In contrast to Jachut, I kinda figured I'd always need surgery. I carried all my weight around my stomache (check out my pics in the link in my sig, and you'll see) and I've had 4 big babies, and each time my stomache would get more stretch-marked and would never bounce back.

When I had my last baby, I was huge, and YET I still had an overhang of skin under my big pregnant belly. I knew then that if I ever lost weight, the skin would still be an issue.

In fact most bariatric patients are expected to lose, get to goal and then maintain before getting PS just to see if their skin will 'bounce back'. But my PS took one look at my skin and said that it would never bounce back (well, d'er!). It's covered in stretch marks, and looks like an empty balloon.

And just to answer your question, I'm almost 39, but Jachut was about my age when she lost all her weight and she hasn't had the kind of skin issues I have.

The funny thing is, I look great in clothes! But naked, I look like I have a 'skirt' of skin all around my hips, over my pubis and now it's developing in my back as well. I just look like my skin is several sizes too big for me.

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Banded: 1st August 08
Got to goal: mid-March 09.
Belt Lipectomy with vertical incision: 2nd April 09
stats in lbs: S215/C135/G154
Now in maintenance mode, no longer trying to lose