Liposuction, Male teen

[josh.thomas]

Hey Guys! Its coming up to my 18th, and I'm having some money, and when I go to university, my car will sell for about �3,000 - as I won't need it anymore.

Over the past 3 years, I've lost weight, not really through exercising - but eating less and the correct foods, and 'growing up'. I'm still about 2 1/2 - 3 stone over weight - which shows on my stomach and chest. Obviously, being a boy - its quite hideous.

I was thinking about getting lipouction on the tops of my legs (not much at all as its not really where the weight is), and my chest (being a boy, its just not right to have moobs!) and a tummy tuck.

I understand this will not make me 'like a rake' - and its not the look I'm going for. Because of my build, shape, and 'the way I am' - I will never have washboard abs etc, and its not what I want. Nor am I on a radical mission to go from obese to model-material. I am neither obese, nor do I wish to be 'perfect'.

I simply want to regain some confidence, lessen my size (down from a 39" waist, to a 35/36"). Its something I've spoken to my family about, and they are happy as long as I am.

After surgery I would really concentrate in 'toning up' and not putting weight back on. I wouldn't want to lose more and get a six pack bla bla, as its not my shape, anyway. Just lose the 'bulk'.

If any one has any information, or has had surgery please respond. Am I too big for surgery? I'm about 15 1/2 stone, I should be about 13, I believe. I'm 5.9ft

[tiggeralix]

Hi there,
if you watched channel 5 the other week a teenager the same age as you had his stomach done and such forth and he was around the 32 stone mark. i can only suggest you talk to your gp and they can refer you to the correct [people

[Ethel]

You are far too young to think about unnecessary surgery for the sake of vanity.

Tummy tucks leave scars. Liposuction is extremely violent. All surgery carries risks.

It doesn't strike me that you are seriously overweight, and you are aware of the benefits of healthy eating.

Start concentrating on toning up now - then you won't feel the need for the surgery. It would be ideal if you could find a sport that you enjoy. This would give you confidence, new friends and tone you up and help you to lose more weight.

Get a pushbike, and cycle. Go swimming. Anything to get you moving more.

You have not stopped growing. My guess is you will naturally grow taller and leaner over the next year or two.

Enjoy your life.

[josh.thomas]

I'm less than half his weight.

Whats weird is, I don't look ''fat''. I look overweight, yes, but when I'm dressed and look in the mirror, or other peoples (strangers, and honest peoples) opinions are that I'm overweight - not a 'fatty'.

Anyway, I've looked into BUPA in Cardiff, I might call for a route quote then go down for an appointment and see what they say. I could lose more weight between now and next summer (When Im thinking of having it done)

Thanks!

[josh.thomas]

Thanks Ethel.

I don't need confidence where friends are concerned, meeting people all that. I always wear the same clothes as everyone else, and fit into every XL garment in a store.

I go out and have a good time - its just something I would like to do, before starting a new chapter at university, it would give me happiness to be a lot smaller, and the inspiration to stay that way.

In my current 'state' - I dont think I could 'tone' up, and I would need a kick start and then told how to train etc, to lose the rest.

I'll contact BUPA and see whats said. :-)

[kissyfur]

Have you tried to tone up though? Its worth trying before invasive surgery. I was very overweight but through ALOT of hard work and support I lost the weight and now have a body which is rock solid, proving that you can do it if you try! And just think what else you could spend the cash on xx

[Ethel]

Join a gym! Honestly it will be a lot cheaper and make you fitter inside as well as tone up the bits you can see.

If you choose the gym carefully you can have a proper montiored training programme.

As I said before, you haven't stopped growing yet - you will grow taller and leaner.

[josh.thomas]

Well done, Kissyfur! Did you see your GP for a diet and a program? I think thats what I'm going to do this week. Its a bit (understatement of the year!) having to show everything off, obviously he's going to want to assess me etc - but it'll be worth it.

I'm going to look into a gym as well, get as much off as I can - but well done to you!

Apparently Harley Med. Group won't accept me unless I'm down to 13 stone anyway - which is a bit odd, as some of my very fit friends way a tad over that. Oh well, Hopefully the Doc will bring good news this week..

[kissyfur]

I agree with ethel, dont be intimidated by the gym, the instructors are there to help and offer advice.

[josh.thomas]

Yeah, I understand that. And without sounding big headed - I have a LOT of confidence, and I guess going to a gym would make me feel vulernable, with all these super-fit people around who only go there for upkeep.

Still, I'll go - it cant hurt. And choose a gym where none of my friends go! :-)

[kissyfur]

I went to my local gym and they gave me advice on eating training the lot. I now am a memeber of a running team and cycling team which motivates me to keep going even on bad days. I lost 5 stone in total and feel better than ever. I did go to my gp and he montered me. These people are paid to do what they do so use them to your advantage. I never believed that I could be toned but i now have a lovely little four pack (Im a woman) It can be done, have faith in yourself!!

[kissyfur]

And dont be put off by other people in the gym, remember they might have been in your position once x

[josh.thomas]

Thanks dude! I wouldn't mind going 3/4 times a week to the gym, and food isn't a vice for me so thats easily changeable.

How long did it change for you to lose this weight?

WELL BLOODY DONE! :-)

[kissyfur]

I lost just over a stone in the first month then averaged at about 2-3lbs a week, that way you know you are burning fat not muscle. Just think by going to the gym not only will you get your body in shape but you will fell so much better as it is a known way to self confidence and happiness. You wont get that from lying on a surgeons table. At first it was hard to go but it soon became part of my daily routine and I would never go back to how I was. Its all in the mind, tell yourself you can do it-and you will x

[saxy_jag]

Josh, people here have suggested speaking to your GP in the first instance and I would agree with them, as there may be other alternatives. It may be that you'll look just fine in a couple of years if you carry on as you are doing, and it would be much better to let it happen naturally.

You've said yourself that you've lost weight, exercised and changed your lifestyle, so you're clearly motivated and committed to change. This would go in your favour when the doctors make any decisions about how suitable you'd be for any treatment. You also seem to be very realistic about the possible outcomes of any surgery (ie, you don't want to be an Adonis, you just want to look a little better), which is another good thing.

A chap I know, in his 50s, was morbidly obese and was told he'd be dead in a year if he didn't do something. He was actually recommended to have his stomach stapled, which he did, and he's lost a huge amount of weight - riding a motorbike again now, which was his motivation. He's been left with a load of flab around his middle and he's going to have a tummy tuck done on the NHS. I know you can have similar surgery in the tops of legs and arms. I think the thinking is that great folds of flab can be difficult to keep clean and can often rub and cause soreness, leading to infection.

I would keep your money for uni - you're going to need it. And you'll be surprised how accepting people at uni can be about size and image etc.

I wish you well in your studies and your weight loss - now go out there and enjoy yourself.

[Ethel]

Going 3 times a week to a gym will give you a difference you can see and feel in 6 weeks.

You will see a lot of very large people there, as well as the very fit.

I can assure you that everyone is too concerned about themselves to be looking at you anyway!

[Dizzieblonde]

I suspect anywhere reputable would say you were a bit too young still - they might consider you, and then ask you to return in a year or so if you definitely want to go through with it. Legs are a difficult area to take fat from anyway as it's still mostly muscle, and the scars will be quite noticable. That said, I'm only 26 but have had botox a few times so I know how it feels when people tell you you're too young or you don't need it! Book a consultation and see what they say - you can always change your mind.

[sue11]

Hi Josh, you sound like a very level headed young man! I think the previous answers given are very good advice and I feel that as so far, you have not really exercised then trying this would be a better way to lose the excess weight. If you have to lose another two stone before anyone will consider you for surgery, then you will probably lose a lot of it that way. When I was exercising, my gym instructor told me that you lose weight from top down, so your chest and stomach should see results quicker than hips etc.
I had plastic surgery some years ago, a nose job and I was really pleased with the results, but as you are so young and can change your body with exercise, then I really would say that you need to try this first and then go for surgery as a last resort.
All the best, Sue

[josh.thomas]

Thanks to all who just replied.

I'm booking a Dr's appointment Monday morning to work out a diet plan, and then an induction in the gym the same day, and getting a membership.

I'm going to go a minimum of 3 times a week, and do what they think will be best to lose weight to become a 'decent' size - not some Adonis!

Plastic surgery I guess was a bit extreme.. but I thought it would take years to lose 'naturally'!

I think your right (whoever said it) - 2 stone I need to lose to have surgery is probably a bulk of the weight, anyway - I weigh 15 and a bit stone, not 25+ as people with serious problems do (sorta puts it in perspective!)

Here's too the next few months, I'll keep you all posted! :-)

[kissyfur]

just remember this alot of women do not find skinny men attractive, me being one of them! I like a guy to feel big and protective over me so if you lose that two stone and turn it into muscle you will be just right! x