Loose skin?

[ArtsyChic]

I've lost about 200 pounds..so I have loose skin..and that's putting it mildly. I've researched abdominoplasty extensively. Firstly, there are two types...full and mini. Mini only does below the belly button, full is above AND below. There is also (this is only in extreme cases and what was recommended to me) is circumferential torsoplasty. One thing that effects recovery in a major is way is if the abdominals are sutured together to give a tighter abdominal appearence...like an internal corset. From what I understand this is THE most painful aspect of the procedure.

Circumferential torsoplasty or belt lipectomy, does the outer thigh, stomach, hips and back rolls. It also minimizes dog ears. This is the procedure I'm leaning towards at this time. It was described as "pulling your pants up" type of procedure..and I like that analogy. Lord knows, I need all I can get. I look like a deflated michelin man.

Alicia

 

[Puddles]

Alicia...I know how you feel. For me it's the worst when I'm naked and bending over at the waist...I look down and cry. Hugggs to ya! Someday you'll get it done but just hang in there in the meantime. I'm going for a full abdominoplasty (removing about 6" of skin vertically and relocating my bellybutton to skin unscarred by stretchmarks) next year...possibly the latter one you described....sometimes called a belt abdominoplasty I believe. I hate the thought of the "dog ears" and I think with the belt I could cover up the scar with a cool vine of flowers tatoo. I need to research it all more though. I have good ab muscles when I tighten them, but when I relax them, I look 20 lbs heavier...they got terribly stretched out when I was overweight. In April I go for a breast lift with implants...you can understand why. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. Good luck!

 

[ArtsyChic]

Hi Mrs. Puddles..yes..I know the feeling. I'm at an ideal weight, but have gross skin EVERYWHERE it seems like. The belt lipectomy was about the only thing my doctor would recommend that wouldn't give dog ears and helps my thigh, hips etc at the same time. Unfortunately, the belt costs TWICE as much as the regular full. (I'm accepting paypal donations at [email protected] !! ) I feel with this skin is indescribable. My mother asks me why I don't date..I don't because when you date, you eventually have to get naked. I feel hideous..couldn't imagine showing this to a man...and I'm only 22. I could barely show it to the surgeon..I made jokes to ease my mortification. I booked May 9th for a full abdominoplasty, but am going to back out because it's just not what I think I need, nor is it what my surgeon thinks would be best. I've more or less made the decision for the belt lipectomy. I just need to find a surgeon confident he can do the procedure. The surgeon I consulted with didn't seem too enthused about doing it for me. He more or less told me they were a pain to perform..or perhaps he just wasn't confident he knew what he was doing during them. He's a professor of plastics at Indiana University..but still.

It's frustrating..I'm sure you can't wait to finally get your breasts done! I bet it's going to be so exciting!!!! I'd know I'd be happy beyond words!!!

Alicia