Question:
Can any post-ops in their 20's starting around 300lbs help me out?
I'm 5'4" and just over 300lbs, 21 years old and I am just wondering if any of you dealt with excess skin a lot? I've heard that since we're younger our skin tends to be a lot more elastic, and it's not such a problem. Have any of you found this? I want to avoid plastic surgery if I can, and am hoping maybe my age will work with me for this! :) Can anyone share their experiences! Thanks! — Deborah W. (posted on October 19, 2001)
October 19, 2001
Hi, I am 24 years old and I am 3 months post op. So far I have lost about
50 pounds but I still have a long way to go. I know for sure I am going to
need plastic surgery, there is no way that my body is going to firm up all
of the extra skin I have. It's just not possible, I am going to need lifts
and tucks but I will cross that bridge when I get there. The important
thing is that I am healthy and happy.
— karen Z.
October 19, 2001
I think that how much you weigh and weight disbribution (i.e where
you carry the weight) has more to to with excess skin than age. I
say this because I am over three years post-rny and active in my
support group. I've seen people of all ages, sizes and shapes before
and after surgery and age doesn't seem to be a factor. Generally, those
who lose less than 125lbs. don't require reconstructive surgery...unless..
they had very big bellies or were big breasted women. Those (like myself
and
my best friend) whose fat was evenly distributed and who lose up to the
low
hundreds don't have a problem. I've also observed that while exersizing
has
many benefits, it doesn't help the skin situation at all. I had my rny in
my
late forties and lost 120lbs. and have no excess skin at all. My upper
arms are
a little jiggly...but nothing rhat would require s surgery. However, some
of the
kids in their twenties who who have lost around 200lbs. definitely need
reconstructive
work if they are to lead normal lives. Just what I've observed over the
years.......
— [Anonymous]
October 19, 2001
I agree with the 'anonymous' person before me about age not having much to
do with it. I am 45 years old, female, and I've lost my excess weight with
no need for plastic surgery. I think it is because I carried the weight
pretty much all over and I was more pear-shaped than apple-shaped.
However, no one can GUESS how it will be for you, you'll just have to wait
and see. Best wishes.
— Cindy H.
October 19, 2001
I am 24 an pre-op, but I have set a goal to lose 10% of my starting weight
which was 350 and I am now 318. Already I see some lose skin. I will
definitely need a tummy tuck and arms I think, but who knows. My friend
lost 50# and it took about a year for her to tighten up. I happened
everywhere, but her tummy. I agree that it depends on how you carry your
weight as well. Email me any time if you want to talk. I love hearing
from others around my age about their experiences with surgery. Warmest
wishes:-)
— Sara A
October 19, 2001
I am 24 an pre-op, but I have set a goal to lose 10% of my starting weight
which was 350 and I am now 318. Already I see some lose skin. I will
definitely need a tummy tuck and arms I think, but who knows. My friend
lost 50# and it took about a year for her to tighten up. I happened
everywhere, but her tummy. I agree that it depends on how you carry your
weight as well. Email me any time if you want to talk. I love hearing
from others around my age about their experiences with surgery. Warmest
wishes:-)
— Sara A
October 19, 2001
Hi Deborah, I am 28 5'4, and started out at 341, I have lost close to 100
lbs and am not as of yet having a skin hanging problem. I am a little
wigglier if that's a word LOL, than I was, but that is because I have lost
the weight in quick amount of time. Exercise is the key to avoid or make
less of the saggy skin. I have always been a very solid person, carried my
weight from head to toe. I feel that maybe that has attributed to me not
having a major problem. Best of luck to you!
— Carey N.
October 19, 2001
I am 28 years old and started at 407. That sounds like a lot, but I am
pretty tall (5'9"). I have lost about 150 lbs. now, and I'm starting
to see some definite sag. Your age will help you a little, but you still
may need plastic surgery.
— Terissa R.
February 20, 2002
I had surgery almost 2 years ago. I am 5'6'' and weighted 315 lbs when I
had the surgery. I've lost 150 lbs and I do have lose skin. Some you may
want to keep in mind, if you want to have children. You may want to wait
until after the kids to have that tummy tuck!
— Jennifer R.
February 20, 2002
I started at 368 and I'm 5'7". I'm down about 30 lbs and I can tell
I'm not as "firm" as I was, but I'm not far enough along to tell.
I had my surgery almost a month ago. I'm 22, and when I'm done, if I look
baggy I will be getting snipped wherever I need it. lol We're so young I
don't see the point in being all baggy if we can help it. If I was over 50
and had kids already I guess I wouldn't care as much. When you're still in
your "prowling years" it seems to me that if you can afford it by
youself or with insurance and it would help your confidece, why not? That
is true for any age really, but being younger that's from me. :)
— Paula Prichard
February 7, 2005
I am 26 years old and had my surgery in March of last year. I am down
about 115-120 pounds. I started at 340 pounds and am 5'6". Yep, the
extra skin is rough. I have extra skin on my arms, inner thighs and
breasts. I can deal with the extra skin on my arms, but my inner thighs
and breasts need TLC in a major way. I have about 50 pounds left to lose
and once I am done that, I think plastic surgery is on the menu. So, to
answer your question, the skin does tighten up some with weight lifting,
but it really depends on how much you need to lose. I would say if you
plan to lose over 100 pounds, you may have an issue with skin. You also
have to consider, eventhough we are young, the weight loss is extreme and
rapid and quite naturally, your body may have a hard time adjusting to all
of it. Good luck!
— jdeneen
May 24, 2005
I'm 24 years old and started out at 328lbs. I am now yo-yoing from 164-
170lbs. The excess skin is something I ahve a lot of trouble dealing with,
I was denied for all plastic surgery and I personally know people in their
50's who didn't have as bad a skin problem as I did. But then again, I've
been overweight for 18 years, at least. Its rough though, brace yourself
for the worst, and hope for the best. My biggest problem is that I never
thought fat was ugly, I was gorgeous at my beginning weight, and now, I'm
just pretty with clothes on.. I dunno.. I think I look disgusting..
— poohniki
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