Need Help with Loose Skin!

KCharron20

I have never posted on MFP before but have enjoyed the stories and have gotten a lot of inspiration from the posts on this site. I try to log all my calories and exercise onto it.

I have one issue I'd really like to get some help with:

I have lost 80 pounds since December and have about 100 left to go. I have a lot of loose skin on my arms, belly and legs. How do you deal with it? I am really worried about what I'm going to look like when I'm done. Any input you could give me would be great!

LeonaB17

Not much you can do other than some toning exercises which help some. Other than that I say let it hang, or invest in some compression garments if it bothers you badly enough.

kelsbeckins

I found this website. I haven't tried any of the exercises, but hope it helps! http://www.livestrong.com/article/426580-exercises-to-tighten-your-body-after-weight-loss/

KATIEHUGGIES

BUMP

lumilowlander

The only thing I can say is that you lost the weight too quickly. [Not that that's a bad thing] If you give it time some of it will shrink, but you may have to resort to skin removal surgery for what doesn't.

I will also say that I think massage helps a little.

MomtoMany7

Hi

Have you seen this article?
http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/diane-carbonell/truth-about-excess-skin

I'll bet you are looking amazing!

Hold your head high.

Alderaic

I know it is far for now, but as you lose the layers of fat, the skin adheres to the muscles and slowly stops hanging, it takes a while, but if you keep pushing, that's one of the final rewards.

If you only follow a diet, I would advise to add some workouts 3/4 times a week to help with that

theaquallama

Water! Drink plenty of water and it'll help improve the elasticity in your skin. Also I suppose a firming cream can't hurt. I haven't tried any but I hear that pretty much no matter what kind you get, as long as you massage the area very well you'll get some kind of improvement. It just takes a while. Good luck!

redefiningmyself

Years ago I went to Weight Watchers and my leader had lost well over 100 pounds and kept it off. She told us to use moisturizer everyday - everywhere. And after a shower to gently pat dry and not to rub. She said over time her skin tightened up on its own. But it took about double the time as it took to lose the weight. She didn't end up needing surgery, and she looked fabulous when I met her. I'm hoping she was right and it will tighten on its own.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

redefiningmyself

Years ago I went to Weight Watchers and my leader had lost well over 100 pounds and kept it off. She told us to use moisturizer everyday - everywhere. And after a shower to gently pat dry and not to rub. She said over time her skin tightened up on its own. But it took about double the time as it took to lose the weight. She didn't end up needing surgery, and she looked fabulous when I met her. I'm hoping she was right and it will tighten on its own.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

redefiningmyself

Years ago I went to Weight Watchers and my leader had lost well over 100 pounds and kept it off. She told us to use moisturizer everyday - everywhere. And after a shower to gently pat dry and not to rub. She said over time her skin tightened up on its own. But it took about double the time as it took to lose the weight. She didn't end up needing surgery, and she looked fabulous when I met her. I'm hoping she was right and it will tighten on its own.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

redefiningmyself

Years ago I went to Weight Watchers and my leader had lost well over 100 pounds and kept it off. She told us to use moisturizer everyday - everywhere. And after a shower to gently pat dry and not to rub. She said over time her skin tightened up on its own. But it took about double the time as it took to lose the weight. She didn't end up needing surgery, and she looked fabulous when I met her. I'm hoping she was right and it will tighten on its own.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

SonicaBE

HI- in the same boat. Have lost 125 lbs...and then gained 80 with first preg and lost, and then gained 50 with second-- trying to lose now. I have some key advice i wish someone had told me.

1. Dry Skin Brushing....google it and do it!!
2. MOISTURIZE like crazy. I used gold bond intense healing with vitamins...it helps.
3. WEIGHT TRAIN--HEAVY WEIGHTS.
4. DRINK A GALLON OF WATER A DAY...water really really helps.
5. Dont take hot hot showers..and dont shower for tooo long.

this will help...tons.

ssieben

Congratulations on your weight loss! I personally know exactly what you are going through... I lost 150 pounds and the loose skin was terrifying. I excercised like a mad woman throughout my weight loss to avoid the loose skin, but unfortunately excercise only does so much toning. I have noticed a hugeeee difference as time goes on, I used to not ever ever EVER bare my arms because of the loose skin. Now its hardly noticeable. So i recommend time and toning for much of it. My tummy on the overhand is still a ghastly sight and Im learning to just accept it. I did go in for a consultation for a tummy tuck just for information and peace of mind. The cost I was quoted was $9500.00 plus tax (I live in Alberta, Canada) and down time after procedure is minimum 6 weeks before returning to my desk job. Stretch marks (if you have any, i know i do!) will still be visible. Scarring would be a line from hip bone to hip bone. I chose to not have the procedure and Im learning to love my body, loose skin and all... But I am still hoping after a couple more years, perhaps it will tighten up a little more. Hope I was able to help you out a tad, and again love your body and congratulations on your weight loss!

lorihalsted

Unfortunately with our age (I'm almost 41) some of it is here to stay. I have been overweight my whole adult life. At my heaviest I was 335 lbs. I lost about 80 lbs in about 6 months after lapband surgery. I plateaued for 4 years and have now decided to get the rest off. During that time I walked (overall toning) , did crunches on an exercise ball (tummy & legs), and light free weights (arms). I started out with a 2 lb (gradually went up to 10) weight in my hand, raised it over my head and back down behind my head. This helped me tone the backs of my arms.

It's different for everyone. You are doing great!!! These exercises might not work for you but they have helped me. My body isn't anywhere close to "perfect" and I completely understand your issue. Good luck!

ElPumaMex

I am no expert in the subject of loose skin, but here is an interesting article I've found that may help you:
http://www.bodyfatguide.com/LooseSkin.htm

Some excerpts from it:

"In my opinion, the droopy appearance of folds of skin is most probably caused by crash diets that sacrifice large amounts of supporting muscle, or lean body mass."

"To eliminate and prevent the droopy appearance of the remnants of excess body fat during and following weight loss, without resorting to surgical procedures, you must change your body composition, not just lose bodyweight. That means paying particular attention to the ratio of your body fat to muscle, or lean body mass. Preventing loss of lean body mass while dieting to lose body fat will dramatically improve your appearance."

"In my opinion, the best approach to avoid muscle loss while dieting is to supply a daily calorie intake equal to no less than your resting metabolic rate, the calories burned by your muscle mass at rest, which is about 1,200 to 1,800 calories for most people. See The Body Fat Guide to calculate your exact resting metabolic rate. This calorie intake will maintain and replenish your muscle as body fat is burned off through physical activity, much as an athlete burns off body fat in training. You never see serious athletes training while eating only 400-800 calories! Athletes get lean by relying on exercise to burn fat while eating enough to maintain muscle. Don't expect optimal results from sitting around and "starving" yourself. Dietitians suggest people increase their activity by 500 calories a day and cut their normal calorie intake by 500 calories. Stated more precisely, burn off body fat by eliminating only the portion of your diet that would otherwise fuel your usual daily activity (assuming it equals 500 calories), and burn off an additional 500 calories of body fat with additional activity, leaving you enough food to maintain muscle (your resting metabolic rate) resulting in two pounds of body fat loss a week. "

Saffyra

My mother in law lost 150lbs after having gastric bypass surgery. She hated her loose skin and after two years (to prove she was at a stable weight) she ended up having most of the excess skin removed. It's been 7 years now and she's happy she did it. You can barely see the scars. The only one still visible at all is the one on her stomach and she just wears a one piece bathing suit. You would never know.

But I have to also say that she did NO exercise AT ALL. Not one stitch. She didn't lift any weights, she didnt do any cardio. This might have contributed to the amount of extra skin she had.

CoryIda

I have some loose skin as well, although most of mine is not visible (it's on my lower tummy and inner thighs, which no one really sees except my hubby). I hope that it will improve over time, although I would still much rather have droopy skin and be healthy than have firm skin and be obese again.

Drinking lots of water, moisturizing, and exercising are the best ways to fight loose skin, but you really can't prevent it entirely.