? About your skin after weight loss

Cambury108
Cambury108 Posts: 13
in Motivation and Support
I have quite a bit of weight to lose, I have lost 10 pounds so far since the second week of July and I ultimately want to lose 100 or more pounds. My biggest fear is what my skin will look like. I know it can't go back to "normal" I also know that every case is different but I would like to hear from anyone who started out at around 300 or more and has lost a good amount of weight as to what your skin is like today. I do toning exercises to try and help my skin but I am still afraid. I work full time and I move constantly and then I strive for 3-5 30min work outs a week. I just got a new Tae Bo DVD so that is my new workout for the time being. I use the 10 minute solution toning DVD 1-2 times a week to try and help the skin. Any other suggestions or information is wonderful. I would just like to know or prepare I guess for what I have to look forward to once I hit the 50lbs lost mark and beyond.

Thank you in advance for any replies :)

Also feel free to send me a friend request if you like, I need all the support I can get.

Replies

  • kini324
    kini324 Posts: 239 Member
    Hi there,

    I didn't start out that high, but I have lost a lot of weight and have a lot of loose skin now. It is VERY VERY SLOWLY tightening up as I tone more and more. I didn't think of loose skin in the beginning like you- and I wish I had! I don't think I will ever have flat belly or skinny thighs, but I'm dealing with it. It's better than being 80 lbs heavier!

    Toning is great- drink lots of water! Other than that, I don't believe there are many other factors we can control.

    Cardio will be good and the toning will help. Keep up with that!

    If you have any questions, let me know!
  • YoshiZelda
    YoshiZelda Posts: 340 Member
    I'm also very worried about this lol. I have 100+ pounds to lose, and the thought of what my skin will look like afterwards scares me.
  • madelonism
    madelonism Posts: 292 Member
    ive lost a great deal, and still have about 90 to lose. my stomach folds in half at the belly button alot now and when i turn i can see my skin ripple. my thighs also look like they are hanging slightly with cellulite which i never had before. but it looks a whole lot better than 65 pounds of extra fat.
  • SWilkins75
    SWilkins75 Posts: 277 Member
    I have goggled this and seen it in TLC movies and it is not pretty. My body is starting to look more gross with the saggy belly. I am sure age and genetics play a factor. I have concerns about this as well. I know I can't afford the abdominopasty surgery :( So even if I lost 100lbs, I'd have to wear bigger jeans and tuck my tummy in :(
  • morganmay92
    morganmay92 Posts: 78
    All you can really do is lose weight slowly like 1-2 lbs a week. Well you could use skin tightening lotions for when you are losing weight, every day so it might help :)
    I need to start doing it. I lost 85 pounds but need to tone up and lose more but scared of the loose skin at the end! I'm tryign to get rid of my stupid "apron" belly....I've always had it so it wasn't from pregnancy, never been pregnant lol.

    Everyone body's different and worse case scenario..their is tummy tuck available.
  • jerbear1962
    jerbear1962 Posts: 1,157 Member
    I know with the plan of losing about 140 to 150 pounds I'm going to have loose skin. It won't be the most attractive but I will have skin removal surgery. I know I will and even look forward to getting to that size.
  • SWilkins75
    SWilkins75 Posts: 277 Member
    All you can really do is lose weight slowly like 1-2 lbs a week. Well you could use skin tightening lotions for when you are losing weight, every day so it might help :)
    I need to start doing it. I lost 85 pounds but need to tone up and lose more but scared of the loose skin at the end! I'm tryign to get rid of my stupid "apron" belly....I've always had it so it wasn't from pregnancy, never been pregnant lol.

    Everyone body's different and worse case scenario..their is tummy tuck available.
    85 pounds?! Wow!!! From diet and exercise a lone???!!!
  • Crystalchaos72
    Crystalchaos72 Posts: 531
    I have minimal loose skin thanks to strength training and cardio. It is a case by case basis I think :) I have found the slower (1-2# a week) the body has a chance to 'bounce back' . Good luck!

    DTA: the younger you are the more elasticity your body has, I just turned 40 this year :)
  • morganmay92
    morganmay92 Posts: 78
    All you can really do is lose weight slowly like 1-2 lbs a week. Well you could use skin tightening lotions for when you are losing weight, every day so it might help :)
    I need to start doing it. I lost 85 pounds but need to tone up and lose more but scared of the loose skin at the end! I'm tryign to get rid of my stupid "apron" belly....I've always had it so it wasn't from pregnancy, never been pregnant lol.

    Everyone body's different and worse case scenario..their is tummy tuck available.
    85 pounds?! Wow!!! From diet and exercise a lone???!!!

    LOL yeah, it took nine months. I ate in moderation and worked out, mainly cardio....I didn't do strength training...which is why I'm doing both now...more educated lol. Plus I quite last year on my diet. and exercise...bad choice on my part

    I used to weigh 230 lb.s but got down to 145 lbs. but then before I started dieting I got up to 163 lbs. :( but now I'm 157..4 lbs lol
    I wanna be 115 lbs. For my height since I'm 5'2 " and its not easy....losing weight before was easier!
  • iammegs
    iammegs Posts: 38 Member
    Maybe it's because I don't watch much reality/weight loss TV, but I had NEVER heard of this before and am now terrified. Does it matter how old you are? I've already been doing cardio and strength training, and am hoping it won't be too bad/noticeable since I'm still early 20s...

    I'm really surprised I haven't heard of this before because multiple people in my family have lost a lot of weight... my aunt (married in) lost a LOT of weight quickly (bariatric surgery) over a year but hasn't even mentioned loose skin.
  • RunMyOregonBunsOff
    RunMyOregonBunsOff Posts: 862 Member
    You might check out what foods help improve skin elasticity (sp?) too. I feel like avacado helps my skin to look and feel better but I really haven't done too much homework on the subject yet. Drinking lots of water helps for sure. Also, remember that squishy, jiggley fat is healthier fat than firm fat so part of the skin issues probably comes from the transformation in your fat as well so it will probably get worse before it gets better. I am only (a very short waisted) 5' 2" and my first baby was 10 lbs so I got some major stretch marks and I'm afraid that I may need skin removal surjery because of the that and the 40 lbs that I need to lose. Good uck to us all!
  • sparklelioness
    sparklelioness Posts: 600 Member
    I worry about this too, but as everyone has said, its better than being overweight. I recently got some Spanx (a tightening girdle like thing that flattens your tummy,) and i wonder if i wore that daily while im losing weight, if it would help at all. I might give it a try. Other than that i drink a lot of water and rub my skin with vitamin E oil. My higherst was 262, i'm at 237 now, and I'd like to be 125. I'm 5'2".
  • SWilkins75
    SWilkins75 Posts: 277 Member
    I worry about this too, but as everyone has said, its better than being overweight. I recently got some Spanx (a tightening girdle like thing that flattens your tummy,) and i wonder if i wore that daily while im losing weight, if it would help at all. I might give it a try. Other than that i drink a lot of water and rub my skin with vitamin E oil. My higherst was 262, i'm at 237 now, and I'd like to be 125. I'm 5'2".
    I am 5'2 as well and 235-236lbs!
  • smilesalot1969
    smilesalot1969 Posts: 392
    i used to weigh 284lbs, im now 181 and have gone from a size 26uk to a uk 14. It took me 18months to lose 8 stone and then i stayed at that weight for 10 years before i more recently put a stone back (hence why im here) Perhaps i was lucky but the little bit of loose skin i did get toned up a bit after a while(its not muscle defined but not loose). I do still have a pooch but once ive lost the fat there it might look dfferent. I do have a little bit of sag under my arms but im back on the weight training again and hopefully this last stone should go without looking saggy.
  • kcthatsme
    kcthatsme Posts: 5,136 Member
    I just read this recently, about this topic.

    http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-tighten-loose-skin-after-weight-loss.aspx
  • shorty35565
    shorty35565 Posts: 1,425 Member
    All you can really do is lose weight slowly like 1-2 lbs a week. Well you could use skin tightening lotions for when you are losing weight, every day so it might help :)
    I need to start doing it. I lost 85 pounds but need to tone up and lose more but scared of the loose skin at the end! I'm tryign to get rid of my stupid "apron" belly....I've always had it so it wasn't from pregnancy, never been pregnant lol.

    Everyone body's different and worse case scenario..their is tummy tuck available.

    I think I have an apron belly too. Like it hangs over? I've never had a baby either. I just carried the big majority in my belly. I'm starting to get some loose skin at the bottom of my belly under the belly button. I always wonder if my belly will lift. It has quite a bit from the beginning.
  • Laura8603
    Laura8603 Posts: 590 Member
    Most likely you will have loose skin. Period. Try to accept it or save up for plastics.No cream or magic potions will get rid of it. Neither will exercise. Good shapwear will hide it. The skin is so much better than the excess weight.
  • TXHunny84
    TXHunny84 Posts: 503 Member
    I have loose skin on my inner thighs.... I want it to go!! Ido workout videos and it just sags and hangs there loose. Really NOT attractive....
  • Crying_In_Color
    Crying_In_Color Posts: 246 Member
    I have lost a bit of weight myself and so far am lucky enough not to have sagging skin. I do 30 minutes of cardio a day and usually lose about 4 pounds a week. I suggest toning along with cardio.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    I have lost 125 lbs and am getting a panniculectomy. Surgery date is 8/31/12. It is covered by insurance if it is deemed medically necessary as with mine.
  • kborton1122
    kborton1122 Posts: 914 Member
    I am not to goal yet, but have lost a significant amount and I am shocked that I don't have as much loose skin as I had imagined I would. My belly is a bit flabby, as well as my arms, but it's slowly getting better. I've noticed that those who lose weight super fast usually have more excess skin, though I am clearly not an expert. I believe slow and steady wins the race. Be patient, you will not see results overnight, but over time you will.

    Best of luck! You are well on your way to a healthier lifestyle!
  • Candy_monster
    Candy_monster Posts: 59
    My skin isn't saggy but I've got absolutely tonnes of "stretch marks" from the weight loss (not sure how else to describe them)

    Now if that isn't backwards then I don't know what is :S
  • auntiemsgr8
    auntiemsgr8 Posts: 483 Member
    I can deal with it anyplace but on my arms. UGLY. Think of it as a badge of honor. Thats what I am hoping to do. And a reminder of what you neer want to have to go through again. And I already know I will be haivng braciaplasty. As long as spelling the word incorrectly doesn't prevent me from having it. Will save my pennies from not buying 'bad' foods to help pay for it.
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I am 44 and 5lb away from my goal weight and its taken me just over a year to lose 100 lbs. I have also been obese most of my adult life.

    I would not describe my boobs as pert (but this could also just be age) and I have a bit of loose skin around my lower belly, but nothing I can't cover up with underwear or a bikini. I will not even consider having surgery to lose any loose skin.

    Hope for good genes (thanks mum & dad), keep hydrated and do strength training regularly. Any how, being slim & fit is better than the alternative, even if you do end up with a little loose skin.

    Good luck with hitting your target weight loss.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I just read this recently, about this topic.

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

    Great tips!! The only thing I'd add is to include healthy fats in your diet as well - which is probably why one of the previous posters noted that avocado's seem to help.

    I've definitely seen some tightening as I've lost but still have some loose skin on my upper arms, upper thighs and belly. I'm hoping as I lose the rest of the excess body fat and continue to exercise (including strength training) and keep a healthy diet that this will improve over the next year or two. It does take time, just like the weight loss journey itself!
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    It takes a while, has lots to do with genetics and how long you were overweight, but with time it DOES shrink.
  • jiddu17
    jiddu17 Posts: 187 Member
    I am accepting some of the sagging skin that has already arrived, but I am furious over the skin under my arms. I've been using hand weights HOPING I can at least make it not so bad. The majority of my exercise, up to this point has been running/walking and stationary biking. My legs (skin) look a LOT better than when I lost weight from eating habits alone. My tummy doesn't have a hope in hell. I've been over 200lbs since 1998. I had a baby (though I only gained 11 pounds) and delivered via C-Section. BUT - my panniculusgrading HAS improved (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panniculus) just in the time I've been here. I don't know if it's possible to avoid the sag (it appears some people have done so), but I do believe it's possible to minimize, to an extent. I don't think any method is going to HURT, so if it's suggested, DO IT (water, lotions, spot toning, etc...) Different things work for different people ALWAYS, about EVERYTHING, and these things may NOT help, but it isn't going to hurt to do them, just go into it considering the possibility that you may still be disappointed with your skin results. Then again, you won't know how it would have looked if you had avoided all of those things. Also, I do think adding strength training into your regimen sooner, rather than later, is very important in the attempts to get the least amount of sag possible. I think a lot of us, with over 100 pounds to lose, tend to rely on cardio, because it's working, forgetting the importance of strength training as well. We are so excited to be losing weight, we don't want to change a thing. Once we begin to LIKE exercising, we get comfortable, we have to step out of that comfort zone sooner and change it up if we want to maximize our efforts all around.
  • Onaughmae
    Onaughmae Posts: 873 Member
    Loose skin happens. Of course, I am older (47) and have been overweight for all of my adult life. Am I getting saggy? You betcha :) But it is better than the nearly 80 pounds of fat I was carrying around. I am only about halfway to goal weight now so I am sure I am going to get saggier...but I feel better than I have in years. How well your skin bounces back depends on so many things, how long you have been overweight, your age, genetics....but I think that feeling healthier is way better than staying fat. Besides, if it is too bad there is always the option of plastics.
  • pabisc
    pabisc Posts: 17
    Great article! Thanks for sharing that. In August, I lost 18.8 pounds and started to worry about loose skin. I even looked up information about Biggest Loser contestants and discovered many of them had to have plastic surgery. I know my insurance will refuse to cover that for me and I also know I can't afford to pay for it out of pocket. Some of the tips given I'm already doing (e.g. eating protein rich foods after a workout and drinking more than 2 liters of water a day). I now have more tips to work on putting into my routine to help with the skin's elasticity.

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