is just way too much skin for it ever to go back to normal. I'm sure it will tighten up a bit on it's own, that's what I'm hoping for on my arms and legs, as I think they will have to wait for another surgery. The plastic surgeon said it would be too much to do all at once, so breaking it up seems to be the way to go and I'm going to do the ones that bother me the most first.

For your thigh lift did they suggest a vertical incision or just an incision in the leg crease? My surgeon was optimistic that I wouldn't need a vertical incision in that area, so I was happy about that.

I have to say that the whole process of going for the consult was very emotional for me and I was a bit thrown by how extensive it is. I mean this is major surgery! I was freaked out quite a bit and I wasn't prepared for all the feelings that it stirred up in me. It actually prompted me to seek some counselling, and I have to say that so far it seems to be helping quite a bit. In the mean time I keep working away at it, eating clean does seem to help a lot, I've noticed major changes in my skin.

[matt_H]

For anyone who has done this, how long have you remained at goal weight before deciding on the surgery?

I think I want to give myself at least 1 year or possibly 2 before going for a consultation. Hopefully things will improve on its own.

[xty]

velocitygirl - just the leg crease incision. but my dr said because of the location + gravity, those scars tend to stretch the most and can be pretty ugly.

matt_H - After getting below 130lbs I plan on waiting a year before going back for another plastic surgery consult.

[L144S]

Matt,
nothing happens at the consultation except you get the info about what the Dr. thinks is going to be best surgery for you. you DO NOT have to have surgery just because you have the consult. A a matter of fact if you don't have a specific dr in mind, more than one consult is not a bad ide either!

As for the thigh lift. I have a skin condition where I had the sweat glands and the infected skin removed and essentially it was the thight lift surgery.

the scars run in the panty line front to back and for me are far better than the skin condition. it took more than a year before I could wear underware (kid you not) but all in all the scar is not bad, I can wear a swimsuit without noticing them and I don't think about it at all anymore. It also took a long time for feeling to come back into that area.

I do recomend that ANYONE having any kind of plastic surgery do it in the colder months. here in the North East October is great. After surgery you have to wera compression garments that get very warm and it is easy to cover them with clothing. Summer/warm weather makes the swelling worse, in my book.