I have 40kgs to lose but am scared of the excess skin

lizstyles2013

I have 40+ kgs to lose and am freaking out about losing it in case I end up with that excess loose skin. As it is I have a droopy belly that I am ashamed of. Am I being silly in thinking this way? What can I do to stop this from happening. I am 35 years old so wondering if my age is gonna go against me. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

neanderthin

Genetics plays a big part in it.......it's possible you may not be happy with loose skin, if that happens, but losing 40kgs should be motivation enough to make that a low priority. Maintaining LBM, doing resistance training, keeping your calorie restriction minimal as opposed to a deep on will help. Good luck and I'm sure your husband will be pleased either way.

SharonNehring

Do not let your worries about skin stop you from getting healthy. The slower you lose, the less you'll notice the loose skin. If you lose quickly, it can take a few months for your skin to tighten up.

I've heard really paying attention to moisturizing can help. Myself, I've already given consideration to having surgery if I get to my goal weight and am unhappy with the skin results.

wilsoje74

I would think that would be the least of your worries but if you are that worried, then just stay overweight.

Yanicka1

Lose skin is a lot easier to hide then fat. You can't be sure if it will be a problem or not.....and even if it is, you will be healthy.

WBB55

I think you are being a little silly, if that's truly what's keeping you from losing weight. If you are 88 lbs overweight, you are likely to start getting a range of nasty, awful diseases. Like diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and all of the other things that MIGHT KILL you, or at least make your life a lot more complex.

And yet you're worried about skin?

Try to focus on all the good that losing weight will do you. If you end up with excess skin, take all the money you'll be saving in future health care, and get a tummy tuck.

anaisbutterfly7

I have done a lot of research on this issue. Most articles say the same things: Lose weight slowly, take care of your skin (lotions, exfoliate, etc), exercise, etc.

I am worried about this myself. I already have tons of excess skin, and I do plan on getting the surgery, but I am not going to get to my goal weight and then get the surgery the next day. I told myself I must be at maintenance for 6 months before surgery, so I was thinking about compression sleeves/clothing to wear.

But, I still have a long way to go to get to my goal weight, and I really have no idea what will happen between now and then. As mush as I do think about the future and my excess skin, I know that the main focus right now is just to get the weight off and work on healing the eating disorder.

hmaddpear

Genetics play a huge part. But also how you lose the weight. Lose slowly to give your skin time to adapt to the smaller you, add exercise to tone and mosturise.

Even if you end up with some loose skin, don't think about surgery until you've maintained for at least a year - it may just catch up with your weightloss.

Don't let the possibility of loose skin stop you from losing the weight - a healthy you is much more important.

Obnoxa

I worry about this too. But I'm pushing the fear to the back of my mind for the sake of my health.
From what I can ascertain, losing weight really fast/not enough exercise seems to be the biggest factors; I try to keep that in mind when I start to get a little over-zealous about how many calories I eat each day. For now I need to worry more about immediate/impending health problems from being obese and if excess skin is a problem, I'll start looking into solutions once I'm at goal.

rockmama72

I'm a little worried about it too--I had a late-30's pregnancy and I never bounced back.

I just googled "how to improve skin elasticity" and there are lots of tips out there! Of course the Internet is full of bunk, but there are some common themes--vegetables, beans, nuts, fatty fish, lots of water to nourish from the inside, and then keep it moisturized.

If doing your own research, beware of supplement pushers! I saw a lot.

thevoice1973

If you maintain a healthy and moderate weight loss goal (1 to 1.5 lbs of fat a week) and maintain a healthy diet with a good balance of macros, your excess skin will also reduce. It's exaggeration that leads to problems (it's the basis of most of the problems we face here!)

TallGlassOfQuirky

It's a valid concern, and as someone who went from the picture on the left to the picture on the right (actually, at one point, another 20-ish pounds smaller than that), I have to tell you that you're likely to have a bit of loose skin.

But here's the thing - it's better to have some excess skin and a bit of droopy boob than to have that skin filled up with fat. Not for your appearance's sake, but because being significantly overweight can lead to so many health problems.

As for reducing your chances (or minimizing the impact), here are some things you can do: eat well (proper nutrition, healthy deficit so you don't lose too quickly and both lose muscle mass AND not give your skin a chance to keep up with the rest of you), drink plenty of water (you know those people with flawless looking skin? They stay hydrated - it's good for your body and your skin, too), exercise (not just running or intense cardio, either, do strength training/weight lifting to help maintain muscle mass and to fill up some of that skin with lovely muscle - don't worry, you aren't going to get bulky), and BE PATIENT (even if you do end up with some excess skin, it may continue to tighten up for a year or two after the weight loss).

Things you can't control, unfortunately, are genetics and your age. Younger people tend to have more skin elasticity, and as for genetics, well, some people are lucky and were born with skin that doesn't even have a stretch mark to show for carrying four babies, one after another, full term in five years. Others are like me, and when we deflate, we not only look like Freddy Kruger attacked us, we also look like a balloon that was inflated for too long and dried out and then the deflated balloon is left larger than it was before it was blown up and is all floppy and droopy.

You know what? I wouldn't swap that deflated balloon look for filled out fat if you paid me a million dollars.

Mr_Knight

I have 40+ kgs to lose and am freaking out about losing it in case I end up with that excess loose skin.

You most likely won't.

Even if you did, would you rather have loose skiin or 40kg of extra jello? Unless you'd rather keep the jello, there's no point in worrying about it - lose the weight - que sera, sera.

SisterhoodoftheShrinkingPants

I COMPLETELY understand. I was afraid I would look old in the face. (I dont, people tell me I look YOUNGER). Im your age and let me tell you I feel so much better since losing 87 lbs. I feel SEXY, Confident, NORMAL. I shop anywhere I want to, Men and Women try to date me (LOL) and I wouldnt go back to obesity if you offered me a Million dollars. Do I have loose skin? YES. But here are some things Im doing and for you to keep in mind. 1. Lose the weight slowly 2. Lift weights so that you tone and strengthen at the same time you lose 3. Massage and moisturize 4. Your body needs to be at GOAL weight for TWO YEARS before all thats going to shrink back will. So Patience is the KEY.

Whatever doesnt shrink back, you can "tuck" or you can embrace. You will look 1000% better in clothes and with the proper care naked as well. I still have 20-40 lbs to lose and then Im giving my skin 2 years to tighten up. IF I really cant deal with a tummy flap there's always surgery. But Ive had two kids and Ive seen that skin tighten up on its own before so im crossing my fingers. Good luck and Get to work losing that weight girl! There's a whole new you waiting to shine through!

SisterhoodoftheShrinkingPants

It's a valid concern, and as someone who went from the picture on the left to the picture on the right (actually, at one point, another 20-ish pounds smaller than that), I have to tell you that you're likely to have a bit of loose skin.

But here's the thing - it's better to have some excess skin and a bit of droopy boob than to have that skin filled up with fat. Not for your appearance's sake, but because being significantly overweight can lead to so many health problems.

As for reducing your chances (or minimizing the impact), here are some things you can do: eat well (proper nutrition, healthy deficit so you don't lose too quickly and both lose muscle mass AND not give your skin a chance to keep up with the rest of you), drink plenty of water (you know those people with flawless looking skin? They stay hydrated - it's good for your body and your skin, too), exercise (not just running or intense cardio, either, do strength training/weight lifting to help maintain muscle mass and to fill up some of that skin with lovely muscle - don't worry, you aren't going to get bulky), and BE PATIENT (even if you do end up with some excess skin, it may continue to tighten up for a year or two after the weight loss).

Things you can't control, unfortunately, are genetics and your age. Younger people tend to have more skin elasticity, and as for genetics, well, some people are lucky and were born with skin that doesn't even have a stretch mark to show for carrying four babies, one after another, full term in five years. Others are like me, and when we deflate, we not only look like Freddy Kruger attacked us, we also look like a balloon that was inflated for too long and dried out and then the deflated balloon is left larger than it was before it was blown up and is all floppy and droopy.

You know what? I wouldn't swap that deflated balloon look for filled out fat if you paid me a million dollars.

Haha we said the same thing, but I think you said it better

Francl27

I look 100x better with my loose skin than with an extra 75 lbs.

TeriaShae

I've lost some weight and yes, I do have some excess skin, but it looks 100000000x better than the extra weight.
Promise! You won't regret it!

lizstyles2013

I now realise that it does seem very stupid and I have decided that I will soldier on and just slowly try to lose the weight and deal with the skin issue later down the track. Although I am very lucky as to not have any major illnesses I am heading down that track and to be honest don't really wanna go there. Thankyou to everyone who has helped me see sense in this I really appreciate it.

Jennilyn79

It's an understandable concern, although I notice when people are very obese to begin with >400 pounds that it seems to be more of an issue, especially when they have gastric bypass. That's because they lose the weight so fast. If you're working our, eating healthy, and lifting weights.......I don't think the loose skin will be as bad as you're thinking it will. We've all see 600 pound people lose weight and the extra skin it produces. I definitely think lifting more and heavy weights will help a lot, along with all of the great advice the above posters have said.

Unknown

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JilloftheDead

I've lost nearly 50 lbs/22.5 kg recently and 80 lb/36 kg total. I do have excess skin and I'm not fond of it, but I definitely prefer to have loose skin and less fat than both!

This is from October 188 lbs/85 kg


And currently (showing excess skin)

starrylioness

Honestly, some excess skin is still better than being unhealthy and overweight.

Eleonora91

It all depends. Some people do have excess skin, some not. My best friend lost 30 kgs and doesn't have it, you might find your body is not very toned, but you can fix it with constant exercise. Anyway, unless it's something very visible (that might still be fixed with surgery I guess?) a bit of loose skin or stretch marks won't be bad! Especially if you do strenght exercises that keep your muscles toned underneath. It will be less noticeable. I'm sure you won't be regretting losing weight in the end

marianne_s

As for reducing your chances (or minimizing the impact), here are some things you can do:

eat well (proper nutrition, healthy deficit so you don't lose too quickly and both lose muscle mass AND not give your skin a chance to keep up with the rest of you)

drink plenty of water (you know those people with flawless looking skin? They stay hydrated - it's good for your body and your skin, too)

exercise (not just running or intense cardio, either, do strength training/weight lifting to help maintain muscle mass and to fill up some of that skin with lovely muscle - don't worry, you aren't going to get bulky)

BE PATIENT (even if you do end up with some excess skin, it may continue to tighten up for a year or two after the weight loss).

THIS.......

JesterMFP

You know what? It's not stupid. It's good to be aware of the issue and not shocked if/when if does happen. There's a good chance you will get some, and it's good to realise that losing the weight won't necessarily give you your personal idea of perfection, whatever that is. Please don't let it freak you out though, or stop you from wanting to lose the weight.

I lost abut 42kg in my early 30s, and I have some loose skin. The worst is on my lower abdomen. It's not pretty, but it's not horrendous either. It's not visible in clothes, or even just in underwear. I absolutely 100% would not swap it for the excess fat. I am very happy with how I look in clothes, and without clothes, I have a fair bit of muscle definition. I look fine. Yes, there are stretch marks and loose skin and scars and lumps and bumps, but there are on most bodies that have been overweight and/or been pregnant and/or are over 30.

It's not necessarily going to happen to you. Genetics plays a large part, as does age. You won't have the elasticity of a 20 year old, but you should be better off than a 40 or 50 year old.

And... there is compromise. If I was 10 lbs heavier, I would still be a healthy weight, but I would have very little noticeable loose skin. So, that's always an option. If you get to a healthy weight and start seeing a little bit of looseness, and you don't want any more, then stop.

OhCora

I now realise that it does seem very stupid and I have decided that I will soldier on and just slowly try to lose the weight and deal with the skin issue later down the track. Although I am very lucky as to not have any major illnesses I am heading down that track and to be honest don't really wanna go there. Thankyou to everyone who has helped me see sense in this I really appreciate it.

I don't think it is stupid. It is something a lot of us think about. And we doubt ourselves...before you lose the weight, you really don't know how fantastic you will feel when it is gone. The health benefits and the awesome way you feel will completely over shadow any of those feelings once you are there. speaking from experience here. I lost 82 pounds, (and gained back 30 dammit!) had some loose skin, but mostly my tummy. loose skin is easier to hide than a spare tire, lol, Try not to worry about it. the difference in your whole life will be so rewarding.

Francl27

I've lost nearly 50 lbs/22.5 kg recently and 80 lb/36 kg total. I do have excess skin and I'm not fond of it, but I definitely prefer to have loose skin and less fat than both!

This is from October 188 lbs/85 kg


And currently (showing excess skin)

Yep that's what my stomach looks like, although it's worse and I have two pockets above my belly button too.

The main thing is to adjust your expectations... I know I'll never be in a bikini... I won't have the look I've always wanted to have. But it's ok, because I'm much healthier and as I said... I look good in clothes!

QuilterInVA

I'm more afraid of heart attacks, diabetes, stroke and other complications than loose skin. Get your priorities in order!

Supertact

I'm more afraid of heart attacks, diabetes, stroke and other complications than loose skin. Get your priorities in order!

This.

Healthy and loose skin or unhealthy and fat, easy choice.