I had my skin done last Feb, I'm not sure about question #1, as i had GBS , but weight loss is weight loss and when you drop a ton of weight and you have streched out your skin over the years it's really up to your body how much the skin will go back. I hated the skin the hung over my privet area, was not nice at all my hubby was ok with it and loves the new me, i still have loose skin on my uper legs but he dosen't care. he is the only person that see's me naked, in clothes i look awesome.

I can't answer #1 as I only know the excess skin I have and I had the sleeve.
2# I am mostly self conscious of my arms and find myself wearing longer sleeves (its good its winter) at work, but at home I wear sleevless and tanks and it doesn't bother me. The other skin no one else sees, so it doesn't bother me. emotionally the loose skin bothers me a whole lot less than being 289 pounds did.
3- my husband of almost 17 years has loved me no matter the size. I have asked him about the skin and he said it doesn't matter. and his actions match his words because he is just as touchy feely as he always has and actually more so, because I have more selfconfidence so I am more 'interested'. Also for Valentines day he went out at picked out some lingerie for me at victorias Secret (I haven't even had to guts to go in there yet, I guess I still can't believe I can fit into anything there) Based on what he selected, my loose tummy and legs do not seen to bother him ;)
Hope this helps

I had RNY and I've lost 90 lbs.I don't know if there's a difference on how fast you lose weight, I think it may be more about how much weight you lose. I think I want to lose a little bit more and then I'll be consulting with a plastic surgeon.

There will be loose skin, no matter what procedure you have done. Think about a balloon and when it's full it's stretched out tight, but let out a lot of the air, and it sags. I have several areas that I plan on having done, arms, breasts, stomach, butt, and thighs.

And being honest, the only time the loose skin bothers me is when I put lotion on or see the skin and realize it's loose and then I'll obsess over it, but not very long, because I know I'm going to get it taken care of. The part that really bothers me is my breasts. They've deflated quite a bit and hang low. I was a small C cup and now I'm a small B. I will be getting implants.

I think you'r lucky to have such a wonderful husband. Hang on tight to him. My relationship with my husband is better than it's ever been. My confidence and energy is through the roof (confession: I've become a bit of a nympho) and my husband doesn't care about the exrta skin. The other day I asked him about my "ugly" stomache and he said he doesn't even see it.. He's also said to me that he would love me wether I'm 300 lbs or 100 lbs. and the only thing that matters to him is that I'm happy and healthy.

I hope this helps to ease your mind.
Shelley :o)

When I had the Lap Band done 3 years ago I was kind of lucky I didnt have much loose skin besides my belly. I never worried about it because it was mostly covered, My husband is not really the type to say anything either it doesn't really bother him, I started gaining weight back last year when my band sliped. I just had my RNY on Wed. luckly I have a lot of friends that have had the surgery. Most have suggested that your wear foundations (underware with support) to help keep things in place while loosing weight.

I have bought some underarmor mens biking shorts to help with my tummy and legs while working out, so nothing rubs. I also had 1 friend wrap her upper arms with stretchy bandages to help with loose skin while she worked out so it wasnt flapping around and uncomfortable. Another used girls polyester stretchy leggings cut down the middle one on each arm clipped at the elbow with a band in the back and one in front to keep them on the arms without adding another shirt in the summer. I am suprised that no one has asked, so far its a good question.

The problem is that the skin is an organ, it has grown as you have grown. Some people seem to do really well if they workout, as the muscle helps fill the gap that the fat used to, plus you are getting more vitamins and blood and all to the skin when you are working out to make the organ as healthy as possible. But even if you workout most people will not see the type of shrinkage that is desirable, that is why most get the skin surgerys to clip off the excess skin.

I am pretty modest even in summer, I have always worn a full t-shirt. For some they can barely afford the surgery, so additional surgeries are out of the question. If this is your case you can look into the foundations, and tight fitting arm tops or bandage wraps to keep things from rubbing, I also know quite a few people that have sewn their own things to keep it from rubbing, flapping swinging and keept it all tucked in, but realistically I havent ever seen anyone after WLS not need some type of surgical skin tucking.

So, be realistic about your goals, if it bothers you or your spouse talk about it. Explore realistic ways to counteract any negativeness. Most of all just be open that there will be some loose skin. Hopefully I answered all your questions, probably not in order though ;P

Thank you all for responding and being so candid. All of your answers are helpful to me. My husband is an amazingly wonderful man who has loved me more than anyone in my entire life parents included. He has provided me with that unconditional love that every woman deserves and I am so grateful. I know these are my own personal insecurities which is why I am trying to get a personal handle on it NOW even before the surgery. I don't know if I will be able to afford the plastic surgery required if my insurance doesn't pay for that and that is a major concern to me and I just pray if that is the case God will give me the strength I need to embrace my extra skin and never doubt that my husbands love will falter. Other than God he is the source of my strength and has always been my rock so it is my intention to keep on being that loving, caring, sexy and vivacious wife that he loves and sees with his heart.

Thank you ladies for being honest and open with me.

Once upon a time I heard Jay Leno say, "You women are so hard on yourselves. Always worrying about what you look like to your man when you are naked. Belive me, we are so grateful you are taking your clothes off we don't care WHAT you look like!" LOL

I never forgot it. And if my hubby is anything to go by...it's true!

LOL thanks for that humor Ruby - lol sounds like something my husband would say

Ladies... that reminds me! Have you ever seen "Eat, Love, Pray" with Julia Roberts?

She asks her friend, "Let me ask you a question? In all the years youve undressed infront of your gentleman has he asked you to leave? Has he ever walked out and left? No..
Because he doesnt care, hes in the room with a naked girl. Hes won the lottery."

I love this!! And I too am lucky to have a man who truly loves me to the core and calls me his sexy woman every day! I'm the one with the hang ups! :)

#1 Anyone that loses over 100+ pounds of weight is gonna have loose skin to some degree... how long you have been over weight, genetics, condition of the skin: elasticity, stretchmarks, will determine how bad and whether you can firm it up a bit with exercise but in generally there will be some no matter how you lose.

#2 Yes, it affected me emotionally. It was bad. I felt awesome for losing 150+ pounds but I still felt fat when I looked in the mirror. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/10/not-ok-but-will-be.html I've had most of it lopped off ;) traded skin for some scars. It's better but body image stuff is still an issue for me.

#3 I am single. I personally think it is harder for single post-ops. You look super cute and sexy in clothes and then it feels like the bait & switch when you get naked... objects are not what they appear to be. I know the right person will love me for all of me but... it's hard.

That being said, I don't regret having surgery one bit... there is just way more to this journey than eating healthy & exercising... the emotional journey IMHO is the hardest part.

~Michelle "Shelly"

i had RNY...
i have slightly saggy man boobs now lol...and an area of loose skin above mr. happy...doesnt seem to bother me or my wife at all.
:-)

I have lost 170+ pounds down from top weight of 417 - I am still not as skinny as some folks here but still a lot healthier than I had been previously. I think loose skin is loose skin no matter the type surgery especially when you have lost great amounts of weight. I have never had much stomach so there is some loose skin there but not so bad that I find it repulsive. My arms were large so I do have the batwing thing going on when I hold my arms out. That is the only thing I would have any reconstructive work done at some point - right now I just dont worry about it. I have been a large woman for a very long time so a little loose skin is the least of my concerns. I have been married for 23 years and he is very supportive and has no issues at all. Honestly I think I am even softer, more appealing and really got my sexy back!! I think it is all in how you present yourself even as morbidly obese I like you was a diva and kept myself well put together. If anything you may change just because of how differently you look and the attention you receive sometimes will get in your head. Just keep being who you are and I am sure your bond with your spouse/manfriend or whomever will become even stronger.

I am grateful for the responses and i hope i don't appear ignorant to the fact that there will be skin - i am certain there will be. I think these hang ups are all mine but just wanted to know if it is the norm to feel this way. I can and will deal with it when it happens because going back in my decision is not an option.

You don't appear ignorant at all its good to ask questions and get various opinions. It also makes all of our days more lively when we get to read these great tips and responses. There are many or us who would like to ask some of these questions but just to shy to ask. Keep um coming we love it!!

I have lost over 120# from my highest point, and yes, there is loose skin even of you work out - a lot!!! LOL. But that being said, my husband and family can't stop saying how "tiny" I am and that I am just melting away and they are so proud. First, I am not tiny, but they make me feel good. Second, my husband is so enamored with how much smaller I am that the loose skin hasn't even entered his psyche yet. And as Ms Ruby pointed out, as long as we are there, naked and participating, they are completely happy:) I'm so thrilled to be wearing smaller clothes and able to be active and not worrying about all the things you don't realize you worried about ( will I fit in that chair? Am I to heavy for this activity? Etc.) that I could care less about the skin at this point. I'm just happy it's loose -LOL!!!

1. Loose skin is loose skin regardless.

2. Hasn't affect me so far I'm just too happy being skinny!

3. My husband does not care and loves my skinny ass!