JakiChan

The doctor is starting to point me in that direction. Has anyone here had a "belt line lipectomy", and if so how long were you off the bike?

bassjones

No, but I probably will once I've lost all the weight. One thing to look into is if there's a burn unit near you, they'll sometimes pay for most of the surgery if you donate your excess skin they cut off to them for skin grafts.

jaxgtr

Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation is a link,....but not all burn units accept donations.

JimF22003

I've had numerous skin removal procedures following a 300-pound weight loss. Full circumferential "body lift", brachioplasty (arm skin), leg skin, "upper chest" skin removal with nipple relocation etc.

I had started to ride the bike before this surgery, but was limited because of really bad skin breakdown under the pannus, and also because the excess skin on my legs would flap against the top bar. I had to wear tights even in the summer.

These were not all done at once of course, so each one involved a recovery period, some longer than others. You can have drains installed for many weeks, especially if you have any complications. I'm sure it would be at least six weeks for most people.

At the time I had my procedures (nine years ago) the idea of "skin donation" was mentioned, but it was a firmly-debunked urban legend. Stretched out skin is not good for skin grafts. Certainly you wouldn't be given enough money to pay for surgery (mine cost $25K altogether, and I'm sure it would be more now.)

After a casual google search a few minutes ago it looks like things might have changed a bit. I see a few reputable sources indicating that skin donation can be done under some circumstances, but I don't know if that's really feasible or not.

jaxgtr

I'm down almost 200 and my legs and arms are not an issue, my big area is my torso....I'm going to work my @$$ off with the weights and focus on my core and see if I can address it that way. I don't get any of the issues associated with the extra skin, so I have not considered this surgery until recently. I think I have just gotten frustrated with my results to date, however, I see it everyday and I feel without the extra around my waist, I could probably fit into a 30/32 pant size versus the 36, I wear now.

bassjones

I've already got the "pouch" and I've still got 100-120 lbs to go.

dagray

I would look into a wrap that tones, tightens, and firms the skin as those would be less invasive than surgery. Yes it might take many applications, but overall cost could be lower than surgery, and your health might be better for going this route.

I hope what ever choice you make is right for you, and I congratulate you for the weight loss.

Dave

chefisaac

Have you considered trying to tighten up at the gym with weight lifting? I know it can be a chore but it's produced great results on my end. I'm down 140 pounds, switched more of the cardio to weight lifting and HIIT. Been working well.

Also, for skin surgery, try New Mexico. The cost is so much less and quality is on par.

fietsbob

Only thru pavement abrasions, and a little nick with a chainsaw.

bassjones

Weight training is quite difficult when losing 12-15 lbs a month and eating -1000 calories a day, most of which is protein. I am swimming 3 days a week and doing core exercises, so I'm hoping that helps. If I don't have rashes and boils, I'll live with the loose skin.

Sullalto

What's special about New Mexico?

Other than horrid roads and UFOs.

Judi

I'm using the Bowflex, which kind of counts as weight training (I would rather have had something else, but the hubby had always wanted a bowflex, so that's what we got), while I'm eating about 1200 calories a day (my weight loss slows down if I eat less than that). It hasn't helped much with the loose skin on my arms. I have also been using a hula hoop 30 minutes a day and the elliptical 45 minutes a day. My legs definitely look better than when I started, and some of the loose skin at the top of my legs has shrunk up pretty dramatically in just the last couple of months. I don't look too saggy and baggy and horrible for having lost 175 lbs in the last year.

I've read that it can take two years for the skin to shrink up as much as it will on its own. I know that on my body the areas I feel have a lot of loose skin still have a lot of fat under that loose skin, so I'll work on getting rid of that before I consider surgery. One of my friends is planning to have excess skin removed once she gets below 200. The surgeon says he will probably be able to remove about 40 lbs from her...no way all of that is skin and I wonder how much more complicated the surgery is when there's that much fat also being removed.

JakiChan

I already lift. Things are not going to tighten up. Stretch marks don't "tighten up".

I'm simply looking for recovery times for the aforementioned circumferential body lift/belt line lipectomy.