Stretch Marks & Pouch Before & Afters

Dexy_

I know there is a very similar thread going but it's at 15 pages & most of the before/afters are of women who didn't have stretch marks or a pouch after pregnancy.

I am after some inspiration from women who have had children, got the dreaded stretch marks and the pouch. I feel like my only option when I get to my goal weight is surgery... please tell me it can be done without the excess skin!

Dexy_

Bump :flowerforyou:

AntWrig

I was just going to post this.

I have a client who has lost their "pouch". The problem is the stretch marks associated with the child. I told her there is really no hope. Vitamin E can do some help but it won't repair the mark.

Thoughts?

Dexy_

I know that my stretch marks are pretty damned permanent, but that they will (and have mostly) faded to a white/silver.

It's really the idea of having a lot of excess skin hanging off me that scares me, I don't have the money or courage for a tummy tuck!

AntWrig

I know that my stretch marks are pretty damned permanent, but that they will (and have mostly) faded to a white/silver.

It's really the idea of having a lot of excess skin hanging off me that scares me, I don't have the money or courage for a tummy tuck!

Well the second part is pretty simple. Don't set out to lose a huge amount of weight.

Incorporate weight training in your routine. Focus on losing a pound per week. That slow and steady progress will allow your skin to tighten up along the way.

The massive amounts of skin loss comes from those who are:

1. Severely obese.
2. Use drastic measure to drop weight fast.

Dexy_

I usually only lose about 0.2-0.5kgs a week (except last week I dropped 2kg for some reason!!). Slow and steady wins the race, I know that. But I have spoken to a lot of women who lost their weight slowly with a lot of weight training (I do about 70% weights and 30% cardio) & they still have a LOT of excess skin by the time their body fat % was back in check.

chevy88grl

I have a bit of a belly pouch left and I've come to realize? It isn't fat, it is skin. Skin that stretched both with two pregnancies and weight gain. Unfortunately, it won't go away with diet or exercise. I didn't lose my weight quickly and I did it the right way. Sometimes the skin has just been stretched beyond its limits to return to its normal state.


I accept that this is who I am. I have two kids and I won't ever have a flat belly again nor will I ever wear a bikini again. I'm okay with it.

Perhaps some day - I will have a tummy tuck, but right now I'm too cheap to have cosmetic surgery just to have it.

As for the stretch marks, they've all faded to my normal skin tone and can barely be seen anymore.

GoreWhore72

I know that my stretch marks are pretty damned permanent, but that they will (and have mostly) faded to a white/silver.

It's really the idea of having a lot of excess skin hanging off me that scares me, I don't have the money or courage for a tummy tuck!

Well the second part is pretty simple. Don't set out to lose a huge amount of weight.

Incorporate weight training in your routine. Focus on losing a pound per week. That slow and steady progress will allow your skin to tighten up along the way.

The massive amounts of skin loss comes from those how are:

1. Severely obese.
2. Use drastic measure to drop weight fast.

Thanks. That's what I thought. I'm a little worried about the lower part of my belly due to pregnancy, and I did have very wide stretch marks.

BaconMD

I thought zinc would help, too?

Dexy_

I have a bit of a belly pouch left and I've come to realize? It isn't fat, it is skin. Skin that stretched both with two pregnancies and weight gain. Unfortunately, it won't go away with diet or exercise. I didn't lose my weight quickly and I did it the right way. Sometimes the skin has just been stretched beyond its limits to return to its normal state.


I accept that this is who I am. I have two kids and I won't ever have a flat belly again nor will I ever wear a bikini again. I'm okay with it.

Perhaps some day - I will have a tummy tuck, but right now I'm too cheap to have cosmetic surgery just to have it.

I think in the back of my head I knew this, just didn't want to believe it! Argh! It's exactly this that makes me want to just be fat forever, what's the point in being healthy if I still HATE my body?

chevy88grl

I know that my stretch marks are pretty damned permanent, but that they will (and have mostly) faded to a white/silver.

It's really the idea of having a lot of excess skin hanging off me that scares me, I don't have the money or courage for a tummy tuck!

Well the second part is pretty simple. Don't set out to lose a huge amount of weight.

Incorporate weight training in your routine. Focus on losing a pound per week. That slow and steady progress will allow your skin to tighten up along the way.

The massive amounts of skin loss comes from those who are:

1. Severely obese.
2. Use drastic measure to drop weight fast.

I think you'll find that a lot of women end up with the pouch because of how far their skin was stretched during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot that can be done to eliminate that excess skin - minus surgery.

chevy88grl

I have a bit of a belly pouch left and I've come to realize? It isn't fat, it is skin. Skin that stretched both with two pregnancies and weight gain. Unfortunately, it won't go away with diet or exercise. I didn't lose my weight quickly and I did it the right way. Sometimes the skin has just been stretched beyond its limits to return to its normal state.


I accept that this is who I am. I have two kids and I won't ever have a flat belly again nor will I ever wear a bikini again. I'm okay with it.

Perhaps some day - I will have a tummy tuck, but right now I'm too cheap to have cosmetic surgery just to have it.

I think in the back of my head I knew this, just didn't want to believe it! Argh! It's exactly this that makes me want to just be fat forever, what's the point in being healthy if I still HATE my body?

As you lose weight and get healthier, you'll start to come to terms with the flaws that your body still has. It has taken me a long time, but instead of looking in the mirror and thinking "damn that belly skin!" I focus on the things I like...

I have fabulous arms. I've worked very hard on my arms and they look great.

I love my hourglass shape. I have larger hips and have always hated them - until I realized? They give me a beautiful shape.


There will be things you love and things you don't love about your body. Don't let the "don't loves" control you. Keep losing weight. Get healthier. You'll be surprised at how your focusing on what can change and what does change helps your mindset.

AntWrig

I know that my stretch marks are pretty damned permanent, but that they will (and have mostly) faded to a white/silver.

It's really the idea of having a lot of excess skin hanging off me that scares me, I don't have the money or courage for a tummy tuck!

Well the second part is pretty simple. Don't set out to lose a huge amount of weight.

Incorporate weight training in your routine. Focus on losing a pound per week. That slow and steady progress will allow your skin to tighten up along the way.

The massive amounts of skin loss comes from those who are:

1. Severely obese.
2. Use drastic measure to drop weight fast.

I think you'll find that a lot of women end up with the pouch because of how far their skin was stretched during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot that can be done to eliminate that excess skin - minus surgery.

I can see that.

kbogati

im putting all my hopes into skin firming lotion. i know it wont get rid of all of it, but im hoping for something i can live with

chevy88grl

I know that my stretch marks are pretty damned permanent, but that they will (and have mostly) faded to a white/silver.

It's really the idea of having a lot of excess skin hanging off me that scares me, I don't have the money or courage for a tummy tuck!

Well the second part is pretty simple. Don't set out to lose a huge amount of weight.

Incorporate weight training in your routine. Focus on losing a pound per week. That slow and steady progress will allow your skin to tighten up along the way.

The massive amounts of skin loss comes from those who are:

1. Severely obese.
2. Use drastic measure to drop weight fast.

I think you'll find that a lot of women end up with the pouch because of how far their skin was stretched during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot that can be done to eliminate that excess skin - minus surgery.

I can see that.

Such is life.

I wouldn't give up my kids for a flat belly.

AntWrig

im putting all my hopes into skin firming lotion. i know it wont get rid of all of it, but im hoping for something i can live with

Which one are using? I thought the FDA had banned all the good one.

kelsgrenier

I have horrible stretch marks from medication that causes "thin skin" i'm trying absolutely everything to get rid of them and nothing seems to be working. the only thing i know of is plastic surgery to cut them out and to close the skin. i had some old ones from when i was growing that i had bleached them with peroxide and they had completely faded and didn't bother me, but these bright red ones that actually bleed make me quite embarrassed. im hoping someone has had some success with getting them to fade quickly. as long as they are healed and you dont mind a very mild hint of them the only thing i know of is the peroxide without having to go to a plastic surgeon.

mrsweigl

after my 3rd baby my belly was not the same

[IMG]<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af116/mrsweigl/biggestloser/?action=view&current=user4720_pic4822_1296557085.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af116/mrsweigl/biggestloser/user4720_pic4822_1296557085.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img][IMG]after a few months working out http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af116/mrsweigl/biggestloser/user4720_pic4986_1303375698.jpg I am optimistic though, i do not see any "loose skin" but i do have stretchmarks, they are getting less noticeable though[/img]

Dexy_

after my 3rd baby my belly was not the same



after a few months working out


I am optimistic though, i do not see any "loose skin" but i do have stretchmarks, they are getting less noticeable though

Dexy_

You look awesome mrsweigl!

mrsweigl

thanks for the help

MermaidFaith

after my 3rd baby my belly was not the same

[img]<ahref="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af116/mrsweigl/biggestloser/?action=view&current=user4720_pic4822_1296557085.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af116/mrsweigl/biggestloser/user4720_pic4822_1296557085.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]

after a few months working out


I am optimistic though, i do not see any "loose skin" but i do have stretchmarks, they are getting less noticeable though

you look great

FionaAnne22

I'm interested to see some before and afters too. After having two very large children through sections, at only 5'2, plus being obese, Im accepting that there will always be loose skin there...just curious to see what it may look like I guess.

I get what you are saying Dexy about whats the point in losing weight if you still don't like your body, but I guess thats just part of the changes you have from having kids. The kids are worth the loose skin, its just getting your head around the fact that it may be there no matter what you do, unless you have surgery to get rid of it.

kbogati

i was using the st ives and that seemed to be helping but they dont sell it anymore. picked up a bottle of nivea a few days ago

mrsweigl

You look awesome mrsweigl!

:flowerforyou: thank you

NicolettetheGreek

Stretch marks, use Bio Oil, sold at Drug stores. Expensive, but worth it. Wont take hem away, but will help in their appearance,

agranados87

Stretch marks don't go away, no matter what magic lotion or cream you use- it's not worth the money.Before I got prego I was in amazing shape, unfortunately I let myself go while I was pregnant and gained almost 60 lbs. So far I have lost 50 of it 5 months, it has been hard and my body doesn't look the same even though I am nearing my pre-preg weight. I am coming to terms with the fact that I will always have my baby pooch no matter how many ab work outs I do and that is just the way it is. I love my baby and if I have to have a pooch to have her, then so be it :flowerforyou:

Longbowgilly

I don't have any stretch marks but I do have the flabby lower belly, I have NOT had kids though!
I hate it, It is getting smaller but it used to touch the top of my thighs on occasion! YUK!:sick:

HorrorChix89

I had my son when I was 14 (yeah yeah yeah i heard it all already) and lucky me I didn't get any stretch marks. Well except my boobs since they grew 2 cups, but hey it was gonna happen anyway.

I have a pouch but I'm not sure how much of it is actual skin vs just fat. I'm trying to tone and build muscle right now so we'll see how that changes in the months to come. My mother suggested getting a tummy tuck but told me not to try it until I'm done having kids. So maybe after 1 more I'll get one for sure because I refuse to have a big family. It has nothing to do with "giving up my kids for a flat stomach"

EDIT: Also I think it's funny that the ad to the right was for TriLASTIN-SR Intensive Stretch Mark Complex

luvlyjanny

I have a bit of a belly pouch left and I've come to realize? It isn't fat, it is skin. Skin that stretched both with two pregnancies and weight gain. Unfortunately, it won't go away with diet or exercise. I didn't lose my weight quickly and I did it the right way. Sometimes the skin has just been stretched beyond its limits to return to its normal state.


I accept that this is who I am. I have two kids and I won't ever have a flat belly again nor will I ever wear a bikini again. I'm okay with it.

Perhaps some day - I will have a tummy tuck, but right now I'm too cheap to have cosmetic surgery just to have it.

As for the stretch marks, they've all faded to my normal skin tone and can barely be seen anymore.

lol nothing to do with the post but i am wearing the exact same t'shirt you've got on this very minute

Dexy_

I had my son when I was 14 (yeah yeah yeah i heard it all already) and lucky me I didn't get any stretch marks. Well except my boobs since they grew 2 cups, but hey it was gonna happen anyway.

I have a pouch but I'm not sure how much of it is actual skin vs just fat. I'm trying to tone and build muscle right now so we'll see how that changes in the months to come. My mother suggested getting a tummy tuck but told me not to try it until I'm done having kids. So maybe after 1 more I'll get one for sure because I refuse to have a big family. It has nothing to do with "giving up my kids for a flat stomach"

EDIT: Also I think it's funny that the ad to the right was for TriLASTIN-SR Intensive Stretch Mark Complex

I had my first at 14, too! lol