I will try to get help from my insurance company but I don't expect much. I've already starting saving for any potential plastic surgery. The way i look at it is that it is about the same as buying a car (or if you have a lot of surgery, like buying a very expensive car). So in my view if I can buy a car, then I can have plastic surgery.

I also think its worth fixing if you can. I think the cost varies depending on how extensive the surgery needs to be. IMHO, this is totally worth it to not go through life not wanting anyone, even an SO, to see one's body. Life is just so darn short.

That's something you're going to need to work on emotionally. Loose skin or the lack thereof won't worsen, or lessen this feeling. That's something deep inside that likely stems from other issues in your past. So even if you managed to have no loose skin, there would still be something you'd feel self-conscious about, or even see things to be self-conscious about that aren't even really there.

I had lots of low self-esteem myself. My husband helped bring me out of that. That and counseling and just working through my issues with my family. It wasn't until after my self-esteem started getting better that I decided to lose my weight. I think my low self-esteem was what always held me back before.

If one has a body part that's not objectively pretty or is not how nature intended (i.e. loose skin, a scar, lots of fatty tissue - all of which "aint going nowhere" no matter how much weight you loose) and you fix it, I could see how that could positively affect your self-esteem. Not so sure she would automatically focus on something else to make her unhappy.

That is exactly what my gp doctor said to me. She is also in the midst of planning a wedding and so she was like....... "hmm, I could get that done and just cut back on frivolous expenses for the wedding...."

Also, if you think about it, if you can afford an education you can afford ps. I mean, 4 years of college can run about $100k.

I've had plastic surgery (I now happily have boobs ) and have considered liposuction. Affording it isn't the real problem - as they DO have a "finance plan" (I paid for one boob & financed the other, LOL). If your credit is decent & you can make monthly payments, you can do just about any plastic surgery you want.

But I wouldn't be so quick to jump on the table for the skin problem.

Have you tried any skin techniques such as BODY BRUSHING....?? You'd be amazed really! - our bodies are not the only things we need to "work out". Your skin needs a work out too! - Body brushing is ages old, and quick & easy & not expensive. You just need to be religious about it... do it EVERY DAY. Even if you DO have plastic surgery, I'd still do the body brushing after you're healed. It's just good for your skin. IMHO.

BP - Would you mind explaining what body brushing is? Thank you!

Body brushing is good for your skin, but it WON'T "fix" or retract extra skin. Check out the Skin FAQ in maintainers for more information.

There is a particular kind of brush made with particular bristles - and you use it to literally "brush" your skin. A certain technique is used - quick short strokes - starting with your hands, up your arms, chest, then your feet, up your legs, buttocks & stomach - to help your skin rid itself of excess fluids, etc.

Your skin is an elimination organ. Everything you eat, drink, inhale, etc. will come out through your skin. So it makes sense that stimulating your skin is helpful to your skin.

I don't know that it would or would not help with the excess skin from large weight loss, but it might. Even if it doesn't, it's still good for you. It helps get rid of ashiness, which we all face as we age.