Will excess skin be an issue after surgery? PIC

[Life's too short]

So I booked surgery with one of the most reputable Gyno Drs in the country. But one thing bothers me. I fear that I will have excess skin after surgery given the size of my breasts.

I'm 26 and used to be very overweight (I lost 110lbs over 3.5 years) and I'm probably about 10-20 lbs off my goal weight 210lbs. At my heaviest I was 340lbs with much bigger man boobs than I currently have (I did carry the extra weight well so wasn't as big as other guys would be with the same excess weight). I know that I have gyno from when I was 20 and in great shape - breasts were still prominent so my weight has only worsened them over the past few years.

The Dr, Karidis, who I have booked surgery, after he examined me was very re-assuring that the skin would snap back and was quick to dismiss the idea that excess skin would be an issue. He's very experienced in gyno 1000+ ops so I am inclined to trust him but something tells me that there must be excess skin after, given their size.

I guess it doesn't make too much of a difference anyway as it's always going to be a two part process - you get the surgery and see what the skin is like after, then give it time to tighten up and at a later stage if absolutely necessary have skin removed. With the scarring that comes with it, you'd definitely want to give the skin time to tighten up. Another Dr told me this, so this doesn't really affect my decision for surgery or anything.

Any thoughts or experience with excess skin post-surgery? Pic below

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Great question. You are in good hands with Dr. Karidis.

You are correct -- excess weight does stretch out the skin and it invariably loses some of its intrinsic elasticity and ability to self-tighten.  I have found that that the younger you are when the weight loss occurs, the better the residual skin elasticity.  The only way to know, though, is to have the surgery with minimal scar techniques.  Then give yourself 6-12 months for the skin to self tighten as much as it can by itself.  At that future time, you can re-assess with your surgeon and decide if further skin tightening would be needed or if you are satisfied with the results as they are.

If you feel that additional skin tightening may be needed, there are a number of ways this can be done.  But realize that with the skin having tightened to some extent, there is less redundant skin to deal with and thus you can anticipate smaller scars.

Good luck with your surgery!

Dr Jacobs

[Geoff88]

My gyne was worse than yours, particularly on one side and yes I have excess skin.  Being quite a lot older than you, and having only a small amount of excess skin myself which after 14-15 weeks isn't too bad - I think you'll find your skin will tighten without any trouble given your levels.

[Life's too short]

Thanks, I appreciate the responses! 
I really hope the skin will tuck back in.
I don't mind having stretch marks and elastic skin (the kind that shows only when you pull it) which i expect to have. I just don't want to have empty loose skin hanging off my chest like a baggy t shirt. 

[res.Cogitans]

Yes it will snap back- i had the twice of your gyno, with similar excess skin, but its not a problem.. After many weeks, after bruishes will go away, it will start shrinking significally. Dont worry at all.. And after 6-8 months, it wont be there anything to discuss of

[Life's too short]

res.Cogitans thanks for that very reassuring reply, do you by any chance have pics pre-op? I would be very interested to see them. 

[res.Cogitans]

Yep sure, i will post to you in pm, because i will put them all before/after after few weeks, at the section "my story" and my whole experience..