[barbygirl43]

I've lost 40 pounds so far and I am losing all over but my belly that I acquired in two pregnancies is still hanging down pretty far. I was just wondering from those of you who have been there, when I can expect to see it not hanging down so far?
TIA

[Mel]

Hi Dawnyal

When you see changes in your belly really depends on the elasticity of your skin. Some people with much larger weighlosses have ended up with lovely flat bellies, and some with less still had belly skin. The factors which determine how your body will change are individual to you alone. You might want to read the first thread on this forum board "Weightloss and Skin FAQs" for some info that we put together for questions like this.

No matter what you read, keep in mind that you won't know how your body will react until you get there

Mel

[barbygirl43]

Thank you Mel. I did look over at the skin FAQ before posting. It still has a lot of fat in there as well as the skin so I wasn't sure if it will shrink and get firmer or hang down a ways.

[MrsJim]

My two cents...just give it TIME...most ethical plastic surgeons (that means surgeons who truly want you to have great results and aren't looking for a fast buck) will want you to maintain a steady weight for a MINIMUM of six months before they do a tummy tuck - my PS (whom I ADORE) prefers that her patients maintain a steady weight for at LEAST a year.

Give it a year - meanwhile RESEARCH as much as you can...if you decide you want to go the plastic surgery route, research the heck out of surgeons, there are a LOT out there but you really, really need to shop around. If you decide not to go the surgical route - don't be flimflammed by the expensive 'skin tightening' lotions - just go for the cheap stuff. (My favorite body lotion "Cat's Pajamas" I buy for $8.50 a bottle!).

[barbygirl43]

Thank Karen. After reading your post, I did much introspection and wrote in my journal. (I'm pathetic. I keep an online journal on blogger and fitday and I still like my old fashioned just write out my thoughts). Anyway it made me realize that I'm just being impatient. I'm seeing wonderful results all over my body--except that flap that hangs down almost to the top of my legs. I mean I can literally place my hands between my belly and pubic area and keep my hands warm. The jest of the conversation I had with myself is that it took me 2+ years to put that belly there and I can't expect it to come off in under 1