Question for those who've lost a lot....

chiliflea

Hi there... I'm just starting my weight loss journey and was wondering...

To those who've lost a lot of weight - have you had problems with excess skin? I'm so worried that my skin will be really saggy when I've lost weight... It's one of the reasons I think I've put it off for so long...

Anyone?

xx

VeganJamiOnAMission

Well, I have not lost a lot yet...but I plan on it. I think the key is losing it slowly so that your skin has time to tighten. The excess skin problems mainly happen to people who undergo gastric bypass surgery or go on The Biggest Loser and lose weight very quickly. It also helps to exercise so you can tone up and take your vitamins to keep your skin healthy. Also, you are still young so don't let the worry keep you from your goal. The older you get the more your skin loses its elasticity.

crystaltrejo

I have lost 70 pounds so far and I do not have any hanging skin, lets hope that continues.

chiliflea

thanks guys! it's one of those nightmare situations! My mind is more at rest now!
x

amoffatt

I have always learned that loosing weight too fast usually can cause a persons skin to sag. I would think a lot of toning with cardio to try and limit or stop sagging. I have some issues on the lower parto of my tummy, but that was after kids, and I am told sit ups to work the lower ab area.

karen4777

Yes, after I lost 110# I had to have a tummy tuck and breast reduction and lift.

karen4777

I lost the weight over a 1 year period. After being obese the skin does not tighten back up unfortunately.

joemo82

When I lost 7 stone I did have exess skin, a lot of that was down to losing it so quickly, buggar all exercise and barely any water.... which helps the elasticity in your skin, slowly does it and you will be fine thats why this time I want to tone and lose x

amehrkens

I lost 114lbs ove the course of 3 years and I have extra skin everywhere! I worked out and watched what I ate to lose the weight...so the right way and I have tons of extra skin! I would love to have a tummy tuck someday!

sparklesammy

yeah, losing so much weight leaves its mark....but it looks soooo much better than being very obese....its definately not a reason to not lose weight! it might be an excuse, but not a reason!

Melaniemj

i lost 5 stone in 9 mths and have issues with excess skin and i was using the wii

Melaniemj

I agree with sparklesammy even with the excess skin much better without the excess weight - one more stone to go but proving very difficult to move

LuckyLeprechaun

it's different for everyone, but the longer you stay overweight the harder it is for your skin to snap back. So GET to it! :flowerforyou: :bigsmile:

Hydrate well!!! It does help, as does bio-oil on any stretch marks (I know I have plenty)

ShrinkinMel

I haven't lost a lot(mean more than 40) but I am doing skin brushing(exfoliates with a natural bristle brush, Google if you wonder) and my skin under my arms feels tighter than it was already. It was a bit loose from expanding during my pregnancy with my now 7 year old with water retention due to hypertension. I don't know what it was but so far they feel tighter it could be the brushing which hasn't been regular yet or the toning I get with 30 Day Shred. I can feel the muscles under the layers of fat too so its probably more that. I have friends online that have noticed a big difference with skin brushing too.

catcrazy

I think a lot has to do with your skin type. I had a friend who gained 6 stone in pregnancy and not a single stretch mark. Also the younger you are the more your skin is likely to recover. Lose it slowly, keep well moisturised from the inside (water) and the outside and tone up as you lose.

Even if you do end up with excess skin your health will benefit from losing the weight and there is always surgery. I'd rather have to tuck my skin in to my trousers than have my top hanging out hiding my whole body! Fingers crossed it doesnt come to that but i'll deal with it if I have to

ashandbensmom

I lost 100 lbs in 15 months. And yes I have sagging skin, but only in my lower abdomen. Although before I was obese I was pregnant with twins, so I think my body was just in too much shock to recover. lol I will say though, that in clothing you can not tell.

sixpackgoal

I lost 90 pounds very slow over three years through better nutrition lifestyle and walk/jog/run.
Just added strength training to tone five weeks ago.
First pic at age 34. Second pic yesterday at age 40.
I got a long way to reach my goal of a six pack but maybe another year of hard work.

chiliflea

wow thank you all so much for replying! I'm just going to have to see how it goes I guess! And surgery will always be an option if it's really bad I would suppose...

Just keep on keeping on - and drinking water..

Will also have a look at the body brushing - thank you shinkinmel...

Like has been said - best to be healthy with excess skin than unhealthy and overweight!

Oh and sixpackgoal - way to go! You look amazing!

rmkorama

It seems like there's a lot of variation in people's experience, so probably the best thing you're going to have to do is go for it and see how things work for you. Also, you should check out these awesome before/after pictures from another MFPer.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/143278-need-motivation-right-about-now

chiliflea

It seems like there's a lot of variation in people's experience, so probably the best thing you're going to have to do is go for it and see how things work for you. Also, you should check out these awesome before/after pictures from another MFPer.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/143278-need-motivation-right-about-now

Wow! that's amazing! I can but dream of arms like that! Fingers crossed eh!

rileysowner

Compared to some the 67 pounds I have lost isn't that much, but no skin issues for me so far. (That was in a little over a year)

I think whoever said it is dependent on your skin type probably has it right. Losing gradually will help as well probably.

Just know that even if it is an issue for you. You will still look better, and more importantly feel better because you will not be carrying around that weight. Just to remind myself what it was like, I grab a 65 pound dumbell and carry it around (I used to just pick us my 5 year old by I have lost more weight than he weighs now) to realize that I am not carrying that around any longer, but I used to carry it every day.

ktblueyz

I would compare it to like when I was pregnant (3x) my belly grw huge, but then when the baby was out and I lost the weight my tummy will still never go back to the way it was before.

ashleyinthestars

I agree with those who say they'd rather have the loose skin than the alternative. I have some serious bat wings and some awesome (sarcasm) belly flaps, and my boobs are a sad sight without a bra. I do tons of cardio, core, and arm exercises, and I drink at least a half gallon of water a day (usually it's closer to a gallon). I haven't had kids yet so I'm not going to look into a tummy tuck until then...and maybe (just maybe!) by then I wont really need one? *crosses fingers*

wiseg2

I agree with those who say they'd rather have the loose skin than the alternative. I have some serious bat wings and some awesome (sarcasm) belly flaps, and my boobs are a sad sight without a bra. I do tons of cardio, core, and arm exercises, and I drink at least a half gallon of water a day (usually it's closer to a gallon). I haven't had kids yet so I'm not going to look into a tummy tuck until then...and maybe (just maybe!) by then I wont really need one? *crosses fingers*

I second this. The main places I'm noticing loose skin is my breasts, upper arms, and belly. There is some around my thighs but not as much as everywhere else. My husband isn't complaining and I love the way I feel now and how I look. Remember that we are our own toughest critic.

I should also mention that I've lost 88 pounds since 3/23/10 and I have 2 children under the age of three.I drink water all time and I'm hoping that my age combined with strength training will help my skin bounce back.

Either way I'll take skinny and healthy with some loose skin over being nearly 300 lbs, unhappy, and sick any day.

LD6686

I admit, I am worried about this too. I really don't want that horrid pouch of skin....thats almost worse than the fat filling it. Having to tuck the skin flaps into trousers etc *shudder*

Sadly, I am probably going ot end up with tons of excess skin, as I need to lose about 6 stone. I'm hoping I can then afford a tummy tuck. Really don't want that skin! I'd feel really embarrassed to let my fiancee see me naked if I had droopy skin everywhere Really scared now haha! Must be a way to lose that sort of weight and tone the skin at same time

Cworden

First things first....