Maintaining Elasticity

StrawberryHippyGreens

Hey guys, I was wondering... As you lose weight slowly and if you're in your mid twenties like I am, will your skin maintain it's elasticity once you get to your goal weight? Right now I'm feeling more energy and more attractive since I've lost 50+ pounds, but my skin is starting to look "loose" in my arms. Just a little though so far. Will this eventually even out so I look toned once I'm at my goal weight? Let me know what your experiences are and what's realistic to expect. Thanks guys!

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aeloine

moosmum1972 wrote: »

Sadly genetics is your only real friend with this....it can take two years for skin to sort itself out so be patient.

Two years is generally considered the most that it will "snap back". After that, it's not suspected to change much.

It depends on your genetics, starting weight, how long you were overweight, how quickly you lose weight, and so many other factors. We won't be able to tell you with any certainty whether or not your skin will shrink.

What we CAN tell you is that loose skin is better than over weight, unhealthy, and miserable.

Your skin won't become loose overnight. You'll be able to check in with your body daily and maintain/slow down weight loss if you think that that's something that helps. It's something you'll have time to make peace with.

Congrats on losing the 50! Good luck!

StrawberryHippyGreens

@moosmum Oy. Not exactly the answer I was hoping for, but thank you for being honest and telling it like it is. Will my skin, if it does become very loose, eventually sort itself out on it's own naturally?

AnnPT77

Some of us go through phases where our fat cells deplete successfully, but not neatly from the outside layer then proceeding inward. Instead, the fat mass gets progressively more squishy or hang-y rather than its former firmness. Think of a full water balloon (firm, round), vs. a half-full one with just water, no air (kinda squishy, floppy).

This can be frustrating, for sure . . . but it will improve.

True loose skin is thin wrinkles. Think of the thickness your skin has if you pinch up some on part if your body that's bony, with little subcutaneous fat (such as elbow, kneecap, back of hand). It's the thickness of folds in a medium weight fabric.

Thicker folds, like 1/2" or more, still have some fat conspiring with gravity to keep it stretched. If you still have weight to lose, that will keep depleting.

Unfortunately, until you get quite close to goal weight, it's hard to assess what your end result will be, in terms of true loose skin and/or residual body fat (how much and where). Even at goal, you can work to increase muscle and lose fat at the same weight (body recomposition) to improve.

For me, the true loose skin (thin wrinkles) shrank pretty well, continuing to shrink into my 2nd year of maintenance. But I'm old (62) - yours may be faster.

Best wishes!

klkc2005

I'm 50 and have lost almost 50 pounds. I've lost it rather slowly and i try to use a good moisturizer all over most days. I am pleased to say that i have very little sagging. Good luck and remember that moisturizing and plenty of water are your best friends.

StrawberryHippyGreens

@AnnPT77 Thank you so much for giving a detailed explanation! Now I know what to prepare for and how to try and combat it.

MegaMooseEsq

StrawberryStonerLife wrote: »

@AnnPT77 Thank you so much for giving a detailed explanation! Now I know what to prepare for and how to try and combat it.

@AnnPT77 is the best - I always listen to what she's got to say! You might also want to check out this thread: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10453193/honest-loose-skin-thoughts-pics/p1

AnnPT77

MegaMooseEsq wrote: »

StrawberryStonerLife wrote: »

@AnnPT77 Thank you so much for giving a detailed explanation! Now I know what to prepare for and how to try and combat it.

@AnnPT77 is the best - I always listen to what she's got to say! You might also want to check out this thread: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10453193/honest-loose-skin-thoughts-pics/p1

Aw, y'all are so sweet: Thanks!

Li'l ol' lady just likes to see people happily achieving their healthy goals, and thriving.

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StrawberryHippyGreens

@moosmum1972 My mother is obese and my father is slender. He's Caucasian and my mom's African American. I'm 26. I figure since my dad's slender and I'm still young that I have a better shot? What do you think?

middlehaitch

As always @AnnPT77 is spot on.

What I would also add is: to get the best out of your genetics make sure you get plenty of protein ~.8g per lbs of lbm or mid BMI.

Both collagen and elastin are proteins that promote the elasticity of skin (as well as other things like veins, blood vessels and tendons), so making sure you are getting a good supply of protein. It will help you reach your genetic capability of recovery. (I think this is also why a slower loss may work better for some- better overall nutrition with higher calories.)

Exercise, helps with circulation, which in turn helps with cell turnover and improved skin health. Massage will do this also to a lesser extent. (JMHO)

Cheers, h.

StrawberryHippyGreens

@middlehaitch Thanks. I've never paid attention to my micros, but I suppose it's time to start. As for exercise, I get plenty of it working as a house cleaner four days a week. Usually the average day is about 6 hours and I'm dripping sweat lol, so I do get a decent amount of cardio I think. I lose about 1 pound a week when sticking to my weekly calorie limit.

sgtx81

put the money together for the skin removal surgery. if you don't need it you have enough to really reward yourself for achieving your goal.

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callsitlikeiseeit

genetics is really the determining factor, but the fact you are young will also help.

ive lost 103 pounds as of today. the majority of it from, 2014-2016. 2017 to now about 13 pounds. slow weight loss, exercise, all that good stuff helps.

i dont have any loose skin, and the only place that seems like it might when im done (i have about 50 to go) is my stomach. not much i can do about it. a place of loose skin is better than being fat.

LivingtheLeanDream

You're young so it should bounce back mostly. It takes time but if you are doing some resistance training that will really help.

StrawberryHippyGreens

@RunRutheeRun Yay! Glad to hear someone say that it's not totally unrealistic to expect it to "bounce back"!