Don't know if anyone got to see Dr. Phil yesterday (Jan 4, 2006) but it was on "Unforgettable Weight Stories" and followed 3 people, one who had lost weight and still losing, one who is morbidly obese and not quite ready to make a commitment, and a third lady who had lost a lot of weight, but was now cursed by sagging skin.

I know there are clips at his site, and you can order a tape or transcript. Just an FYI in case you are interested.

wb

I am told by my GB surgeon that the key to preventing skin sagging is to drink lots of water and no smoking (smoking removes skin elasticity).

He did say there are a few that require a tummy tuck but not many and they have done over 3,500 surgeries!

WCPI
GB Pre-surgery Stage

WC-

I'm thinking that Cocoa Butter lotion is suggested, too. I've been trying to lose my weight the old fashioned way, and hope skin sag wont be a problem 100 pounds from now. :)

wb

I think that a lot of it has to do with your genes. Some people have more elastic skin than others. Other factors to think about are: how long you have been obese, how much weight you lose, your body type, etc. Someone who loses over a 100 pounds has lost a lot of weight, just think of how much weight that is. Of course your body is going to have some evidence that you were once much bigger than you are now (sagging skin, stretch marks), it is just how it is......

I am told by my GB surgeon that the key to preventing skin sagging is to drink lots of water and no smoking (smoking removes skin elasticity).

He did say there are a few that require a tummy tuck but not many and they have done over 3,500 surgeries!

WCPI
GB Pre-surgery Stage


Very, very few insurance companies pay for tummy tucks. They are considered cosmetic.

So maybe only a few have had them but I do not believe for one minute that only a few needed them.
I went to three plastic surgeons for consultations and they said skin removal would keep them in
business since the crush of GB surgeries. In my area a tummy tuck at a outpatient surgical center
was about $4k. At a hospital, Where you would spend the night,
closer to $7500. Few people can afford that.

Here's the thing. If you need a tummy tuck, it's not going to happen for
about two years after the GB. My good friend who had GB has never seen
that surgeon since her one year anniversary of the surgery. She would
love a tummy tuck but can't afford it. But if she had one, her GB surgeon would not have a clue she'd had it done.

And for me, it's not my stomach but my arms. They are terrible. I can't
even wear a short sleeved top, let alone sleeveless.

I'm very mild mannered. But when I read your post that your GB surgeon
had told you this I was angry. If I were you, I'd be very worried about
other things that are being sugar coated.

I'd love for you to ask the question again with these thoughts in mind.

I went for GB consultation and decided against it. I think it's a wonderful
alternative for some people and can give back lives. But they need to be
completely honest and I do not believe for one minute that after 3500 GB's only a "few" have needed tummy tucks.

Seeking