I have my date, but now I find myself really scared

[brandymaga29]

I went to my doctor yesterday and they gave me a date for my surgery. I was so excited but I was also really nervous. I find myself watching videos of people with the extra skin and wondering could I like my body when I look like that. At least when Im fat its solid and not layers of skin. Im sorry if that sounds bad I'm just worried what it will do to my mental health when I loose alot of weight and have all that skin. I know its better than being sick and dying from being over weight but I'm still really scared. I just dont know what to do. =(

 

[Pat99]

Brandy-Welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting your surgery date Since the loose skin happens gradually so I'm thinking it will make the transition a little easier. You will probably notice it first on your upper arms. I'm an older gal so I'm not too concerned about how much skin I will end up with but if it causes any issues like rashes or even a skin infection then I will consider having it removed. If not I will just camoflague it with clothes. Most insurance's will cover skin removal as long as it isn't for cosmetic purposes so there are options available for you. You are going to feel so much better once the scale moves in the right direction that I'm guessing you might not mind the loose skin so much as you think.

 

[Javajoy]

Hi Brandy,

Welcome to the Forum. My thoughts on it are as follows. What was most important to me? It was to get healthy, to be able to walk around the store without a walker, get back to dancing, be able to play with my Grandchildren, none of which I could do before. I have thought about the loose skin but only briefly. The arms is where it first started appearing. I will probably have some belly and upper leg loose skin too. I still have a ways to go. My doctor says to wait about two years after reaching goal to decide on plastic surgery because some of that will go away on its own. If it does cause problems those decisions can be made then. I figured it was better to get healthy first and then decide what I wanted to do. I chose not to worry about the other stuff at this point or before I even had surgery. I kind of feel like Pat, cover it up with clothing, that works for an elderly widow like me and if you are young and can't stand it you can have plastic surgery, it is available out there. I have seen some done with the patients in my support group and they did great.

Good luck on your journey. Joy

 

[I-Did-WHAT]

Welcome.

I too was a bit grossed out about the extra skin thing before my surgery. If you're young, your skin will likely have enough elasticity to draw up as you lose weight AND exercise (there are plenty of online references for problem areas).

Stay hydrated: Plenty of water and fluids.
Some sort of moisturizer every day on all of your body. Apply it with attention and care, pressure as with a gentle massage, as that will help keep circulation moving, too.

I'm down 85 pounds, three shirt sizes. I can tell things are loosening and then tightening as I exercise. I don't have gobs of skin anywhere and I'm not a gym rat. I have problem areas and I know what I need to do to tighten them up. I'm 41. I don't think I'm going to reverse time and look 17 again, and I didn't do this for my appearance—but we all find a little vanity in our journey, I think.