Lose Skin after 60 Ibs and going

hedwighigh

I just went to my doctor and showed her my stomach. She told me that what I thought was just an abnormal stomach shape was loose skin ... which won't go away without surgery.

I cried.

See I had a ex-boyfriend that tried to break up with me while we were dating because it didn't look attractive to him. So I'm really scared to show my present boyfriend my stomach ... even though I've worked so hard this last year and a half. He's really sweet and I know he wouldn't try to break up with me or anything like the last guy but I'm still scared.

I would really like your opinions. I'm going to post a picture of my stomach too. My friends tell me it's not bad but their my friends. I would like a less biased opinion.

There's more fat that needs to go too. I'm thinking about 10-15 pounds. I'm losing it slower and working out now though. I've also read that the lower your body fat percentage the better the skin gets. So it shouldn't get worse right?

If I'm over-reacting, I'm sorry. I think it's kinda understandable considering the reactions I've received in the past though.

Sorry, I'm trying to get the size right with the pics....

helenoftroy1

I almost cried when I read your post! You are completely normal!!! Your belly looks a HELL of a lot better than mine!
Well done on all your hard work and are you freaking kidding me with your ex?!
You're beautiful so panic no more!

mandylooo

Firstly, it really isn't bad at all. I have a friend who lost a lot of weight and looked quite similar, but it has tightened up now. I think you have to wait and see and be proud of your achievements so far - you don't post a before photo, but I'm sure you look better now.

hedwighigh

I don't really have a before photo.

Definitely of not of me showing my stomach at least.

My belly button has always been sorta folded though. It has gotten better.

I wish I was kidding about my ex, he was an @$$.

To make it worse, I weighed less than him.

ymhand

Well, I have to say I looked at your pics and had to do a double take to even see what your talking about. I totally understand that everyone has issues and not to say yours are not valid but from where I am standing I think you are over reacting. I am about 80 lbs over weight and have a daughter by c-section. So, I would love to be in your shoes right now. I am terrified of what my skin will look like after.

hedwighigh

I understand if I'm overreacting.
But that's part of the reason I needed to post, you don't really know if you're overreacting until other people tell you.
As pretty much 90% of this community, I've got a big complex about my midsection.
Thank you for the comments. I've learned that things always look worse to yourself compared to others.
I guess we're all our own biggest critics.

grrl77

You look amazing. I think a lot of confidence totally comes from within, too, so if you rock what you got, chances are he won't think two things of it. You just gotta believe it. You've come so far, girl. You've lost 61 lbs! That's incredible! Your body is beautiful, your spirit's beautiful for having overcome that - lots of people don't even get that far. Rock it out, girl! You're amazing, and if he doesn't get that (which it doesn't sound like he'll have any issue at all) then eff him.

skazerani

It does not look bad !! I am at goal weight and my stomach looks a lot worse. I am to nervous to post a pic to show you

rileamoyer

Your stomach looks fine, lots better than mine did when I was young. You are young, with continued progess and keeping yourself fit, you will be surprised at exactly how much will eventually tighten up. Give it at least a year after your reach your goal and have successfully continued to work out. Then if you are unhappy with your tummy, research the surgery. I am amazed sometimes about how shallow some folks can be! You are better off without the first and current, if he is worthwhile, won't mind a bit. Congratulations on your hard work, be proud of yourself.

ymhand

[I guess we're all our own biggest critics.
[/quote]
For sure! Keep up the good work though = )

mleoni092708

I think you look awesome and have nothing to be embarrassed about. I wish my stomach was as small as yours!

When I met my husband, he had recently lost quite a bit of weight and had loose belly skin. I liked him for who he was, so it didn't bother me. If you meet someone and they don't like you because of it-they are not good people and you are better off without them

flausa

Let me just say that your picture gave me hope. I've lost over 80 lbs and my stomach doesn't look as good as yours does (YET!). I thought you were going to show something horrible and sagging, but you didn't! You might not be rocking a six pack, but you certainly aren't sporting a kegger either. Be proud of your success and love your body!

Ilovedrinkingtea

Try doing a search on MFP for lose/loose skin and see what comes up, this is a huge problem for a lot of people. You've worked really hard, you've lost a lot of weight and I think that you've got hardly any loose skin at all, from reading your post I was expecting the pictures to be so much worse!!!

I think it probably looks much worse to you than to everyone else, so don't panic! See how you look after you've lost all the weight you want to lose, and check with a doctor to see if there is anything you can do to improve the situation xx

galegetsthin

Mine looks almost just like that! Only MUCH worse! I had a c-section, have lost a lot of weight and its just not "there" yet. It has gotten better. In a couple of years, if you keep it hydrated, it will be barely noticeable. And as far as the ex..... It is a good thing he is your ex! You deserve someone better than that. You have worked hard and come a long way! If someone cares for you, then they will almost see that as a badge of honor for losing the weight. You keep going, girl! Stay hydrated, drink LOTS of water and use lotion. Good hydration helps skin regain elasticity. It is barely noticeable now!

thagberg2011

First of all, Congrads on losing so much weight!!!! Truthfully it is not a big deal at all. You should see my stomach lol that will make someone run lol. If he left you because of that he wasnt worth being with. Your beautiful and dont let anyone tell you otherwise

sculley

Dear trust me your looks so much better than mine, I have had to c-sections in 7 years my most recent being 9 months ago. And honestly your skin might firm up alittle bit I know mine did alittle after my first kid. With alot of watching calories intense calistetics and long distance jogging...

Chin up...your beautiful

cppeace

dear I don't think it's bad at all.. You look great. Be confidant and happy. Know that you are beautiful at any size.
I'm proud of you and you should be too. Any man that would drop you cause of your size isn't worth your time or tears.
xx
Kimmy

joeygirl84

I'm sorry, but the heck with anyone who can't love you... tummy and all, whatever it is they might thing is wrong with it? I have almost lost 80 lbs... and I have the same kind of stomach, ... my husband is focused so much on how happy he is that i am healthier and less weight... that he doesn't care about how it looks.

You need that kind of man... a man that knows how to really love.

crudd12

Your belly looks fine! Your old boyfriend was a jerk! My husband married me when I weighed 180. He said I was bigger than most girls that he dated but that he loved me for what was on the inside! You don't need surgery! Just keep working out and you'll be fine! Your new boyfriend hopefully loves you for you not what your body looks like! Good luck!

Bentley2718

1) Eff your ex, he sounds like a douche.
2) We're our own worst critics, I have lost a lot of weight and have quite a bit of extra skin (I can still do the pull away thing some new mothers can do, and it's been a few years since I lost most of my weight), but my husband says he loves my body--and I believe him.
3) You've worked hard, be proud of yourself, even with the skin. If it's still there, and still bothers you in a year or two, think about surgery more then.
4) Exercise doesn't always help, I hope it does in your case, but be aware that it might not. But you know what, having strong abs/core muscles is awesome, even if they don't help with the extra skin.

Personally, I hate my extra skin, especially because it gets caught on the pole when I dance and hurts like a mofo, but the surgeries can leave bad scaring, so there is a trade-off.

marycmeadows

omg.first off if a guy has a problem with it then he doesn't truly love you and he's not worth your time!
you look great, and as women we always endure something that will probably 'deform' our bodies for life -- hello - carrying children?!
society gives us false ideals - and gives men false ideals - of what women should look like - you look fantastic, and you should be proud of all your hard work - someone who is worth your time and love will accept you for you -- potentially saggy stomach skin and all! (I'm going to have the same thing - it's already creeping up on me - i've lost almost 100 pounds since January 1 - and I want to lose another 30-40 pounds - I started at 303.4 - the potential sag is inevitable.) - but the payoff from the hard work is totally worth it (oh and just so you know - not all men care -- my boyfriend would rather me keep the saggy skin than go under the knife for something that doesn't 'need' to be fixed)....

microwoman999

I would say your belly looks pretty good! I have the same worry I know I am far from being done but when I hit that 100 down marker my belly will be the same I have done some research on this. Please don't ever worry about a guy over this!

This is one that made me feel a bit better.....

http://www.burnthefat.com/loose_skin.html

But this one was I felt more informative! Hope this helps!

http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-tighten-loose-skin-after-weight-loss.aspx

microwoman999

I would say your belly looks pretty good! I have the same worry I know I am far from being done but when I hit that 100 down marker my belly will be the same I have done some research on this. Please don't ever worry about a guy over this!

This is one that made me feel a bit better.....

http://www.burnthefat.com/loose_skin.html

But this one was I felt more informative! Hope this helps!

http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-tighten-loose-skin-after-weight-loss.aspx

lisafred24

First off, your stomach does not look that bad, you are correct that you are your own worst critic. Keep up the hard work, just remember that you have to lose it slower and work out to help with the elasticity of your skin.

Second, screw the ex boyfriend, what an *kitten*. I can understand you being self-conscious after what the ex said to you, but you have to give the new guy a chance. If he feels the same, then he is an *kitten* too and better to find that out now than down the road. But you might just be lucky enough to have found a guy that loves you for you and will be supportive of your weight loss and what you are trying to do instead of making you feel bad. My guess, if you were smaller than the ex, he was trying to sabotage you.

Hold that held up and be proud of what you have accomplished.

mjf0461

Okay first off.. Your boyfriend is suppose to love you good or bad not for what you look like or your body looks like. He's shallow on that for sure. I've been in the medical field for many years, and it's a proven fact that it can take up to 2 years for the skin to retract to the muscle and dermis. YES 2 years.. I've seen it in women in their 60's and men as well. It can and does happen. Alot depends on the length of time your skin has been stretched out, how extensive the stretch was for that length of time. We always told our patients to make sure and use plenty of lotion it helps the skin's elasticity if it is not dry. Needs to be moist.
Big thing here, GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK. You have made a major achievement in losing this weight. Pat yourself on the back girl and be proud of what you have done.. You got this don't worry. Keep going strong and don't let a shallow man's opinion hold you back and make you feel inferior... GOOD JOB GIRL...

MelissaCristal

You know my brother lost around the same amount of weight as you I think he may have lost even more and his stomach looked just like that!! but guess what? he runs 2 miles a day, does 80 push ups and 120 situp a day and his stomach has tightened up sooooo muchhhh!! You dont need surgery just a partner to do this everyday with! add me and I'll be more than happy to do this with you!

hedwighigh

Thank you guys so much.
I hope I don't look stupid for posting this. I didn't mean to make to seem worse than it was.
That's just how I saw it in my head.

I feel so much better though.
It was just really frustrating to hear that from a doctor after you work so hard to one day get into bikinis.

I guess from here on I need to work on confidence while I finish up the weight loss and work on maintenance.
I feel like my boyfriend would find my lack of confidence much more frustrating than my stomach.
I'll work on my attitude about myself now.

laurabarrett79

Girl you look great! I'm about 10 lbs away from my goal weight and one year post-baby delivery. I have very lose cottage cheesy skin that I am self-concious about Your tummy looks fine and is nice and smooth! I too would like to firm up my belly and extra skin and was told recently by a certified nutritionist that the key is cardio, cardio, cardio, and watching calories. Sounds simple, right? Also, you're young and just recent from losing a lot of weight, so the firming up of your skin isn't going to happen overnight! At this age please don't stress out about surgery or shallow boyfriend(s). You need a little boost in your confidence and know that you look fantastic!

basschick

I would kill to have a stomach like yours. I weigh around 120 lbs., wear a size 4, and have never had kids but my lower abdomen looks like that of someone who weighs about 250 lbs. and has had 4 C-sections -- and that's no exaggeration. Doctors are baffled as to why my stomach looks the way it does -- bad genes I guess. I'm the perfect candidate for a tummy tuck (healthy, thin, pretty much ALL of the excess fat in my entire body is concentrated in one area) but I'm a wimp when it comes to pain and I can't afford the surgery. I've learned to live with it, wear control top undies, and fortunately hubby doesn't mind. :-)

strohst

Ok 1st of all your ex is stupid... no one should make you feel crapy like that! you are beautiful! 2nd you look amazing ! 3rd I wish my stomach looked that good!!!

alofay

I just got a groupon the other day that offered a special massage that focuses on restoring the elasticity to loose skin and removing toxins from the body...