Extra Skin

[Sue500100]

Hi I'm Suzanne and I am from England and I am new to this forum and I am not sure if there is anyone here that can help me. I have been following sw for 15 months and I have lost 7 1/2 stone so far. I am now left with a lot of excess skin.
1. Does anyone know where/how I can find out my percentage body fat? As I feel my weight and bmi will be being affected by the weight of this skin.
2. Does anyone have any experience of trying to get surgery on the nhs to remove excess skin?


I am a little discouraged at the moment cos despite my weight loss the rolls of skin are making me more unhappy about my body than the excess weight did. I do realise that the weight loss has had profound health benefits but am feeling depressed at the thought of living with these spare tyres.
Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[jensonbuttongirl]

No advice but I'm following because I've got a similar amount to loose and worried about having the same problem. Hoping there will be lots of people saying it goes gradually

 

[Poppet12]

What a fantastic weight loss! well done
i gather the scales in boots/gyms etc can calculate body fat percentages- I believe they work by sending a mild electrical current through the body via your feet or hands- whichever is bare- and the level of resistance indicates body fat.
Sorry I can't help with the skin removal/NHS question. Bit extreme but don't think you have to feature- have you tried the embarrassing bodies website on c4? I know they did a weight loss special recently-there may be some advice on there re current policy xx

 

[Nolava]

Hi Sue, well done with the loss! Surgary on the NHS varies around the country, some will allow it, some won't. There is nothing wrong with asking, I will be having a tummy tuck in a few years, I will be trying the NHS if they say no my husband says he will pay for it. The thing is, when you speak to your gp you need to make it clear how depressed it makes you feel, does it make you feel less womanly? Is it affecting your sex life? Etc etc, I think you get the idea! If you speak to your GP, he/she will draw up a letter requesting for the NHS do this for you, he/she will put down all your reasons why, you need to get the people who decide to basically feel sorry for you. Do you have any extreme reactions/thoughts to your skin? I sometimes wish I could chop it off myself with my kitchen knives (extreme I know!), tell your GP everything! If the NHS does say no, there are many payment plans which are available if you do decide to go private! Good luck! xx

 

[MelonCollie]

Talk to your doctor, apparently the NHS are starting to fund skin removal surgery. (A woman at group told me her doctor is referring her to a specialist for it)
So yeah, try to talk to your doctor. See if they can help with referring you. Mention how your excess skin is depressing you as well.
Good luck, and please let us know how you get on.