Note: This is a completely random post. I'm in a rambling mood.
Did you know:
- Skin is the largest organ of the human body
- Adults on average have 6 pounds of skin
- The skin of an average person could stretch 22 square feet
- Without skin we'd pretty much evaporate?
So, while I'm thankful for my skin, I also must say that I have abused it pretty badly. I probably have way more than the average 6 pounds of skin, and it could for sure stretch over 22 square feet. My skin may have many marks to show for the stretching, but it's held together pretty well on it's own. I'm thankful for it. Now, however, I'm noticing that it doesn't like to snap back when I start being good to the rest of my body. It hangs, like a deflated balloon.
I've heard some people say “ew, I'd rather be fat than have all that loose skin!” Really? Forgo your health for vanity? Nice.
But this week, (get ready for the oversharing…) I have gotten a puffy/blister/red/sore- thing. It is due to a new fold of skin that has magically appeared this week due to my weight loss. While examining it in the mirror, I also noticed my inner thighs- they have these droopy bag look to them. Hooray self-esteem!
I got an email the other week asking if I was considering having plastic surgery after losing all the weight. I chuckled before I instantly replied: “heck yes!” I have fantasies about it. Yes, yes, I know I'm still not even half way to my goal, but thinking about having my lower abdomen go away is really exciting.
For those who have never heard of it, a panniculus is an excess of fat in the lower abdomen area. Also referred to as a “hanging pannus” (had to make sure I didn't have a typo there!). For some reason, I've always had this issue, even in elementary/middle school. I have visions of losing this weight, having all this loose skin, and then having some magical doctor slice off my pannus (again, I'm a 2nd grader and think that's a funny word).
But for now, those visions of plastic surgery fairies will stay in my head as I deal with the loose skin and this first of what I'm sure will be many rashes/blisters/sore -thing's. I must remember not to curse my skin or any of it's irritation, as it continues to serve me well as I work to fix the rest of my body I abused for so long.
