People who lose a massive weight face another struggle - excess skin. The amount of skin left after a significant weight loss is a less explored part of one's health journey. Even if the body is lighter, it still makes people unhappy because the folds of sagging skin give them a large amount of emotional and physical pain.
It is the case of the once 393-pound mother who took to TikTok to document her weight loss journey and share her body full of excess skin after losing 238 pounds or equivalent to more than half her previous weight.
Yuli Cruz, 27, is prepared for a post bariatric surgery at a clinic center, on October 16, 2014, in Cali, Colombia.
393-pound Mother Documents Weight Loss and Excess Skin Problem
Chessie Passmore, 36, reached 393 pounds at her heaviest weight when she decided to lose weight. In a TikTok video, she shared that her comfort eating after giving birth to her children contributed to her weight. Passmore would consume up to 12 cans of fizzy pop per day, plus lots of pasta, and bread that eventually gave her knee issues.
Due to her considerable weight, she was often bullied in school and was called many names. When she gave birth to her kids in 2006, she vowed to lose weight, but even the trendy weight loss gimmicks failed, and her addiction to bread and unhealthy food worsened. It came to a point when she felt disgusted by herself.
She knows that she is doing a lot of harm to her body, so she decided to get a gastric band. The New York Post reported that this helped Passore lose weight as it limits the size of her stomach and lowers tolerance to unhealthy food that she once loved. She also changed her diet from cheeseburgers, candy, soda, and fries to consuming only protein shakes, fruit, granola, and grilled chicken.
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Passmore eventually lost 238 pounds, but she did not expect to struggle with the excess skin left. The sagging skin droops off her body, limiting her mobility and causing her pain and rashes. More so, the excess skin on her arms flaps around.
She mentioned that she loves to swim and wants to get back into the water to live a normal life. But she would need surgery that is scheduled for November. Since she could not afford all of the necessary expenses, she started a GoFundMe account.
ALSO READ: Bariatric Surgery Alters Taste Buds Leading to Weight Loss, Study Says
Removing the Excess Skin After Weight Loss
According to WebMD, the elasticity of the skin depends on how long a person is obese. It would not matter how many pounds they lose, but it is less likely to bounce back the longer it is stretched out. Dr. Marie Jhin, a dermatologist in San Francisco, explains that the skin is like a balloon that does not return to its original shape once it is deflated after being stretched when air is inside.
She pointed out that this has something to do with age and genetics, noting that everyone will eventually lose the elastic tissue as they get older. The saggy skin will not only bring embarrassment but also lead to rashes and yeast infections in the folds as perspiration could get trapped. Dermatologists recommend using powder or cornstarch to absorb the moisture.
Since there is no magic cream or drug that will push and pull the skin back, Jhin said that the only way to deal with it is through surgery. NBC News reported that those who went through extreme weight loss and underwent surgery to lose excess skin fared much better than those who did not.
However, only 20% of patients get body contouring because it is expensive. A total body lift could cost up to $30,000. Unfortunately, most health insurance can only pay for a tummy tuck because stomach folds can often get infected, but they would not pay for other body parts for cosmetic reasons.
RELATED ARTICLE: Bariatric Surgery Gives More Benefits Than Just Help Lose Weight, Studies Show
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