Lost 170 pounds but now what?

_Abby25
_Abby25 Posts: 2 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi everyone. I don't want to go into too much detail and bore everyone but I came here looking for some positive advice.

I have always been 'chubby' but it got really bad starting at about 12-13 years old. I turned to food for comfort because I had a very dysfunctional family and a very bad teenage life. I know that's not an excuse, but it is what it is. I pretty much stopped taking care of myself.

I was morbidly obese until I started my weight loss journey at age 22. I'm now 25 and have lost a total of 170 pounds.

I'm a lot healthier now. I hit the gym about 4 times a week and continue to eat healthy. I'm finally getting my life together. Everything seems fantastic right?

Well not really. I'm someone who has tried to stay as positive as possible through out all of this but it's hard. My body is looking a hot mess from all of this weight loss. I have ugly loose/saggy skin everywhere. My stomach hangs down far and gets sore. My thighs and arms are very saggy and it's embarrassing to wear shorts and sleeveless tops. And a dating/sex life? That's pretty much non existent. If I'm not comfortable with my body how could I ever have a healthy relationship?

Now I don't know about most people who have gone through a massive weight loss, but I don't have $20k that these plastic surgeons are quoting me for, just to get excess skin removed in 3 areas. I don't even have 1/3 of that in my savings account. Heck, I'll probably never have that amount of money saved up, I have lots of bills to pay. People tell me to finance, financing a 20k plus interest bill seems like a nightmare waiting to happen. Insurance is no help in this situation

What am I suppose to do? Am I suppose to continue to be unhappy and uncomfortable?

Replies

  • Rurufit
    Rurufit Posts: 44 Member
    First of all congratulations on your loss. Thats huge! Secondly i really dont know anything that might help with excess skin but surgery. The only thing you can do is be proud of yourself, be confident, and most of all be happy about your success. You have to embrace you new healthy body and try not to let the excess skin bother you. I know its hard but you can do it. I gave birth 5 months ago and i have terrible stretch marks all over my belly and love handles and i mean TERRIBLE! but thats not holding me back, im going for my goal and i have decided to live with them. Regarding dating.. if someone REALLY loves you they will see your imperfections perfect. My husband has loved me through it all no matter how fat/thin i looked. You should never settle down for less than you deserve and always be confident :)
  • xX_PhoenixRising_Xx
    xX_PhoenixRising_Xx Posts: 623 Member
    I think you need to work on accepting it. And I say that having lost 155 lbs myself, I'm actually 175 lbs down from my top weight (that was full term pregnant with twins, so you can imagine what my stomach looks like.) And I'm 36 so older than you.

    I get angry/upset with myself sometimes that I let myself get so big. I want to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to you on your weight loss. I've been maintaining for 18 months now and that has helped a bit with skin shrinking. I'll always be a hot mess however... I'm learning to live with it and it's getting easier. I would rather have this problem than be morbidly obese again anyway.
  • jacklifts
    jacklifts Posts: 396 Member
    check out obesetobeast on youtube
  • veedy30
    veedy30 Posts: 2 Member
    I think all that hard work deserves some skin removal. Anyone that's worked as hard as you have should look the part!
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    If your skin is hanging that much and sore, is it also causing skin rashes and infection? If so, insurance may cover part of it. They can usually be convinced to cover a panniculectomy if there are frequent, documented skin infections.
  • _Abby25
    _Abby25 Posts: 2 Member
    I have tried to get my insurance to help with no luck. I only meet 3/5 list of criteria I need to meet before they consider it medically necessary. I was quoted$5,200 just for the excess skin to be removed from my stomach. I think that's ridiculous.
  • helpatalkingmuffin
    helpatalkingmuffin Posts: 19 Member
    Have you thought about seeing a therapist? It might help to do some rewiring in your brain, if you can't physically remove the excess skin. Ultimately, it could help you feel more comfortable in your body as-is, while waiting for insurance to come through/money to be saved up/your skin to tighten up a bit on its own.

    Congratulations on your weight loss! You've done an incredible thing for yourself.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    _Abby25 wrote: »
    I have tried to get my insurance to help with no luck. I only meet 3/5 list of criteria I need to meet before they consider it medically necessary. I was quoted$5,200 just for the excess skin to be removed from my stomach. I think that's ridiculous.

    Fantastic accomplishment! You should be VERY proud of yourself! I'm sorry you're struggling with the excess skin. Do you have to meet all 5 of the requirements or can it be 4 of the 5? How close are you to being eligible and would it be possible to get a 2nd doctor's opinion? I'm sorry. I'm not familiar with the actual requirements so I'm not trying to pry or be invasive.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I second the advice about watching obesetobeast. Here he shows off his excess skin.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpKDteQ3FIQ

    This young man is all about body acceptance and being fit. And he's found love.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdKNj_h9gz8
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    You have achieved much. So many young women go through years of anguish and guilt, why they haven't seen success on the scale, and you've done it! If you find a way to get the plastic surgery paid for, go for it. In the meantime, you might get inspiration from John David Glaude's (ObeseToBeast) story. He works out to be fit. You might find new ways to enjoy your new body by doing a similar routine.

    I have decided to live with my extra jiggly bits and I compensate by dressing well. Spandex is my friend. Being well tucked-in will also reduce soreness from the skin flopping around during exercise. BodyGlide is great for preventing chafing.

    http://www.borntoreignathletics.com/about/

    http://fatgirlrunning-fatrunner.blogspot.ca/

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