Skin Issues Where To Begin:

I must say other than the question: Where do I get my motivation? Questions about skin are the most popular. I am here to talk to you openly and honestly about my experiences and tell you what my plastic surgeon and MD have told me. Your issues may very well be entirely different than mine!
The Nightmare of Reality
From the very beginning of this current weight loss journey I knew one day I would have to confront the issue of extra skin. I tried often enough to avoid the subject believing that if I exercised and toned along with my weight loss this would not be a problem. I was encouraged as my tummy shrank and my clothes started fitting better that I was going to make it and the skin would bounce back and have a lustery glow. Until...........while traveling I caught my reflection in the mirror of the hotel when getting out of the tub. I was horrified. I had lost 100 pounds and was feeling good about myself until that moment. I wanted to cry. My skin hung from me like the story book my Mom read me as a child called the "Saggy Baggy Elephant". I was sheets and sheets of dimply skin that hung from my under arms and covered my woman hood. I vowed then never to look in a mirror naked again. My heart sank.
August 4th, 2001
Supportive Garments:

I could tell you I found the perfect undergarment that made me look smooth and youthful. But I didn't. I hate being confined. I hate girdles as I do have well defined waist. Every time I time I tired an all in one support it would flatten my tummy, tuck in my rear and push all the skin to my waist and under my bust making me look like a sausage stuffed in a tube. Same with the support panties, everything ended up in a giant roll at the waist. So I went all natural! Underwear is another battle. By the time I get a pair to fit my tummy it is too big in the waist and leg holes and my skin sags through the legs opens. Still searching fo the perfect pair. I am open to suggestions. My favorite pants are the leggings made by "Just My Size" they are stretch and offer wonderful stomach support and hug the legs to show off emerging muscles!
Tearful Talk With MD

At one of my all time emotional lows. (Yes I have them) Having my life on the net has been emotionally trying at times. Friendship come and go and I force myself to to suck it up and go on.

After losing 200 pounds and a loss of my own identity along with the weight. I drug myself to the my MD beat down and drained. I had been on my health program 2 years and I felt I was losing control. Although he had been following my progress from the onset, I had not confront him with personal issues. I had a chronic rash below my apron, I couldn't wear short sleeve tops in the 100+ degree weather common to Southern California.

He was wonderful and referred me to a plastic surgeon right away. Being that I am a Kaiser Permanente patient very little time passed before the appointment with the Surgeon arrived!
January 19th, 2002
Visit With The Plastic Surgeon

What a relief. I liked him, he was kind and honest and I trusted him. He explained the causes of my sagging skin:

1. Age
2. Multiple Pregnancies
3. Skin Condition: sun worshiper, in a dry climate
4. Rapid Weight Loss: should only lose 8 pounds or less per month
5. Losing and Gaining Weight

No amount of exercise can tone loose skin. Skin does not tone, muscle does! I questioned him over and over and over. What it if I lift weights more, what is I do crunches? His response was, "your not listening." "In your case 100% of the elasticity is gone." "It will not bounce back." "You will lose fat under the skin and so it will appear to shrink up and not hang." "But the skin will have to be removed." "I will do that for you when............

1. You get to your actually goal weight, I do not want you to lose weight once I have pulled your skin tight. At least 150 pounds.
2. You have established to me that you are not going to regain this weight. This is a one time deal. Will be covered by health insurance.
3. DO NOT anticipate that this surgery will reduce your body weight considerably. I will not remove fat under the skin, just skin. I estimate you skin weight at 5 pounds.
4. This is not a "tummy tuck" it is a removal of redundant skin. You will be cut hip to hip and pulled and you more thank likely will lose your navel.
5. Recoup period 3 weeks and it is painful.

I was in shock about the navel bit. He said the arms are elective surgery and I would more than likely not want them done. It leave a horrible scare on the underside of arm from elbow to arm pit. I think I have decided at this point to pay to have them done. I think at times they bother me more than the tummy.

I continued to see him every three months so he could establish a pattern with my weight loss. I see him again in June 2002 and I anticipate my surgery at the beginning of August 2002!
My Face

On a positive note. My face did not sag bad! The surgeon said it shaped up pretty well. I also had my teeth done and had veneers on all my top front teeth.
Before Teeth (left) After (right)