I am 5ft 3in tall. Just had lap band put in place on Aug 19. My max weight was 320lbs (In June) and I am at 286ish now. I have been overweight most of my adult life but not considered morbidly obese until the birth of my now 4 year old daughter. I would like to be a healthier weight, between 140 and 160 to me, seems reasonable, is there a chance my skin will shrink to fit my body or is it likely that I will need surgery to get rid of loose sagging skin?
December 19, 2013
Answer: Wait a few months until your weight loss has plateaued before deciding the need for plastic surgery Congratulations on your weight loss journey and taking that step of having a LAP-BAND placed. I would see how much weight you lose with the LAP-BAND. Younger patients have more recoil or rebound to their skin and the skin can shrink wrap around your body after massive weight loss. I would wait until your weight has plateaued for at least 3 to 4 months and then evaluate your body to see if you will need surgery. I have seen patients lose more than a 100 pounds and not require any reconstructive surgery because their skin is relatively healthy and shrink wraps around their new arms, new legs, abdomen, and buttock. Thank you, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
December 19, 2013
Answer: Wait a few months until your weight loss has plateaued before deciding the need for plastic surgery Congratulations on your weight loss journey and taking that step of having a LAP-BAND placed. I would see how much weight you lose with the LAP-BAND. Younger patients have more recoil or rebound to their skin and the skin can shrink wrap around your body after massive weight loss. I would wait until your weight has plateaued for at least 3 to 4 months and then evaluate your body to see if you will need surgery. I have seen patients lose more than a 100 pounds and not require any reconstructive surgery because their skin is relatively healthy and shrink wraps around their new arms, new legs, abdomen, and buttock. Thank you, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
October 21, 2011
Answer: Skin Shrinkage after 100 Pound Weight Loss?
Thank you for the question.
Congratulations on your successful lap band surgery and your commitment to weight loss and healthy lifestyle.
Unfortunately, given that you will end up losing over half of your weight (at least 150 pounds), it is most likely that you will have “loose sagging skin”. Also unfortunately this excess skin does tend to be a reminder of the previous history of obesity even when you reached your goal weights.
There are a variety of plastic surgical procedures designed to eliminate the excess skin when you are closer to your stable weight ( you may find the link below helpful).
At that point it would behoove you to seek consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Congratulations again!
Helpful
October 21, 2011
Answer: Skin Shrinkage after 100 Pound Weight Loss?
Thank you for the question.
Congratulations on your successful lap band surgery and your commitment to weight loss and healthy lifestyle.
Unfortunately, given that you will end up losing over half of your weight (at least 150 pounds), it is most likely that you will have “loose sagging skin”. Also unfortunately this excess skin does tend to be a reminder of the previous history of obesity even when you reached your goal weights.
There are a variety of plastic surgical procedures designed to eliminate the excess skin when you are closer to your stable weight ( you may find the link below helpful).
At that point it would behoove you to seek consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Congratulations again!
Helpful