...or anyone who has alot of weight to lose.

With 20 more lbs to go, I am starting to feel a little down. I have lost 120 lbs...at my goal, it will 140 lbs.

My question is this...are you planning on doing anything about the (how should I say) extra skin that is hanging?

I am having dual feelings about my weight loss. While I am more than thrilled to be where I am and to have my health back, I can't help but feel grossed out when I look in the mirror.

My husband has been nice about it & he is just so thrilled to have a healthy wife again. I think that he has thought I was just yacking when I talked about surgery. Lately, he is really not too keen on the idea.

I understand that there are risks, I know that I could look alot worse...it's just hard to come as far as I have and still not be able to wear a bathing suit or cute clothes because of the skin.

Please, let me know if you have thought about this.

I know that I am only in the situation because of my own fault...but please, I feel bad enough...no mean comments.

Thanks for your help and your support.

Oh boy, sb, I've thought about this. I've lost 50 lbs. and would like to lose at least 60 more. Already I can see what you're talking about, especially in my face. But at age 62 I decided I can live with it. I can cover up with the best of 'em. Now, let me say that I lived practically my whole life as a fairly thin person. It's only within the past 10 years that I gained about 120 lbs. So if you are a younger woman, I can understand your wanting to do something about it, but be careful and do a lot of serious thinking before you committ to anything. Won't your skin shrink after a while?
It seems that I've heard that, so you might consider waiting or consult with a dermatologist as to what you might expect as far as improvement.

And really,losing all that weight is wonderful. You know, you are so close to your goal, do you think something else might be at work here? Do you think there might be a big hole in your life once you get there? Maybe keep the surgery as an option for the future and just live your life as a healthy person for awhile. You might find that you will be just as happy without it. Please take your time; you're worth it.

Jo

Jo- thanks for responding.

Surgery isn't something that I want to jump into...it scares me.

I am planning on spending a while at my goal weight, getting "settled in".

I plan on working on my muscles to get toned & then deciding.

I am 40. I have been fat my whole life. There is no way this skin is going to get any better. I have the skin of a 270 lb. person on a 150 lb. body. Without getting too graphic, I can literally lift it up off my body.

Don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful life & family. I don't want for anything.

I sorta have mixed feelings...I can't tell you how happy I am for being healthier. For the first time, I can buy clothes that aren't plus size.

But, I look horrible in a bathing suit or anything sleeveless. I guess it would be more of an issue if I lived in Miami or something.

It's just disappointing, to finally have a thinner body, but to look gross in it.

I guess I am feeling sorry for myself today. Can you tell?

Thanks for listening!

Perhaps it would be worth seeing someone who specialises in the area just to see what can be done. You dont have to rush into anything but it would be worth knowing your precise options.

Sb, there's a whole thread about this somewhere... hang on and I'll find it for you.
There's nothing wrong with what you're thinking about, sweetie...
Back in a sec...

Ah... here it is...
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36040

Here's another link, Sb...
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39946

Wow! Thanks Ellis, that was very informative.

Well I personally do not have this experience but I think if its something that truly bothers you THAT much, and you can afford it comfortabley, you should do it. I've only seen what they do on shows like extreme makeover etc.. and it makes such a difference its unbelievable. I mean you worked so hard to lose that weight, you shouldn't be unhappy with your body now right? But again I don't know exactly what you are going through either. In any case I think it comes down to how much it bothers you and how much you want it. Good luck!

I've lost 85 pounds so far and have a lot of extra skin on my inner thighs. I have a little on my stomach and underarms but I'm so embarassed of my thighs. I saw a dermatologist about my rosacia and I was telling him about my legs and showed him and he looked so shocked and said when I get to my goal weight (another 35 pounds) that I really should get that taken care of. I rarely wear shorts and I won't even let dh see them. I'm scared to death of surgry though and keep thinking about what if something happens. I have a 2 year old to think about. I figured I'll wait until I get there and decide then. I'm working out with a personal trainer and am toning up and losing inches but I know nothing will get rid of the extra thigh skin but surgery. I'm 27 so I have age going for me but unfortunately my thighs will need work. My dh always tells me I'm beautiful and he'll support me no matter what I decide. In a way I feel bad because it seems like such a shallow thing to do but it also drags me down and makes me unhappy with my body. I have low self esteem from it. Dh said if it'll make me feel better about myself and raise my self esteem then I should go for it. I just don't know. I completely understand your situation and wish I could be of better help. I think it's up to each of us to decide what's important and what's not. I also wanted a boob job but feel that's also superficial. I've always been heavy since I was 3. Even at 260 pounds I was an A cup though. Now that I'm down 85 pounds I'm completely flat and feel embarrassed abut it. I have such a hard time fitting into clothes because of the lack of boobs. I even have a padded bra I wear and I still look flat. It'a so pathetic. Dh doesn't think I should get it done because he doesn't care about my chest size but to me it's another thing that makes me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I just don't know what to do. I know I'd feel better about myself with the thigh tuck and boob job but I fight with myself about the risks and whether its superficial and I shouldn't care about some extra skin or having no boobs. Sorry for rambling so long but I feel your pain and no matter what you decide; do it for yourself. There's no right or wrong.

SB/Denise you have to do what is right for you and what is going to make you feel good. You have worked hard to get this weight off and there is nothing wrong with wanting to get rid of "leftovers"! I know my husband will never agree but when I reach goal I am beggin for a tummy tuck. My ds weighed almost 10lbs. so there are stretch marks everywhere. I never intend to wear a bikini or anything else that shows my belly but it is something that will make me feel better about me. Now I would like to have a boob lift as well not implants I was blessed in that area just kinda give 'em a lift! tee-hee But that is no biggie compared to my tummy. Although another 30 lbs and they might be! haha But please do not ever think bad of yourself for wanting to improve yourself. Of course your husband if he knows what is good for him like most men are going to say you are fine with me dear and I know for my dh he could care less. But they need to realize that we live in these bodies daily and look at them daily. What they see and what we see are two different bodies! I say talk with your doctor check it out and do what you know in your heart is the right thing to do!

I think you should do what will ultimately make you happy. WIthout a happy you, it's hard to have happy's around you! Thank goodness you have dh's that will support you either way. You have come so very far along this road and truly deserve what you want. Good luck either way, and don't rush anything. :hugs: