Amy, so many people ask me that question. My bluntly honest answer is, yes, very much. I've got, probably, about twenty pounds, or more, of extra skin and subcutaneous fat still hanging off of me, mostly in my abdomen (it's called a peniculum). No, I can't afford the elective plastic surgery to have it removed (a peniculectomy). I'm blessed that my wife still thinks I'm handsome, even though I still see someone hideous staring back at me from the mirror... when I have the courage to look.

However, what you really want to know is will YOU have the same problem. Seriously, most people don't. It depends on so many factors. Things like excessive scarring (stretch marks), skin elasticity (healthy, moisture-laden skin), youth (face it, older means less resilient) and the amount of yo-yo dieting you've put yourself through (in my case a LOT). There are other factors, as well, but those are the biggies.

How well you treat yourself after the surgery can make a big difference in how successful your journey is, in so many ways. Eat well, exercise (within reason, because that can cause damage, too) and make sure that you keep your skin clean and healthy (lotion and/or vitamins) and you stand a good chance at avoiding the "abdominal apron," and other areas, that I deal with.

I've said this before and it bears repeating. Weight Loss Surgery is poorly named, in my humble opinion. The surgery doesn't make you lose weight. The trauma to your body and your desperate struggle to adjust is what causes the weight loss. It's about your state of mind, more than anything else. Educate yourself now! Learn, as much as you can, from others who have been through the procedure. There are great websites, like ObesityHelp.org, and support groups. Don't be ashamed or embarassed. It's a HUGE change and you're going to need help. That's not a prophecy of doom, it's a cold, hard fact. No one I know of can go through this alone. They shouldn't ever have to, either.

<whew> Okay, end of rant. Does that answer your question?

Love and light, dear ones.
Rev