extra skin?

Cassiet
Cassiet Posts: 80 Member
I lost almost 100 lbs and have lots of extra skin did anyone have this issue and uf so how did you fix it?
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Replies

  • hm_day
    hm_day Posts: 857 Member
    Strength training at the gym :)
  • rockylucas
    rockylucas Posts: 343 Member
    I lost 275 lbs (went from 475 to 200) and had to spent $ 30,000 on cosmetic surgery to remove over 16 lbs of excess skin. Your issue may not be nearly as severe, or cost nearly as much, but cosmetic surgery is what removes extra skin, period. You cannot exercise it off. There is no "cream" to help it.
  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    1st off congrats. You look wonderful.

    I've lost about 92 lbs of fat (built some muscle over the last 2 years) and still have some skin issues that frustrated the hell out of me. It has gotten better over time.
  • I lost 275 lbs (went from 475 to 200) and had to spent $ 30,000 on cosmetic surgery to remove over 16 lbs of excess skin. Your issue may not be nearly as severe, or cost nearly as much, but cosmetic surgery is what removes extra skin, period. You cannot exercise it off. There is no "cream" to help it.

    This^

    Unfortunately one of the biggest drawbacks when losing a lot of weight.
  • Sweettart
    Sweettart Posts: 1,331 Member
    bump for later
  • :( The first time I read it I thought it said 3,000 and I got hopeful. I haven't lost it yet, but I plan on it and this is one of my biggest worries.
  • rockylucas
    rockylucas Posts: 343 Member
    Yeah, depending on how overweight you are when you begin your journey, how long you have been overweight, etc, excess skin is simply going to be a reality once you hit your goal weight. While it can be frustrating and be a financial issue, I see it as just one more step in the journey. My years of poor choices and morbid obesity created a blanket of extra skin which I had to go into debt to remove. Annoying yes, but also life-changing once I made the decision to take care of it.
  • Goal_Seeker_1988
    Goal_Seeker_1988 Posts: 1,619 Member
    I've lost 85lbs and have loose skin round my stomach and inner thighs. I've been doin weight training for 3 years along with cardio. Still hasn't moved much of the skin around. :indifferent: I will have to pay $12,400 for a tummy tuck and inner thigh surgery:sick:
  • rockylucas
    rockylucas Posts: 343 Member
    Ms. Ranney,

    I had four seperate procedures, a circumferential abdominoplasty, (basically a tummy tuck which goes all the way around to your back... localized back skin removal, skin excision from under my arms (bat wings), and my man titties cut off (LOL)!

    In addition to that, I did not choose a local plastic surgeon, I chose one more nationally/internationally respected and traveled for my procedures.

    Therefore, don't look at my costs and panic and think that is the average, it is not. If you don't have as much to lose as I did, are comfortable with a local surgeon, and only opt for 1-2 procedures, the costs are much lower.
  • Yeah, depending on how overweight you are when you begin your journey, how long you have been overweight, etc, excess skin is simply going to be a reality once you hit your goal weight. While it can be frustrating and be a financial issue, I see it as just one more step in the journey. My years of poor choices and morbid obesity created a blanket of extra skin which I had to go into debt to remove. Annoying yes, but also life-changing once I made the decision to take care of it.

    This is quite inspiring, wish I could rep you in some way
  • rockylucas
    rockylucas Posts: 343 Member
    Goalseeker, my inner thighs was to be my "next" procedure but I have never got around to it. It would be a $ 9,000 procedure. At this point the money does not exist, I am used to my legs for what they are, so I worry about it less and less as time goes by.
  • gazz777
    gazz777 Posts: 722
    flopping, I mean bumping, for later.
  • rockylucas
    rockylucas Posts: 343 Member
    Thank you PbJunkie :)

    The next step in my journey is to finally get in shape, meaning having significant lean muscle mass, being able to do pushups, situps, pullups, being strong, etc. I am "skinny" but not really in shape or strong, and no matter how much surgery you have, ONLY busting your *kitten* in the gym can give you an attractive physique. SO that's my next goal
  • I lost 111 lbs from 310 lbs and had excess skin too. I went in to talk with the surgeon to get some idea. It will cost me around $8,000. And yes it is the only way to get rid of the excess skins. It's SAD that when someone had trouble with obesity and trying to lose weight. Like for me, I was developed with PCOS, it was something I did not want to have but it just happened to be there and it MADE it harder to lose weight, EVEN when I am eating healthy and exercising, it STILL hard to lose weight and such a big struggle for me. Then I was surprisingly got pregnant (which I was told I could never have one) then after the baby was born, I end up had 4 deadly bacterial infection from C-Section which almost cause me to die. They had to do the emergency surgery again and put the mesh in to prevent the colons from falling apart. So since then I couldn't DO NOTHING for one year as I was on bed rest from the serious surgery. BUT then after 1 year, I immediately went back to my exercising routine and eating healthy, I DROP lost of weight..then the doctor said I don't have PCOS anymore. I was impressed with it but wasn't happy with excess skin. So the only way to get rid of it is the cosmetic surgery.

    Hope everyone find their journey happy and healthy be positive.. god is on your side!
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    I lost 275 lbs (went from 475 to 200) and had to spent $ 30,000 on cosmetic surgery to remove over 16 lbs of excess skin. Your issue may not be nearly as severe, or cost nearly as much, but cosmetic surgery is what removes extra skin, period. You cannot exercise it off. There is no "cream" to help it.

    This!
    I lost over 120 pounds and tried for 10 years to tighten up the skin on my belly to no avail!! I finally had a tummy tuck in May and the Dr said nothing but surgery would have helped the excess skin. I am planning on getting my thighs done sometime in the next 3-4 months!!
  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    Ok, so the question is...how much should I expect to pay for a tummy tuck? I don't have a lot of loose skin but enough to piss me off.

    Look at my picture and tell me if you think I should even pursue it. I would appreciate any feedback.
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    This is actually pretty depressing.

    Any form of surgery simply isn't an option for me money wise.

    So even when i get to my goal, i still wont be able to take my shirt off.

    =/
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    Ok, so the question is...how much should I expect to pay for a tummy tuck? I don't have a lot of loose skin but enough to piss me off.

    Look at my picture and tell me if you think I should even pursue it. I would appreciate any feedback.

    I checked out your pics and I dont see any loose skin that you are talking about at all. If I were you I def. would not spend the money on it! I think you look great!
    I seriously had a huge bulge of skin hanging over my belly button! Even though I had lost so much weight I still couldnt wear fitted shirts because the bulge was so obvious!!
    the cost for me was roughly $8500 I cant remember the exact amt. that is the going rate for the New England area.
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    This is actually pretty depressing.

    Any form of surgery simply isn't an option for me money wise.

    So even when i get to my goal, i still wont be able to take my shirt off.

    =/

    Dont despair, not everyone that loses a lot of weight ends up with baggy hanging skin. It depends on alot of factors including where the bulk of the weight is, and genetics, how you carry the weight, height, etc. I lost over 120pounds and even thought I didnt lose it that quickly, because I had gained so much, my skin got all stretched out.!!
  • reading this thread is inspiring and depressing to me that the same time...

    ive lost 85lbs with about 70lbs more to do...

    ive been doing cardio, strength training and eating right from the beginning with the hope that my skin may bounce back and allow me to have somewhat of a normal body without lots of excess skin and not have a need for surgery...

    i guess i better start an extra savings account for this surgery just in case...i guess on the bright side if i can get away without getting the surgery we will be able to go on a great holiday!
  • Bahet
    Bahet Posts: 1,254 Member
    Make sure you check with your regular doctor. It's possible that if they deem it a necessary procedure that it would be covered by insurance.

    Also, drink a LOT of water while you are in the process of losing weight. It will help the skin gain and maintain it's elasticity which will help it reshape to your new body.
  • tracy337
    tracy337 Posts: 199 Member
    Make sure you check with your regular doctor. It's possible that if they deem it a necessary procedure that it would be covered by insurance.

    Also, drink a LOT of water while you are in the process of losing weight. It will help the skin gain and maintain it's elasticity which will help it reshape to your new body.

    YES! I talked with my doc about this recently and was told that if I "have" to repeadly come in for pain caused by the loose skin that Ins. would probably cover it rather than pay for repeated appointments and meds :)
  • jenomaha
    jenomaha Posts: 631 Member
    Including pregnancy weight, I've lost up to 60 lbs (5lbs higher right now). Being so short, 2 pregnancies and 2 c-sections later, I have what I call my "shelf". My ob said I surgery was the only way to get rid of it. Even getting down to 103 lbs and 15% bodyfat, the shelf shrank but remained! I can hide it it, but I'm tired of having to hide it. I have a mini tummy tuck scheduled next month at the tune of $3500. I am so excited, I've been waiting for this for 3 years!!!

    I wanted boobs too, but the hubby said no :sad: lol!!!
  • harmonysdream
    harmonysdream Posts: 92 Member
    My excess skin is the ONLY thing I don't like about the weight I've lost, and I'm only half way to my goal. Sometimes I look in the mirror and realize that without clothes on I actually felt sexier and more feminine when I was 180lbs heavier. I've already started putting money back to pay to have the skin surgically removed one day. The main problem is now it also causes me pain sometimes, especially when I'm really active.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,328 Member
    This is actually pretty depressing.

    Any form of surgery simply isn't an option for me money wise.

    So even when i get to my goal, i still wont be able to take my shirt off.

    =/

    If you are still young, time may tighten it up. If not, it will still tighten up a bit, but the loose skin may never go away. I have read that it will take at least 2 years after you lose the weight for the skin to tighten as much as it will.
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    This is actually pretty depressing.

    Any form of surgery simply isn't an option for me money wise.

    So even when i get to my goal, i still wont be able to take my shirt off.

    =/

    If you are still young, time may tighten it up. If not, it will still tighten up a bit, but the loose skin may never go away. I have read that it will take at least 2 years after you lose the weight for the skin to tighten as much as it will.

    Despite feeling young, im 35 now....my only hope is that i dont have that much to lose relatively. It's not like a couple of hundred pounds. But...this is the first thing in 5 months that has noticeabley dented my enthusiasm and drive....:frown:
  • jenny95662
    jenny95662 Posts: 997 Member
    Ok, so the question is...how much should I expect to pay for a tummy tuck? I don't have a lot of loose skin but enough to piss me off.

    Look at my picture and tell me if you think I should even pursue it. I would appreciate any feedback.

    I checked out your pics and I dont see any loose skin that you are talking about at all. If I were you I def. would not spend the money on it! I think you look great!
    I seriously had a huge bulge of skin hanging over my belly button! Even though I had lost so much weight I still couldnt wear fitted shirts because the bulge was so obvious!!
    the cost for me was roughly $8500 I cant remember the exact amt. that is the going rate for the New England area.


    good to know its not as much as i thought i am in CT so it should be around that. then we will see if thighs need it
  • kimtpa1417
    kimtpa1417 Posts: 461 Member
    well gotta say I am alittle depressed reading this. i was never big. I got pregnant and gained 75lbs, lost it all but still had a belly. Then I gained all the weight back almost and lost it again then gained double of it back and now have lost 36lbs with only 17 more to my goal. But my stomach, my arms, and inner thighs are a mess from gaining weight losing weight and again and again. I am going to do the most i can for a couple of years to get things to tighten up and will start saving for a tummy tuck and inner thigh tuck.
  • tracy337
    tracy337 Posts: 199 Member
    FYI I read on another thread the using Prep H can help. I can't attest to this, but they said they had personlly used it and worked pretty well.
  • cownancy
    cownancy Posts: 291
    Here on Long Island, we had a plastic surgeon visit our bariatric surgery support group. She told me that there are certain procedures that health insurance will cover with a little bit of effort. The tummy tuck in the front (not in the back) is pretty easy to have covered, assuming it is significant "enough". Bat wings, no. Breast lift, probably, especially if there is chafing and discomfort. Most of the other stuff is out of pocket.

    She said VERY VERY few people who have lost significant amounts (over 50-60 pounds) of weight can "tighten it up" unless they are very young and haven't been heavy for very long AND have a certain skin type, but it is NOT the norm.

    Oh, and you have to have been stable at your current weight for a minimum amount of time.....I THINK 18 months, not sure.
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