How to deal with loose skin after weight loss?

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Replies

  • chocklit1da
    chocklit1da Posts: 8
    I also have excessive skin around my knees and right before my knees that's the only thing I am mad about after having gbp. I am scheduled to see a plastic surgeon in January because no matter what I am having the hardest time losing the weight there and everytime someone looks at me thats the first place they look (I get MAD!!). They comment on me having biig thighs but I know I am gonna have biig thighs but not biig knees. I still cant wear shorts or short skirts because Im self concious about that part of my body.
  • GomesDavid
    GomesDavid Posts: 149
    Follow a diet plan that takes calories into account. toning exercises that can help tighten skin...
  • peacemongernc
    peacemongernc Posts: 253 Member
    I talked to my doctor about this last week. She agreed with the weight training and drinking adequate water, but also suggested something I haven't heard anywhere else. She said that eating at least 30% of calories from protein, along with the exercise and lifting, will help the most. She said that if I did these things for a year, once I hit my goal, that we would be able to see how much my skin would repair itself.

    I can't decide if the protein helps in the muscle building or if it helps the skin. She said it helps with skin elasticity. I've never heard this anywhere else. But I figure if I'm going to be lifting heavy anyway, trying to hit 30% protein each day is a reasonable goal, anyway.

    I think losing slowing helps, too.

    I guess I'll see soon!
  • honeyallen
    honeyallen Posts: 13
    Any tips how to tighten the skin faster?

    loosening of the skin after weight loss is a usual phenomena, as the edema or the fat and water accumulation recedes from the tissues. In order to strengthen the muscles and regain the stiffness that you are looking for, its not that easy and you need to go out for work out for couple of hours each single day from now onwards. Especially starting from running for atleast 5 kms. per day followed by stretching, pull ups and crunches. You got to work hard on your body and one thing more, monitor your caffeine and alcohol intake. Add lots of citrus fruits to your diet and be regular in your work out. Just do this and you will experience the changes in your body growing faster day by day.

    All The Best
  • CrusaderSam
    CrusaderSam Posts: 180 Member
    I do situps with 2 90# dumbbells for 30 reps and can plank for 6 mins+. I dont know what my body fat % is but I have a 6 pack. My lose skin is still there. Just be happy its not full. this is my uncropped pic.

    aAGEs.jpg
  • zombilishious
    zombilishious Posts: 1,250 Member
    A high risk pregnancy combined with 6 months of bedrest, weight gain of nearly 100lbs from toxemia during that time, a diastasis (ab muscles ripped) and I was left with HORRIBLE sagging skin. Combine that with breast feeding 3 kids, and there's issues that not even weight training can fix! I am weight training - heavy - and plan on seeing a plastic surgeon as soon as I reach my goal weight to get rid of the rest!
  • demilade
    demilade Posts: 402 Member
    lol, what weight training should I do for saggy boobs?
  • ilija139
    ilija139 Posts: 15
    Thank you everyone!

    ever need anything send me a message , i think I could give you some great advice

    Thanks mate!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Only plastic surgery can remove excess skin. It will tighten some on its own with proper exercise, but once the skin is stretched, it will not ever go back to the way it was.

    I'd have to disagree....I believe yes some people require plastic surgery but not all. I've lost 100 lbs so far and my skin isn't as loose as I thought it would be. I find that it's from lifting more instead of only cardio, but this is only my opinion.

    Your skin actually *does* have the capability of shrinking through exercise and proper nutrition. It may not go back to the way it was when you were a kid, but you are not forever doomed to floppy skin.

    You have to increase your lean body mass, and do your best to eliminate fat, not LBM, when losing weight. Weight training, proper nutrition and hydration will go a long way. Your skin is not a balloon. It sheds itself and grows anew every 6 weeks or so.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I talked to my doctor about this last week. She agreed with the weight training and drinking adequate water, but also suggested something I haven't heard anywhere else. She said that eating at least 30% of calories from protein, along with the exercise and lifting, will help the most. She said that if I did these things for a year, once I hit my goal, that we would be able to see how much my skin would repair itself.

    I can't decide if the protein helps in the muscle building or if it helps the skin. She said it helps with skin elasticity. I've never heard this anywhere else. But I figure if I'm going to be lifting heavy anyway, trying to hit 30% protein each day is a reasonable goal, anyway.

    I think losing slowing helps, too.

    I guess I'll see soon!

    I think your doctor is spot-on. The purpose of 30% protein is to maintain LBM.
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    Only plastic surgery can remove excess skin. It will tighten some on its own with proper exercise, but once the skin is stretched, it will not ever go back to the way it was.

    I'd have to disagree....I believe yes some people require plastic surgery but not all. I've lost 100 lbs so far and my skin isn't as loose as I thought it would be. I find that it's from lifting more instead of only cardio, but this is only my opinion.

    Genetics, age, amount of loss and duration of loss (slow vs rapid) are only a few of the fators affecting the skin's ability to snap back. What may require surgery for one may not for another.

    Personally, I thought my belly flap would never go back where it belongs, especially after six kids and over 100 pound loss after age 40, but surprise, surprise! It is not completely there yet, but it is well on its way with nary a stitch nor slice. It took almost a full year longer than the greatest part of the loss (only about 20 pounds were lost in the past 12 months) but I am good with that :happy:

    I lift and run.
  • matti07
    matti07 Posts: 93 Member
    ...Oh and drink LOTS of water throughout the day - on all days (no less than 64 oz per day ~ I get thrown off when I'm not at work). I was also dehydrated.

    I do, too! I have been having real trouble drinking enough water when I'm not sitting at my work desk! Weird. I mean, I sit at a desk at home sometimes (like now), but it's not the same!

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