Those of you who have lost 100 pounds or more, what has happened to your tummy apron? Did it melt? Is it still there on a smaller scale? Did exercise make it go away?

I am terrified of being thin, but still having this thing hanging off of me. Don't get me wrong, it isn't stopping me because I'd rather be thin with it than how I am now. I am just wondering if I should be saving $$ for a tummy tuck.

Everyone is different. Here is the weight loss and skin faq which is very helpful:
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/body...skin-faqs.html

There are a lot of things that go into how you will look like when you lose weight including your current age, how long you have been overweight, where you store your fat, your genes, etc.

I ended up with quite a stomach apron even though I exercised the whole time. Mine would have to be surgically removed. Don't let that discourage you because we're all different in what shape we end up with! I was apple shaped and carried most of my weight in my abdominal area, so it really comes as no surprise. It doesn't bother me enough to do anything about, but if you think it might be an issue for you, definitely start saving now for the surgery! It will make a nice reward to keep in mind as you work towards your goal.

I have the same concerns, and have been obsessively researching all the skin stuff, and it comes down to what is in the link the pp posted - it's all depends on your own skin.

I have lost a little over 30 pounds, and honestly I expect to have some loose skin down there as I progress. So far it's not too bad, and it seems to have shrunk up with my belly, but I know there's going to be some. Most of the reason why I think this is because when I was pregnant, I had a little bit of skin hanging there below the baby (TMI, sorry!!).

I do moisturize and also do take fish oil, in hopes it will reduce it - because a tummy tuck is way far off in my future, if ever.

OH, I know mine will still be there. I have had 2 pregnancies and like the poster above mine hung below baby too...
I don't know if surgery will be in the works or not - maybe for my 30th bday 5 years from now.

I sometimes wonder about what will become of my horrible apron. I figure what ever is there I earned as a battle scar. I have carried 4 babies (one who was born 4 weeks early at 9lbs5oz) and had 4 c-sections... I figure things will never be perfect down there.. but even now with all my fat I look at my stretch marks and it happily reminds me of all those kicks and pokes and hiccups I will never feel again.

I'm expecting a tummy tuck in my future. I hate the idea of surgery (I've had plenty already!) but it's pretty bad already, I don't want to even think about 60 lbs from now.

Mine will always be there. I'm sure of it. I've literally been obese my entire life (save for a time or two when I just dropped down to overweight). That coupled with two pregnancies & two c-sections, I really don't think it will ever go away.

And I've decided that I really don't give a damn

I've had three c-sections and lost 180 pounds. It's SHRANK considerably but it's still there.

I'm not down 100 yet but getting closer. This is always where I've carried extra weight even before I gained the 100 so not expecting a flat abdomen when I'm done. But it's not drooping any lower than it did 84 lbs ago so I'm encouraged that I'll be able to live with the final results without wishing for tummy tuck.

I'm closing in on 100lb lost and mine doesn't seem to hang down quite as low as it did actually before I started my journey. I am worried it's still going to be bad when I get to goal but I've lived with it for this long, and the thought of an operation to remove it and then not being able to exercise for weeks afterwards fills me with more dread than living with it.

About 88 pounds lost, and my apron definitely doesn't hang as low as it did. It's a lot smaller, too. I expect it'll keep improving.

While I understand the wish we all have to look like the mystical supermodel...terror seems like a bit of an extreme emotion to attach to how a body part might look? It's just a belly, that won't show in "thin" clothing, and can easily be hidden in a cute swimsuit.

I dunno, I just *enjoy* my body so much now. It's so strong and capable, and I look danged fine I'm not going to mourn over what it might look like at some point in the future.

maybe it's a combo of never having children, and losing weight over 2 years, but my stomach looks ok. I'm not completely done yet, but so far so good. I'm not strutting around in a bikini mind you LOL but if my shirt rides up when i reach for something i'm ok with it it amazes me WHERE DID IT GO?? where'd it ALL GO?? lol it's very weird! i love taking up way less room on the planet

All the feedback is really inspiring! I do hope that mine continues to shrink, but I agree - I've decided just to live with it if it doesn't! Still really worth it!

Its what I hate the absolute most about my body... the tummy apron. I don't know what I'll do, or how I'll afford it but if I get down to goal and its still there TOO noticably and nasty... yeah, I'll find a way to get it taken care of. I know it's shallow, and I know there's really not a point... but frankly I'm sick of it twisting and warping my sense of self and happiness! Call me psychologically weak, but I don't care anymore! lol!