Extra skin??

Generic_Excuse

Back story: At 21 I was about 145 lbs (5'2") and got pregnant with my son. I gained about 40 lbs during that pregnancy and after yo-yo'd 20 lbs of that 190. My son was a c-section (emergency) leaving me with a "pouch". I then 7 months later got pregnant again and had another c section and only after 4 months after that I got pregnant again with my youngest and had yet another c section. Leaving me no time to lose any of the weight I had put on. It has now been 1 1/2 years since I had my last baby.

Now: I am 220 lbs (having lost about 10 lbs with MFP and eating healthier). But I am terrified of losing weight and being left with a ton of hanging skin where my tummy pouch is now. I am hoping someone out there knows a trick to make sure my skin stretches back as much as it can or some success stories of a similar situation. PLEASE NO RUDE COMMENTS. I ALREADY BEAT MYSELF UP ENOUGH.

jenniferinfl

You won't know until you get to goal. Even after you get down to your goal weight, it may still take another 6 months or so to know for sure what you're ending up with. Some people's skin goes back, some doesn't. Mine didn't when I lost weight over a decade ago and at that point I hadn't even had a kid. I had a flap still, though it was smaller. Though, I've seen people lose a lot more weight than me and much faster and have their skin go right back. So, in other words, your results will vary.
I'd rather have to tuck a small flap into my jeans as annoying as it is than be 200+ lbs like I am now..

almostplenty

Avoid rapid weight loss, 1-2 pounds a week is a good goal. Too rapid of weight loss and your skin elasticity won't keep up. Start weight training. Having well-defined muscle hides/minimizes loose skin. Drink water! Skin elasticity is also affected by hydration.

andreamulhall

I also had an emergnancy section a year and a half ago , I know the pouch

mccindy72

Nothing you can do. Just lose the weight and see what happens. There are no tricks, it just depends on how your skin stretches. My own skin is thick and doesn't stretch well, so I ended up with a stretched belly, but it's not that noticeable. Honestly, I notice it more than anyone else really does. It's just a part of me that I really don't notice, and I earned it by giving life to my sons. I have a little extra skin that I have to tuck into my pants when I sit down. Otherwise, not a big deal.

Generic_Excuse

Agreed I would rather tuck skin than be overweight. Was just hoping there was something I could do to help avoid it. I will defiantly try to lose weight appropriately and drink plenty of water but with being over 200 lbs I am losing weight fast right now in the beginning like 4-5 lbs a week the first 2 weeks so far I am sure it will slow down but it's just another concern to having a future tummy parachute...

mccindy72

everyone loses weight fast at first. That's water weight, and it won't last. Just stick to 1-2 lbs. per week and you will be fine.

LanaBerk

Most every young person's skin will bounce back. I think most don't want to wait. I am going on 69 and lost over 100 lbs, so I think I may know what I am talking about. Even my skin has bounced back a little AND that's saying something!

Merkavar

I am a little concerned about lose skin. If I reach goal I will have lost 140 pounds or more. Lost like 80+ already and it doesn't seem so bad yet.

But like I think some one else said I would prefer lose skin to being overweight. (If it's that bad I'm sure I could get surgery, maybe start a kick starter, maybe threaten doctors by sending topless pics with my lose skin painted to look like famous art works)

If my lose skin gets bad I can get some bulldog clips and clip the lose skin up on my side so I have a proper pouch.

Fill it with stationary, my phone, be a surrogate mother for a kangaroo.

Generic_Excuse

Thanks everyone for not only the info but just helping me with some insecurities.

fiskgyrl

I will be losing over 100 pounds and I am sure I will have sagging skin, but I will most definitely have surg, I am not hiding or tucking loose skin, I spent my entire life hiding and tucking, after all of this work I will not do that anymore. I think I will start a SURG jar today!

mccindy72

LanaBerk wrote: »

Most every young person's skin will bounce back. I think most don't want to wait. I am going on 69 and lost over 100 lbs, so I think I may know what I am talking about. Even my skin has bounced back a little AND that's saying something!

This is not true. Every person's skin is different. Depending on the thickness of the skin, the amount of collagen in it, and how far it is stretched, different people's skin will rebound differently. My belly skin was stretched by pregnancy and weight gain when I was 17, and then again less than a year later by another pregnancy, and never rebounded.

Generic_Excuse

Merkavar wrote: »

I am a little concerned about lose skin. If I reach goal I will have lost 140 pounds or more. Lost like 80+ already and it doesn't seem so bad yet.

But like I think some one else said I would prefer lose skin to being overweight. (If it's that bad I'm sure I could get surgery, maybe start a kick starter, maybe threaten doctors by sending topless pics with my lose skin painted to look like famous art works)

If my lose skin gets bad I can get some bulldog clips and clip the lose skin up on my side so I have a proper pouch.

Fill it with stationary, my phone, be a surrogate mother for a kangaroo.

Lol you can start a trend I will follow it hahahaha

Generic_Excuse

fiskgyrl wrote: »

I will be losing over 100 pounds and I am sure I will have sagging skin, but I will most definitely have surg, I am not hiding or tucking loose skin, I spent my entire life hiding and tucking, after all of this work I will not do that anymore. I think I will start a SURG jar today!

That is a GREAT IDEA! I can start saving now and worst case scenario my skin stretches back and I get to spend that money on all the things I have been hiding from from being overweight and self conscious.

sstudulski

Based on the experiences of some people that I know that lost large amounts of weight, it seems that skin does not stretch back for many people.

For those that need and want surgery, maybe this is a time for one of those medical vacations to get this done in a country with much lower medical costs (but still very good medical care).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism

mccindy72

sstudulski wrote: »

Based on the experiences of some people that I know that lost large amounts of weight, it seems that skin does not stretch back for many people.

For those that need and want surgery, maybe this is a time for one of those medical vacations to get this done in a country with much lower medical costs (but still very good medical care).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism

Um, yeah..... hm. wikipedia is SUCH a good resource for good medical advice. I took care of a girl who got a medical procedure done out of country to save money. She almost died of sepsis, and rang up hundreds of thousands of dollars in emergency medical care to boot. Don't do that.
A fully tummy tuck will cost around $10,000 just so you know. Learn to love yourself as you are and save the dough. It's not that noticeable.

Generic_Excuse

sstudulski wrote: »

Based on the experiences of some people that I know that lost large amounts of weight, it seems that skin does not stretch back for many people.

For those that need and want surgery, maybe this is a time for one of those medical vacations to get this done in a country with much lower medical costs (but still very good medical care).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism

Oooo no. I will just save my $$.

mccindy72

clperrault89 wrote: »

sstudulski wrote: »

Based on the experiences of some people that I know that lost large amounts of weight, it seems that skin does not stretch back for many people.

For those that need and want surgery, maybe this is a time for one of those medical vacations to get this done in a country with much lower medical costs (but still very good medical care).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism

Oooo no. I will just save my $$.

I'm glad to hear it!

Generic_Excuse

I know that there are still doctors that do "mini tummy tucks" during c sections in my area so I will concentrate on getting healthy and losing weight and if I do have flop and have more kids (which I fully intend to do but want to get to a better place with myself first) maybe I will look into that. I also know from my brother that Insurance will cover such surgeries if it is a necessary surgery.

Generic_Excuse

Loving myself is a challenge for me but I will keep working at that. I think it plays a big part in me being so worried about having extra skin in the first place.

jgnatca

You have a few things in your favour including your youth. Give it time; I am guessing much of it will bounce back.

Generic_Excuse

Thanks for the kind words

elphie754

sstudulski wrote: »

Based on the experiences of some people that I know that lost large amounts of weight, it seems that skin does not stretch back for many people.

For those that need and want surgery, maybe this is a time for one of those medical vacations to get this done in a country with much lower medical costs (but still very good medical care).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism

Oh goodness no. The reason it is cheaper is because they tend to have lower standards. This is a wonderful way to find yourself disabled for life, or even dead.

LanaBerk

jgnatca wrote: »

You have a few things in your favour including your youth. Give it time; I am guessing much of it will bounce back.

Thank you! Yes, most of the young's skin will bounce back. It may take two years for most of it to shrink. I think many get so excited and just want to get on with their new life. Of course, there will be exceptions but there if a lot to say about being young.

As stated, even mine has bounced back quite a bit, and that is with a huge weight loss at the age of almost 69. Of course, if I were young, I would be devastated at the looks of my skin. So it is all a matter of patience and acceptance.

BWBTrish

In the beginning you lose fast, .....most of the time. Water weight. So it will slow down for most people. ( I seem to be lucky i lost almost 80 pounds in 5 months and still losing 1.5 a week).
Your skin will catch up with you, but can take two years to "bounce back". That doesn't mean you wont have a saggy skin. But it takes about 2 years to shrink and than stops shrinking.

This is one of the reasons why a good clinic advice you to do a tummy tuck about 2 years after reaching your goal weight. And maintained at that weight.

Some factors will be influencing the shrinking, Like being young, or and genetics etc.

But like most people who are determent to lose the weight and get fitter and healthier, the saggy skin is something they accept in return for a healthier life style.

Generic_Excuse

TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »

In the beginning you lose fast, .....most of the time. Water weight. So it will slow down for most people. ( I seem to be lucky i lost almost 80 pounds in 5 months and still losing 1.5 a week).
Your skin will catch up with you, but can take two years to "bounce back". That doesn't mean you wont have a saggy skin. But it takes about 2 years to shrink and than stops shrinking.

This is one of the reasons why a good clinic advice you to do a tummy tuck about 2 years after reaching your goal weight. And maintained at that weight.

Some factors will be influencing the shrinking, Like being young, or and genetics etc.

But like most people who are determent to lose the weight and get fitter and healthier, the saggy skin is something they accept in return for a healthier life style.

I would definitely accept saggy skin for healthier life and being able to chase after my kids and just do all the things I am restricted right now.

crazyjerseygirl

Ha! I've had the paunch since puberty, so I know it well! If I'm doing my math right you are at most in your mid to late 20s, you are gonna have a decent bounce. If not, save up for the surgery! I sure would!
If you can survive 3 sections, you can survive them snipping some skin!

NickJustin44

My wife dealt with similar issues after our second child. I love her dearly but she struggled a lot with self image issues. I PMed you a link about a product that worked really well for her. It isn't invasive and it certainly a lot less expensive. I can't post it on the forums as I think it would be classified as advertising and I don't want to get booted.

No matter what your choice, I hope you can find your confidence again, and your attitude about your health and kids is inspiring to someone who is starting his health kick. I wish you the best of luck

taraaaxo

As long as you add strengthening workouts to your gym routine you will have no problem with extra skin, if your going to do 1 hour of cardio for weight loss even it out with 45 mins of leg press, squats, toe taps or any toning excersise will do. My older brother is a personal trainer and he deals with clients who have the same concern all the time, but dont fear as long as you tone while doing weight loss routines you'll have no lose flabs

kimberlydgarcia

Merkavar wrote: »

If my lose skin gets bad I can get some bulldog clips and clip the lose skin up on my side so I have a proper pouch.

Fill it with stationary, my phone, be a surrogate mother for a kangaroo.

Haha! Best thing I've read all day!

NickJustin44

Well, the extra loose skin seemed to go away after she used the product a handful of times over a couple of weeks. However, I suppose it could be do to bounce back or other factors but I guess I would have thought we would have seen a reduction before then.