Three days ago I had a thighplasty and posterior back lift to get rid of the remaining extra skin I had on my body after losing 125 pounds.
Three and a half years ago I weighed over 260 pounds. I lost 125 pounds and since then I’ve maintained between 135 and 142 pounds.
There have been a few seasons of regain and losing again as I’ve learned how to balance and maintain my weight for the first time in my life but for the last two years I’ve very consistently maintained my weight and lifestyle changes.
Warning: This post contains graphic images! If you get queasy easily you may not want to read this post.
I’ve learned that maintaining a healthy lifestyle really is about making long-term changes in order to see sustainable progress and lasting success. For the last three and a half years I’ve been dedicated to eating well, exercising, and making deep emotional changes to help facilitate these things.
But there are some things that just don’t budge… like skin.
(The above video was taken a couple of days before surgery.)
Excess skin is something that bothers some more than others. It was something that never really bothered me and when asked I would boldly say that I’d never electively choose to have surgery… 😏😂
And then I began working out. It was heavy, it literally pulls your body down, it requires binding to stabilize it, and even then if you bind often you’re more prone to rashes. It’s hot, it makes clothing fit strangely, and it can be a real turn-off in bed, for me, not Brady, he doesn’t really care (let’s get real).
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I get messages almost daily from people telling me they’re afraid to get healthy because they don’t want to have to deal with extra skin and please hear me when I say, the freedom that getting well has given me outshines the few encumbrances I’ve had to deal with in the wake.
I would choose the extra skin over the extra 125 pounds any day!
But I got to a point in my journey where there was literally no real reason to keep the skin around any longer. I made the decision to continue my skin removal journey and have my back and thigh skin excised by my favorite surgeon Dr. Grant Stevens.
Photo of Dr. Stevens and I
Headed into this surgery I honestly didn’t think I’d lose any weight at all. My excess abdominal skin only weighed 3ish pounds and I felt like my thighs and back had a little bit more but not much. Skin removal surgeries are not weight loss surgeries but repair surgeries. They improve quality of life by getting rid of the heavy, hanging, extra.
Most people want to know how much weight they’ll lose after the skin is gone and usually the scale doesn’t budge much. The scale didn’t move at all noticeably after my tummy tuck and I also stayed the same size after surgery.
Which is why I was in for such a shock on Tuesday when I had my final skin removal surgeries on my thighs and my back… they removed 11.8 pounds!
Back Skin
Leg Skin
Hip Skin
I am just absolutely flabbergasted! My back skin weighed almost twice as much as my tummy skin did. I knew it was heavy but I had no idea it was THAT heavy!
My lowest weight before surgery was 133 but on surgery day I had just started my period and was up a few pounds at 138.8.
Photo Taken A Couple Hours Post Op
Three days after surgery and I’m already 137.6 which is crazy because my body is so swollen and retaining fluid!
Photo Taken Three Days Post Op
I plan to document over the next few weeks how skin removal corresponds with the scale as my body releases the post surgery bloat. In my mind once I get below 135 that is true skin loss and not just bloat from my cycle or surgery water gain.
Be on the lookout for more “after” photos coming soon!
Photo Taken Three Days Post Op
I put off surgery for so long because I was concerned about what others would think but I’m glad I finally let that go. I made this choice for myself and it was the best choice for me! 🙂
Subscribe for updates here as I continue to detail this journey or head over to my Instagram stories to watch the day-to-day!
Brittany Williams has taken the weight loss world by storm with her best-selling Instant Loss Cookbook. After reaching a peak weight of 260 pounds and spending a lifetime struggling with obesity, yo-yo dieting, autoimmune diseases, and chronic fatigue, Brittany changed her relationship with food and lost an astonishing 125 pounds in a year through diet alone.
Brittany’s latest book, Instant Loss Eat Real, Lose Weight shows how to make this a sustainable lifestyle with kid and family-friendly meals—from Strawberry Shortcake Oatmeal to Cowboy Chili to Easy 2-Minute Pork Chops. Members of her growing community have reported losing 50 and even 100 pounds themselves, and this cookbook will help others achieve similar success with simple, delicious meals, nearly all ready in 30 minutes or less.
So awesome..yes, I’d choose extra skin too over extra pounds. Your journey is inspiring and encouraging. I haven’t had as much weight to lose, but no matter the amount it can be a struggle and a journey of learning what works and what we can be consistent with. I have both your books and one is sitting next to me as I sit down to plan meals for the next few weeks.
Congrats lady! You’re beautiful, thanks for sharing <3
❤️good job!
Brittany, I hope you heal quickly! Thank you for sharing your life with so many. You are an inspiration.
Thank you so much Rhoda!
I am so happy for you taking care of you!! Praying for a quick recovery! 🙏❤️
I’m so glad you stopped worrying about what others would think and did this surgery! You looked beautiful before but now you can feel more comfortable! I’m so impressed with this whole blog! Keep it up! You’re an inspiration to all!
Awww thank you so much for the love and support Merlinda!
Praying for a speedy recovery Brittany! I’m so glad you made your choice based on what is good and appropriate FOR YOU and not based on what others say or think. Thank you once again for your vulnerability and authenticity. You continue to be such an inspiration for SO many! ❤️
I just love your open, honest, sharing of your adventures. Thankyou so much for your bravery. Your inner light is just blinding 😘
Brittany, thanks for sharing the details. It is really fascinating! Praying that you heal quickly and have wisdom about how to get back into the swing of life (SLOWLY)! God bless you and your sweet family.
Becky
Thank you Becky!
You will look even more fabulous!
Been keeping you in my prayers for healing! Thank you for documenting your journey and reenforcing that you did this for you. I love your message that it’s ok to change your mind and you should not feel ashamed for taking care of your body.
Being open is very freeing and you have proved it. I admire what you have done for yourself and consequently for others!
Praying for a speedy recovery. Love how real and honest you are with us, thanks you!!!
What a wonderful job that you have done God bless you and I hope you heal very quickly I’m so proud of you for taking charge of your life… thank you for being so honest.
Wow, that is amazing and those pictures are amazing in that woah-amazing-sorta gross but woah-totally amazing sorta of way. 😂 thanks for sharing! Congrats!!!!!
You’re amazing and I am happy for you! praying for a speedy recovery!
Thank you Tammi! I truly appreciate your kindness!
I can’t imagine how liberating this must feel for you. I have a ton of extra skin from gassing 50 lbs for my last pregnancy. Everyone thought I had triplets because my belly was enormous. To this day I have so much extra skin and fat there and it’s near impossible to recover.
I think I’ll have a tummy tuck. I can’t stand the rashes under my gut anymore.
I’m so happy you did what was right for YOU. You’re an inspiration!
Wow. Woke up this morning after a fun trip. Decided to weigh and gained another 10. Over the “big” number…..discouraged and then came upon your blog!! Wow. I am so inspired by your journey. Thank you. And hope your recovery is fast!!!