I said I wouldn't be that person - still critical

[JellieT0tz]

I swore when I started Mounjaro last year I'd be so happy to be slimmer and lighter even if it means loose skin and a tummy still. I've lost over 5 stone and im seeing my peers who have done the same now getting 360 tummy tuck and breast lifts. If you could guarantee I wouldn't die from surgery or complications I would do it, but I have horrible visions of being the Mum who left her family in pursuit of beauty when they would rather have me here than with a perfect figure!

My partner recorded a video of me walking yesterday and all I see is the heavy lower tummy, upper arms and back fat im still carrying. I know if I had surgery I'd go from 10 stone to about 8 stone and my figure would be so much more balanced.

How do you begin to love your body again, when you feel so happy to be slim but still have the niggles about the specifics.

I never expected my tummy would go completely and I could still lose another stone and be a healthy BMI but everyone says I dont need to lose anymore! I dont get it!

Firstly, wow, what an amazing achievement congratulations, you should be be proud of what you have acheived. Maybe now try and focus on the new things you can do in terms of health and fitness with being so much lighter? I think with keeping the healthy eating and exercise habits your body will firm up naturally over time. I'm just under a 5 stone loss and my skin is definitely recovering and shrinking back on its own with exercise. I still also have all my remaining weight on my tummy but I think it will sort itself will continued good habits.

I don’t think you would lose another two stone through surgery? I had a tummy tuck and they took off five pounds and said that was at the upper end of what they would do.

I am very much in awe of what my body can now do - yeah, my yoga is stronger, I can lift stronger weights etc but simple things like walking up the stairs instead of using hands and feet, walking downstairs without having to go sideways due to knee pain are the things I am amazed by!

TBH, if you are really not happy, lose that last stone! I am half a stone into a healthy bmi and 5 lbs from goal and can see that the last couple of pounds I have lost are shrinking the bits I dislike (well, my belly!) so have my fingers crossed for this last bit.

Agree with PP you wouldn't lose 2 stone from a tummy tuck.

Lose the extra stone yourself if you want to- if you'd still be a healthy BMI then it wouldn't be too much, ignore what others are saying. My experience is if people have been used to you being bigger they do respond quite strongly to the idea of you losing more weight.

Do you exercise? My friend is also on MJ and lost 6 stone on it, went from a size 16 to a size 8, and she has a six pack now because she exercises. It is possible to lose your tummy- and even if you don't, feeling stronger will make you feel so much better in yourself and less 'wobbly'.

I’ve lost just over 4 and a half stone since September, I have just under a stone left to hit the ‘ideal’ weight for my height according to online calculators. I have lots of flabby loose skin but I gained that over years and years of being obese.

ive read that skin can take a couple of years to shrink as much as it’s going to, so I’m hopeful there will be some improvement over time. I’m doing c25K and weight training to build up the muscles to fill up some of the skin with good stuff, I’m body brushing and moisturising and taking collagen.

Despite the loose skin, I look WAY better than I did, I feel WAY better than I did, I am healthier and more active and I can shop in any clothes store without being sized out.

Have you explored non surgical methods of skin tightening? Laser treatment, IPL etc? Might be worth a look.

I have lost 7 stone on MJ and feel your pain with the loose skin etc. I can’t abide to look at myself in the mirror naked, my stomach looks like melted candle wax and my boobs are like spaniels ears.
Its such a shame as overall I am happy with way how my body looks in clothes and my BMI is now 21 so even though I have a bit of a belly still (I think this is possibly partly diastasis recti) I can’t really lose any more weight.

I like to swim so I’m hoping that helps to tone up a bit but otherwise good control underwear and a decent bra are my friends.

If I had the money I would probably have my boobs done as a priority, but I don’t so I’m just going to have to work with what I’ve got and learn to love myself. Losing the weight already puts me in a much better position in that respect!

You have done amazingly, think about how much you have achieved and how much you body is thanking you. And then buy some Spanx!

Every time you get in a car you take a risk. Statistically, you will likely survive a tummy tuck and breast uplift.

Just do it.

How old are your children?

I don't think I could do the surgery either. I had my gallbladder out last year which was essential but the whole process terrified me and I wouldn't do it voluntarily. I do have some loose skin but I'm still losing weight so who knows in the future.
But you should give your body time. It will adapt and you may find the skin tightens. Try building a bit of muscle which will make it look better.
Most of all, be good to yourself. You've done a great thing for your health by losing the weight.

Give it two years at the new lower weight before making any decisions. If your skin hasn't adjusted and shrunk to fit by then you could talk to some people who have recently had the operation, find out how painful it is, and how long the pain lasts afterwards, and then make a more considered decision.

I've lost 3.5stone so far but have another 7. 5/8 to go.

Given how big I was it's likely I will have. A lot of lose skin and it is worrying me.

I want it not to bother me but it will properly hang.

If I could afford surgery I would do it although I like the idea of waiting until 2years at goal weight to do it.

I can just about afford the jabs 😳. I can't see how I'd ever afford surgery.

Sharing and hoping this doesn’t make you all more worried 😂 I’ve lost 5 stone now, there is loose and wrinkly skin,I’m hopeful time and exercise and moisturiser will improve it a bit but even if it doesn’t I still think overall it’s better now.

Learning to love your body isn’t really about changing your body. There will always be things you can find to hate about it.

Focus positively on it. How it looks in great clothes. What it does all day every day to keep you alive. How it grew your children. What it can do now it’s lighter and fitter. Write those positive things and add to the list every day. Notice the scars you have and how powerful it is to heal. Learn to look at it and see beauty in the curves and angles, the colours and textures. Get to know it properly. And don’t compare it with anyone else’s body. Yours is unique.

It’s definitely not 2 stone, I’ve had a 270 tummy tuck, arm and thighs all with lipo and it wasn’t even 7lb 🥴

on a positive they were really good recoveries, not painful as the nerves are cut so the areas are really numb for a long time. The worst bit is the internal itching that you just can’t scratch - that’s still there years later!

@InfoSecInTheCity I think you look great! You've done amazing and I don't think it's visible. That does the opposite of worry me if I can look like you - Well done on your loss.

I don't think I mind wrinkly skin (I had that fr a bit after childbirth) but I think after a huge half your weight loss it looks online like having handfuls of skin that bulge in clothes which I'm worried will need surgery.

But yes I will need to learn acceptance as we are broke!

You look great!