Excess skin

txhunnygirl

I am down 47 pounds but if I didn't have this loose skin I think I would be down even more. I am so happy with my weight loss but so mortified with the excess skin. I am trying to use it as an incentive to start saving money to have it removed but I am becoming disgusted with my appearance. Has anyone else went through this phase?

Yanicka1

I would say wait to be at your goal weight for a year before having a consult with a plastic surgon. It needs time to snap back. For me, my genetic and age is against me. I alot of extra skin on my belly (6 pregnancies) but my goal is to be healthy and my extra skin will probably stay with me.

txhunnygirl

I am planning for next Thanksgiving to have it removed. I have an "apron" which is starting to keep a rash. If it was just a little loose skin I would be ok but this is awful and I am worried if it gets worse that I will start getting infections.

AnninStPaul

I am planning for next Thanksgiving to have it removed. I have an "apron" which is starting to keep a rash. If it was just a little loose skin I would be ok but this is awful and I am worried if it gets worse that I will start getting infections.

CONGRATULATIONS ON GREAT WORK! You are doing really really well!

And you are right to be concerned about an infection -- it's moisture getting trapped in between that causes the rash. Make sure your underwear/clothing breathe enough to get the moisture away and pick up some dIaper cream. Seriously, what you're encountering is the same type of dermatitis. I am not a doctor, and you might want to see one to be sure, but using a cream to protect the skin should allow it to heal and prevent further rashes.

Congratulations!!

inspirem

I would get a consultation, just to see what the surgeon would recommend and then you will be able to plan what needs to be done more efficiently! Knowledge is key as well as power!

Maryfullofgrace

I feel for you. Keep drinking water, if you can, wear a bit of supportive clothing like a stretchy camisole. I find this helps a lot. For a few months I was working out like a fiend and losing weight rather quickly and I started having some problems with loose skin. I scaled back and began losing weight slower (about a half pound a week) and the loose skin problem is not as much of a problem. You are young, it should come back and save you from having to endure the surgery. Which I hear is not pleasant.

_VoV

Years ago, when I was in my 20's, I lost almost 100 lbs. The excess skin was really awful. I felt like an old grandma under my clothes--not at all how I wanted to feel at age 25! I ended up having a tummy tuck, but lost a lot of sensation in the abdominal area for years. For instance, if I had a tummy itch, no amount of scratching would relieve it. There were also other disappointments. Message me if you want to ask me anything.

After my surgical experience, I heard that waiting a year for the skin to catch up to your body is advisable. I wish I had done that. It's a different species I know, but I once had a seriously obese cat who developed diabetes. He went from 20 to 10 lbs. in about a year, and had a sack of loose skin hanging from his belly. It took time--probably a couple of years--but it eventually tightened up.

XFitMojoMom

I just had abdominoplasty and I am thrilled. My apron really hampered everything in my life - from my libido to my confidence in the gym...
Things to consider prior to getting a tummy tuck is: are you done having children? Have you been at a steady weight for more than a year? Are you at or near your goal weight wit just some vanity pounds left to go?

As for sealing with the apron rash - get some gold bonds or baby powder with cornstarch. It helped relieve the chafing for me.

txhunnygirl

I am close to being at my goal weight. I have 28 more pounds to go. I am planning to be at that wait for close to a year before having anything done but I think I am going to see a surgeon to get his opinion. I am thinking after the first of the year about getting a consultation.

_VoV

Good plan, txhunnygirl. I will hope that your body itself does the tightening you seek in that year of wait.

txhunnygirl

Thanks!

CyberEd312

I just had abdominoplasty and I am thrilled. My apron really hampered everything in my life - from my libido to my confidence in the gym...
Things to consider prior to getting a tummy tuck is: are you done having children? Have you been at a steady weight for more than a year? Are you at or near your goal weight wit just some vanity pounds left to go?

As for sealing with the apron rash - get some gold bonds or baby powder with cornstarch. It helped relieve the chafing for me.

I am speaking from some real experience here, Yes it is a major problem for me too and very uncomfortable ALL the Time but 28 months ago I could barely walk and today with the help of my knee braces and pain meds I have one workout in this morning and looking forward to my workout tonight. So you have to weigh the good with the bad and in my cause I can live with this for now over where I came from. I went to the surgeon about 6 weeks ago, I had no idea how much more I needed to lose so he told me another 30 lbs. would be good and I will need 2 surgeries (tummytuck then a total body lift) After the first 100 lbs. lost I was having all kinds of problems with rashes and infections. (I had several bouts with cellulitis that caused a few trips to the ER) but over the next 183 lbs. I learned how to keep those areas clean and have since taken out stock in Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder lol... I did the creams at the beginning but I found that this just keep the area moist and that was a breeding ground for infection. Once a switch to baby powder and kept the areas dry I literally haven't had any problems since... I apply baby powder several times a day, works great!!!