Lost a lot of weight? Excess skin?

Hodar

I'm just starting this trip - down 13 lbs so far.

But, here's the question for those who have lost a substancial amount of weight. Did you wind up with a bunch of excess skin around your stomach?

I've been told that if I lose the weight in the 1-1.5 lb/week rate; that my tummy will shrink and I won't be wearing an empty inner-tube around my mid-section (where I carry my weight). Is this accurate? I know that on "Biggest Loser", the folks lose a tremendous amount of weight in a short time, then have plastic surgery to remove the excess skin. I'd just as soon lose the weight over time, and bypass the plastic surgery.

But, I might splurge and get some liposuction to get those fat cells out of my body for good. I'm under the belief that fat cells are forever (that's why we gain the weight so quickly, if we cease the diet).

Any pointers

Ahzuri

Dunno about the excess skin but even if you get lipo the remaining fat cells can grow bigger and take up the room of where the missing fat cells were if you just let yourself go once reaching goal weight so even though those are gone lipo won't keep you from gaining the weight back at all.

Jennloella

Lipo is great, I had it on my saddle bags 7 years ago, that is where I used to carry extra weight, since I had it done, even though my weight has fluctuated and I had another baby, my thighs remain slim. go figure. I think losing the weight quickly or slowly is not as important to the stretched out skin as how quickly the weight was gained. gaining too fast (as in pregnancy) causes it to tear and never regain shape, genetics, age all play a role in whether it will snap back too.....

melizerd

I've lost slowly (averaging about 1.6lbs a week) and still have some loose skin. I'll save for a tummy tuck (Need to maintain my goal weight for 5 years before I do that though!)

I think that there's less loose skin than if I had dropped weight SUPER fast (been losing since August). But in some ways there's no way around it

stanvoodoo

Tummy is last to go, yes it sucks big time. It depends on your age and weight but unless you are very young you may have the Tummy Sag. Only way to fix is Tummy Tuck, some Insurance plans pay or help pay if its medically needed.

If that's possible you need to start telling your Dr asap about things like rashes.......that would indicate a need for the surgery.

Best of Luck and Heres hoping surgery isn't needed!

nudqt

Unfortunately, I think at 50 years old you may have excess skin. Depending on how much weight you lose. It is a rule of nature and gravity, in my opinion. The old weight watcher rule was make sure you drink some milk (lowfat of course) because it makes the skin more elastic...

I am 60, and my skin is pretty good for my age...but I have lost a little over 40 pounds and it is taking its toll on my tummy area...the tire is deflating....and also in my neck...looking drapy....so cereal with milk is my new best friend instead of eggs for breakfast...time will tell.

nhgirl30

I lost 132 pounds in my late twenties and I have extra skin on my thighs, stomach, and arms. I wish i had the money to get plastic surgery to remove the skin, I would be a whole more confident. This is the only down side to extreme weight loss.

Larius

This article looks well written: http://www.bodyfatguide.com/LooseSkin.htm

Hodar

This article looks well written: http://www.bodyfatguide.com/LooseSkin.htm

Thanks ... this makes a lot of sense; and explains quite a bit. I wouldn't have found this without you - thanks a ton
(and by ton, I mean approximately 125 lbs). :laugh: