Does skin ever 'tighten'?? Please help!

maybyn

Wow, you really are hostile, aren't you? Like I previously stated, I didn't take 'before' pics. It was 10 years ago. All of this I have been very up front about. I have had a baby, and those are my belly pics (my results). What is it exactly you are trying to call into question? Because I can play this game all day. :bigsmile:

Nah, let's not. I haven't got all day and I shouldn't be on the forum now, whoops! (And isn't it evening or night at your end?)

We are both probably in agreement anyway but simply trying to prove a particular point that represents only a part of the whole puzzle!

OP, good luck to you with your journey

MadameLAL

A stomach that has carried children and looks like it is NOT GROSS!

OK, now that I got that out of my system - yes, depending on your age and genetics, your skin will tighten to some extent. Anecdotal evidence is that a high protein diet will help as well. High protein being 1.1 to 1.4g/lean body mass (the latest recommendation on protein requirements during calorie restriction).

Best of luck! :drinker:

ETA: I have had only 1 baby, but it was when I was 40, so I had that against me. Feel free to creep the photos in my profile to see what it looks like now. There is loose skin, but it is only noticeable when I do pushups (for instance) and happen to glance down. Then I just remind myself of what my body produced, and I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

I have yet to see loose skin improving after weight lifting. Please show me some pictures.

Sorry, I know I'm being a debbie downer but I've got the same problem as the OP and even though I'm slim and have lifted for sometime now, the loose skin from pregnancy is still there and it IS unsightly. I can't wear bikinis because of that.

You're not being a 'debbie downer', you are speaking the hard honest truth!!!!!!
I've had one child and had hundreds of stretch marks and have loose skin. The fatter I am, the tighter the skin on my belly. The more weight I lose, the flappier my stomach gets.
Lifting weights, eating right and drinking lots of water is not going to change my skin in any way shape or form - and I've lifted for over 12 years, stomach has been around for coming up 16.
I've had personal trainers and doctors tell me that the only way to get rid of my skin will be to cut it off. I'm under no illusion that the more sit ups I do will help rid me of the belly.

So true. Unfortunate, but true.

CrusaderSam

Baby belly is really gross, but I'm sure it can be eliminated. You are still young, so that's on your side.

Firming lotion and crunches will probably be your best bet. Lots of crunches! And I don't mean Captain Crunches lol.

See this is the problem right here. People trying to be helpful when in fact they don't know what they are talking about. You can get to single digit % body fat and have a full on deep cut 6 pack and the lose skin wont go away. The whole wait x amount of time doctors tell you is just so you can see the real truth, the lose skin doesn't matter.

This is my pic

remaho80

I'm going to go with NO on this one. I'm in the same boat.

MadameLAL

This has been my experience too. But, I just want to comment on how great you look--very nice muscle definition.

ETA: To CrusaderSam

3laine75

Amazing job!

OMG you have the belly of a 19 yr old. Amazing work!

louisemallas

Baby belly is really gross, but I'm sure it can be eliminated. You are still young, so that's on your side.

Firming lotion and crunches will probably be your best bet. Lots of crunches! And I don't mean Captain Crunches lol.

See this is the problem right here. People trying to be helpful when in fact they don't know what they are talking about. You can get to single digit % body fat and have a full on deep cut 6 pack and the lose skin wont go away. The whole wait x amount of time doctors tell you is just so you can see the real truth, the lose skin doesn't matter.

This is my pic

Well done on your weight loss - Fantastic! ..........and you've eloquently illustrated the point you were making.

QuietBloom

Baby belly is really gross, but I'm sure it can be eliminated. You are still young, so that's on your side.

Firming lotion and crunches will probably be your best bet. Lots of crunches! And I don't mean Captain Crunches lol.

See this is the problem right here. People trying to be helpful when in fact they don't know what they are talking about. You can get to single digit % body fat and have a full on deep cut 6 pack and the lose skin wont go away. The whole wait x amount of time doctors tell you is just so you can see the real truth, the lose skin doesn't matter.

This is my pic

To be fair, in other threads it has been pointed out to you that others have found that loose skin improves upon doing a few cut and bulk cycles. So I'm not ready to say that you are doomed to carry that much loose skin forever.

QuietBloom

Amazing job!

OMG you have the belly of a 19 yr old. Amazing work!

Thank you very much! :flowerforyou:

toutmonpossible

A stomach that has carried children and looks like it is NOT GROSS!

OK, now that I got that out of my system - yes, depending on your age and genetics, your skin will tighten to some extent. Anecdotal evidence is that a high protein diet will help as well. High protein being 1.1 to 1.4g/lean body mass (the latest recommendation on protein requirements during calorie restriction).

Best of luck! :drinker:

ETA: I have had only 1 baby, but it was when I was 40, so I had that against me. Feel free to creep the photos in my profile to see what it looks like now. There is loose skin, but it is only noticeable when I do pushups (for instance) and happen to glance down. Then I just remind myself of what my body produced, and I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

I have yet to see loose skin improving after weight lifting. Please show me some pictures.

Sorry, I know I'm being a debbie downer but I've got the same problem as the OP and even though I'm slim and have lifted for sometime now, the loose skin from pregnancy is still there and it IS unsightly. I can't wear bikinis because of that.

Speaking truthfully about your experience doesn't make you a "debbie downer." From what I've seen, your experience is not uncommon. I have different issues: I'm very pear-shaped, though not overweight. It's extremely irritating to read people go on and on about how exercise and diet will change one's body shape when that is simply not the case.

If the OP is bothered by the skin, she should follow the advice of the mfp member who suggested she wait until she's maintained her weight loss for two years, at which point she should consult a plastic surgeon.

wifeymou1112

Thanks to everyone for their input. :-D The people who posted pictures, you look great :-) well done! :-)

I had the c-section 10 years ago so kind of knew it would stay the same when I posted but was hoping I may be wrong. I had never tried in those ten years to improve it, so was just wondering if it was possible now I'm willing to give it a go. (Actually, I did try crunches years ago but they didn't work!)

I have nothing holding me back from doing weights except for my own God-damned laziness. All the equipment is here in my house. I was thinking of incorporating weights with Insanity and seeing how that goes. (My God! Insanity scares me!)

As I said about the surgery, that is a big no. Even if I did get to a weight that was good and maintained for a couple of years... having my tummy tucked would make my boobs look even more out of place! :-o I'd have to get the boobs done as well! And while we're at it get my nose tweaked I've never really liked it... Ooh and while we're at it, what else can I change... NO! I don't want to end up down that road! >.<

So I will just have to deal with my wrinkly ol' kangaroo pouch and hopefully put it to more good use )

I know at a good weight it will look fine under clothes, it just annoys me when I see other people who have had babies wearing low cut jeans with no wrinkly flappiness hanging over! But like they say... Everyone is unique and everyone is different. -.- Some people are just luckier in the genetic department (B@STARDS!) :-):-):-):-):-):-)

Thanks again and good luck everyone 8-)

ashleymarie9807

I had two babies one c-section and though its taking some time the skin is getting tighter. I need to start weight training Iv been working out stricktly from home when the kids go to bed.

_Zardoz_

My Doctor told me it can take 2 years or more for your skin to retract the total amount it will