Gastric bypass????

I am looking into having gastric bypass done I am really interested and confident in it- I am just scared about the extra skin- any good advice please let me know- besides I cant afford tumy tucks or anything- and I am a 46 DD and I dont want to lose that many cup sizes!!

I would say then try a different way of losing weight first

well, you should, and if you are new mother, no doctor Should let you until you are finished breast feeding.

A friend of mine had it done not too long ago. He didn't lose weight instantly, He's still kind of heavy. That's a good thing though so the skin can receed.

I do advise other alternatives first.

If you have no means of having the skin removed after bypass- then I would suggest not having it done. You will be more miserable with the excess skin than the excess weight.

Don't worry, in a couple years you'll gain the weight back and fill your skin back out. Sorry, but it's true... I have several friends who've had it done and none kept the weight off. They all started creeping back up about two years later and are now back to dieting the old fashioned way. I actually read a study recently that said they think after a while, maybe a couple years, your body becomes more adept at absorbing the nutrients and calories from the food you eat, so the bypass doesn't work anymore. Of course, some people just overeat and stretch their stomachs back out too...my hair stylist did that.

I am in a perpetual state of dieting. I follow the diet suggested by the American Diabetes Association... it's very healthy and balanced, lots of fiber and complex carbs, low fat and sugar.

Hi there! I'm actually getting my surgery within the next few months. I am really nervous about the extra skin thing too, but often times insurance will cover it if there is medical necessity (like back pain, rashes, etc.). I am only 25, so some of my skin will go back to normal, but most will need to come off since I need to lose about 200 pounds. In the end, it will all be worth it anyway--you will be healthier and more confident and you can figure out the skin issue later. Financing is available and going to Mexico is also an option--I know that sounds scary, but there are many surgeons there that are better than the US. You just have to check their backgrounds--it might be worth it since they charge about 2/3 less than surgeons here. Don't listen to people who say you gain the weight back or you might die, etc. Those cases are rare--believe me, I am a constant worrier and I have done hours and hours of research on the surgery before I decided on it. I am confident now that I am ready. Also, go to www.obesityhelp.com for a ton of info, message boards, and answers to every single question you have. Plus, all of the members have first hand knowledge. You can find me there under the name thatgreengirl. Go for it and good luck!

First of all most doctors will not even do the sergery unless you have proof you have been on several doctor assisted diets so youve probably been there done that. I had my WLS in may of 2005 and Ive lost about 120 lbs I do have some extra skin but its a fair trade of for sore joints a bad back and several other medical conditions. Gastric bypass it totally a last resort and if loose skin is the only thing holding you back you are probably doing it for the wrong reasons. By the way most insurance companies now will pay for skin removal being that it is a direct result of your WLS. And I went from a Larg C cup to a very small B. it happens. you would be shocked to know how much of your breasts are actually fat. I hope that this helps. If not go to obesityhelp.com. You probably already know about it if you are going through the process. Anyhow good luck and be strong! This is going to be one of the hardest things you will do in your lifetime :)

My husband and I had gastric bypass 6 years ago and we are still at our goal weights of 190 and 160 respectively. He did not have any skin removed and it doesn't really bother him. I did have a tummy tuck and breast lift/augmentation. You will lose enough of your breasts that they will sag and look very bad. I started out as a 42DD at 290 pounds and once I hit my goal weight of 150 I was a 36A...no breast tissue at all. My implants had to be placed behind the muscle so they weren't obvious.

Now, with all that being said, every person is different and we each lose and gain weight back in different ways/places. A lot of people who have gastric bypass gain their weight back because they have a mental addiction to food or need to fulfill them in ways their lives do not. I strongly urge everyone to attend regular post-op meetings or see a counselor in addition to the surgery. Most people who are morbidly obese don't just love to eat for the sake of eating. They are filling a hole within themselves.

I have heard that they are now making a plastic sleeve that is placed over the new stomach to keep it from being able to stretch back out....haven't heard if it is commonly used or not.

With all that being said, you can bet you will not look good in shorts or swim wear after gastric bypass surgery without having skin removed. Some people I know that have this going on don't care and wear shorts with the skin hanging halfway down their legs. I do care and now only wear shorts that come to my knees. I cannot afford and probably will never afford to have a lower body lift, but I would rather have excess skin and be healthy and active than morbidly obese...just my opinion.