Panicking about loose/hanging skin

Faye_Anderson

Ah! So, just as everything is going wonderfully I've reached a point where my brain has decided to taunt me, "Yeah you're losing weight, very good, what use is slimming to a size 8 if you look like you've melted?"
Does anyone have any hints/tips to stop/correct the hanging skin as I lose weight, I wouldn't want to go down the surgery route.

odettesok

I dont know of any ideas, but I would be interested!

floridagirl7264

Lose weight slowly so that your skin has a chance to adjust. I don't know your age but the younger you are the more resilient your skin is. As we get older, the skin loses some of its resiliency. The older we are the slower we need to lose so that we don't have extra sagging skin.

JMun

lose it slowly.
if you're not already doing strength training start.. also pilates and yoga helps strengthen core and lift saggy bits up.
exfoliate & moisturize

but most importantly, stop worrying about it. Get your body healthy and give your skin time to recover years of damage.

I have some ripply sag but it's merely a reminder of how far I've come.

HMD7703

I agree with the other posters... lose it slow or else!!

I use cocoa butter.. by the ton. Who knows it is an old wives tale, but I will use it none the less.
Strength training, cardio and yoga will help to build muscle (to fill out the skin), lose fat and build long, lean muscles.


Don't be scared of the unknown!!!

Just do it :bigsmile:

cici1028

I found that yoga was excellent at building muscle mass and tightening a lot of loose skin I had in my arms/thighs/abdomen. Everyone else is right too... lose it slowly!

ninerbuff

Ah! So, just as everything is going wonderfully I've reached a point where my brain has decided to taunt me, "Yeah you're losing weight, very good, what use is slimming to a size 8 if you look like you've melted?"
Does anyone have any hints/tips to stop/correct the hanging skin as I lose weight, I wouldn't want to go down the surgery route.

Unfortunately if the result of losing weight is loose skin, then unless it retracts on it's own in a few months, surgery would be the only route.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

whtlatina1214

i found this website very very helpful because i have the same worry especially because i had a csection when i had my baby so i already have some loose skin , i hope you find it as helpful as i did


http://allwomenstalk.com/how-to-tighten-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/

japruzze

Been there, have that. Unfortunately lose skin is the downside of losing a lot of weight. Getting rid of it, without surgery, is a factor of age, how long you carried the weight originally, how much you lose and how fast. I've lost 170 lbs and have (according to my doctor) 10-15 lbs of excess skin in my arms, thighs, belly (the most visible) and butt. I was lucky, I don't have the "turkey neck". Strength exercises to build muscle with help, also keeping your skin moisturized helps with appearance. I choose NOT to have surgery. Too expensive, insurance won't cover it and I've seem some real messes as a result.

I'll NEVER wear a bikini or expose my mid-drift (too much drift). I've gotten comfortable with with my arms and legs so shorts and tee shirts are OK. Tanks tops or strapless make me uncomfortable but I do "low cut" or off the shoulder well. I do use spanks and flexies when I want to smooth out the skin, They have some excellent products that are comfortable and affordable.

Good luck!

japruzze

bump.

superstarcassie

Don't even worry about it! I have it- but it doesn't ruin my life. I am SO SO SO much happier and healthier after losing 133 lbs- I would take lose skin over my previous state any day. Strength training and exercise has helped my skin not be terrible. I did lose weight at a good rate- I have been on this journey since 2010....maintaining for the past 6 months (re starting and hoping to lose 25 more lbs now).......and I still have the loose skin. It gets better each day. Just go for it- don't stall because you are afraid!

Scarlett_S

Well, I hate to tell you this, but there is no solution. I've lost 90 lbs and there is loose skin. But its a LOT better than fat, and much easier to hide.

If you google some pics you can maybe see what to expect. I've seen lots of pictures and mine isn't nearly as bad as many that I've seen. I've managed to keep my arms looking great by weight lifting from day one and not stopping - I don't have that issue. Thighs and stomach are a whole 'nother story, but I don't plan to have plastic surgery either.

Faye_Anderson

Thanks for all your replies. I will be 32 in 9 days, hopefully still young enough for some of it to shrink with me :ohwell: We'll just have to see how it goes :happy:

janet_pratt

I lost it fairly slowly and I don't have any loose skin. I still have some to lose, but so far, after 100 pounds, everything is ok. I would worry about getting the weight off and then see what happens.

Kelico528

Good luck! I'm worried about this too. I don't have much to lose now, but I'm thinking (hypothetically) if my husband and I have children, what then!? Definitely going to check out that website when I get home :-)

CoryIda

You know, I actually get the "how did you avoid bat wings/loose skin" question a lot.
To be perfectly honest, I was lucky. Genetics plays a pretty big role in it, but the biggest things you can do to reduce/eliminate the chances of excess skin are:
1) Drink lots of water (think of filling a regular balloon and a water balloon - if you empty them both, which goes back to closer to its original size? The one with moisture in it)
2) Moisturize - sort of the same as above.
3) Exercise - that means cardio AND strength (yes, that does mean some lifting - learn to like it - and no, you won't get big manly muscles from it).

Other than that, just hope for the best and be patient - skin can take a couple of years to "bounce back" after weight loss (I'm hoping that will happen with my lower tummy, which is the only place I have noticeable loose skin).

SouthernBeauty89

Lose slowly & have at least 2-3 days outta the week where you are doing some type of yoga, or pilates, or any strength training.

(Source of info)
My Dad who is Active Duty Army & excelled at Master Fitness. He knows his stuff to say the least. Hope that helps some.

Ely82010

bump

mallorybriann

If you lose it slow, you shouldn't have that much of an issue.
When you see people on TV that have had gastric bypass or lost weight extremely fast, they will usually have excess skin.
Your skin is elastic, it just needs time to adjust.

Nana2527

very helpful website, thanks!

mudya

bump

kimmie185

For some people, it may be unavoidable. It really depends on different factors such as

-age
-amount of weight loss
-genetics

My doctor told me that the best way to determine is by looking at your family and their history on their skin such as, did the skin bouce back after pregnancy? how the skin looks as they get older? etc.
Stay active, do weight training, and eat healthy foods and see how the cards play!

rmb8

what does "bump" mean, people??

rmb8

what does "bump" mean?

redbird99

I don't remember what the letters stand for, but people type "bump" when they want the topic to be listed in the "My Topics" list so they can find it quickly but don't really have anything to say right now on the topic.

innerbetty

lol bump is just away to keep a thread on the first page

Ely82010

For some people, it may be unavoidable. It really depends on different factors such as

-age
-amount of weight loss
-genetics

My doctor told me that the best way to determine is by looking at your family and their history on their skin such as, did the skin bouce back after pregnancy? how the skin looks as they get older? etc.
Stay active, do weight training, and eat healthy foods and see how the cards play!

Number 1 and 3 are against me, so I am doomed!!

JMun

For some people, it may be unavoidable. It really depends on different factors such as

-age
-amount of weight loss
-genetics

My doctor told me that the best way to determine is by looking at your family and their history on their skin such as, did the skin bouce back after pregnancy? how the skin looks as they get older? etc.
Stay active, do weight training, and eat healthy foods and see how the cards play!

Number 1 and 3 are against me, so I am doomed!!

Being doomed is probably having a body full of skin THICK and FULL of fat. Dooming you to a lifetime of risk factors that include early death.

Seriously.. ya'll need to stop worrying about it so much. One battle at a time.

Ely82010

Being doomed is probably having a body full of skin THICK and FULL of fat. Dooming you to a lifetime of risk factors that include early death.

Seriously.. ya'll need to stop worrying about it so much. One battle at a time.

Well, I was never really overweight, unless you consider 15 lbs over as being overweight. Lost everything very slowly (very, very slowly). Always exercised, including ballet and jazz dance and ate/eat healthy; however, I come from a family where all the females have big buts, thunder legs, celulitis, and very poor muscle tone. So yes, I know that I am fighting a battle that I will never win, especially at my age. I do worry, I always did, but I keep on going. My choice, my battle.