I'm afraid of having loose skin? Suggestions please?

betsser
betsser Posts: 6 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone! I am betsser. I am 261 lbs and I am 22 years old. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions towards dealing with loose skin once the weight is lost. I am aiming for a weight of 120 - 130 lbs in about a year or a little bit over. Thank you in advance!

Replies

  • zodan1976
    zodan1976 Posts: 30 Member
    I am curious to hear what anyone has to say about this as well???
  • SJackson50
    SJackson50 Posts: 282 Member
    You are young and your skin has a lot of elasticity. Usually, with a slower, more gradual weight loss, it's easier for your skin elasticity to sort of snap back into place, shrinking back down as the fat is lost. But when too much is lost too fast, the skin’s elasticity doesn’t have time to catch up. Make sure you keep your skin well moisturized and stay hydrated.

    That being said, don't be "afraid" of having loose skin once you get to a healthier weight...be afraid of all of the weight-related health issues you could face with the extra weight on your body; be afraid of how unhappy you will be a year from now (or 10 years from now!) if you do not stay on the road to getting healthier.

    I waited 25 years to lose weight...went from a 24 to a current 6/8...I was never really unhappy, until now...when I realized how much time I wasted being unhealthy. I have some sagging skin--but I'm 50 :-) And I know it is my fault for waiting so long to address my health.

    Don't be afraid of anything--except all of that extra attention you are getting when you are sitting on the beach in that bikini :-)Good luck to you on your journey...I wish you much success.
  • trishtrish1
    trishtrish1 Posts: 71 Member
    sjackson - Thank you!

    I am 44 - and you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!! I am at the beginning of my journey - keep stalling myself out - and now I am looking health problems (teetering on the brink) right in the face. so - you are right - sagging skin? Or a heart attack. :) Thanks!
  • thatredheadedBAMF
    thatredheadedBAMF Posts: 25 Member
    I lost almost 100 pounds in my late 20s over a number of years and have some loose skin and other droopy issues, but it isn't terrible. I'd rather have this problem than still be morbidly obese. There's nothing you can do to prevent it, you just learn to cope with it. Doing strength training, which you need to be doing anyway, will help make you appear tighter, but it won't solve the problem.

    If you have $70K laying around, you can always opt to have a tummy tuck and full body lift if it turns into that big of an issue for you.

    As others said, I'd be much more concerned about a low quality of life and eventual weight related health issues than an aesthetic issue. You will still have areas that aren't "perfect." You will not be smooth and tight naked without extensive plastic surgery. But it's still SO SO SO worth it. Good luck!
  • snowmaniac
    snowmaniac Posts: 600 Member
    Set a realistic and healthy pace for weight loss. 1-2 pounds per week is a good goal and good pace usually. You may get bigger numbers at first while you have a lot to lose, but if you set a realistic caloric intake now you will take the weight off for the long term. Start a progressive weightlifting program like Stronglifts 5x5 or Simple Strength if you can get access to a good gym with free weights. Lifting progressively heavier weights will not only be beneficial to your overall health and fitness, it will also minimize your lean body mass loss while you eat at a moderate deficit. You want to lose body fat, not muscle, so lift weights to keep the ratio of fat lost to lean body mass lost as much in your favor as possible.

Categories