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Do You Need Skin Removal Surgery due to weight loss?
I’m interested in hearing from those who either have had skin removal surgery, due to substantial weight loss or feel they may need it in the future. I have lost 70 pounds so far and have 20-30 pounds to go….and I’m seeing loose skin that is bothersome. I’ve heard that for those over 50, it’s more problematic. I’m thrilled with my weight loss, but the skin is something I don’t I can tolerate.
Does insurance cover it? Hmmm….any information from those who have had it is appreciated. (Full disclosure, I haven’t had bariatric surgery, but this forum seems like the right place for the discussion.)
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@beccasch , wow! You really have gone through a lot. I’m trying to envision it. I had my under the muscle lipoma removed several weeks ago and due to fluid they inserted a drain this week. It didn’t work well and was removed.
I’m relieved that you had limited pain. I think the fatigue is understandable, but I’d let your doctor be aware. That was a lot on your system. I’m so happy you are seeing results you like! It’s very inspiring.
@beccasch
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. You did a lot at one time, but I understand taking care of everything at once. And if paying out of pocket, I am sure there are savings in doing it all at once.
I have thought about having skin removed, at least from the arms. I did a lower face lift years ago. It was most visible and more due to age and genetics than to weight loss. My mom had the same turkey neck. I do not regret doing it. Plastic surgery is a very personal choice; luckily, I was able to pay for it out of pocket. In addition, in my will, I have left money to a charity that provides funds for children with cleft lips.
I would be curious how you picked your plastic surgeon?
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1 Reaction@roch
This is my check in 3 weeks post skin removal and liposuction surgery.
The healing process has been more difficult than I anticipated. My surgery lasted 5 and a half hours and I went home that night. I had extended tummy tuck, liposuction and brachioplasty (arms). My plastic surgeon said it would be a lot of surgery at one time because normally when you have the tummy tuck you use your arms to push yourself up from chair or bed but I wouldn't be able to do that. I decided to go ahead and do both because I was afraid I wouldn't have the energy to go through with a second surgery. For the first week I had to have someone lift me out of bed to use the bathroom etc.
According to my doctor everything went well and healing is proceeding normally. For the first 2 weeks I had 4 drains that came out of my pubic area that had to be measured and emptied several times a day. While not really that painful, they made moving about difficult. My arm incisions are from my armpit to my elbow. the adominal incision is 3/4 of the way around my body, but contoured so that it won't show under most garments. My belly button was moved to a new location and stitched in place. In addition to the liposuction, the surgeon made several tightening sutures in the abdominal area to correct for sagging muscles.
When I left the OR I had a corset like garment from hips to just under breast and ace wraps on both my arms. After the last drain was removed at 2 weeks I switched to compression garments. Compression sleeves for my arms and a type of compression girdle for the rest. After a couple of days I started to develop a rash and pain from the compression garments, probably an allergic reaction. I have only been able to wear them for part of the day and the reaction from the compression garments is now more painful than my incisions.
In the beginning I couldn't stand upright so walked bent over at the hips. this caused me a great deal of back pain which has since gone away.
I still feel quite weak. I know walking is good for me at this point but after walking just 2 blocks, I have to go home and take a rest. I am starting to resume some normal activities, went out to lunch with girlfriends a couple of days ago but it exhausted me.
I am normally pretty active so this staying home and recuperation is draining on me. On the plus side, even with swelling, I can tell that I have a definite waistline for the first time since my 30's and my arms no longer flap around when I move. The belly button is numb but looks normal.
Can''t wait to get back to a "normal" life.
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2 Reactions@beccasch
Hope surgery went well. How are you doing?
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1 Reaction@beccasch , good luck with everything! It sounds quite exciting. Congratulations too! Please post more as you can.
Hi,
I am scheduled next week for skin removal surgery and liposuction. I am having the belly done plus the upper arms. Insurance did not cover so I am paying for the treatment. ($28,000)
I have been told I will have drains in the pubic area for 2-6 weeks, wear a compression body suit,
and no exercise except walking for 2 months.
My bariatric surgery was a year and a half ago and my weight has been stable since January.
My weight loss was 75 pounds with no complications. I am moderately active. I take strength training classes three times a week and go to water exercise 3 times a week.
I will let you know how it goes.
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4 ReactionsDid anyone have a drain inserted during surgery? I’m having a large lipoma that’s under the muscle removed next week and surgeon said I’d likely have a drain. Wondering what to expect. I know I’ll miss yoga for a week or two. Though I may go to just breathe.
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1 Reaction@louiserivers I went online and found Youtube videos for doing chair exercises as I suffer from lower back pain, and by using up to 5 lb weights with them. There are many video's you can use which ever one's you prefer. I did really good for 3 months before my surgery, but afterwards I really slacked. I started doing a LOT of WALKING. I started out slowly and I am now walking up to 4 to 5 miles every other day weather permitting. I struggle with hip pain from sitting for a long time, and the walking really helps relieve that pain. You can ask your doctor about specific exercises to do also.
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1 ReactionI do get a lot of comments from people who haven’t seen me since the weight loss (not so much anymore since my weight loss was in 2018 and skin removal was in 2019). And yes, underneath the clothes is a whole different story!
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1 Reaction@tslayden , Good luck with you too!
Just curious, do you get a lot of comments from people who haven’t seen you since the weight loss? I get a lot of compliments and shocked reactions. I do enjoy it. But, they don’t see what I do underneath the clothes. So…..
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