Question for those who have lost over 100lbs ...

I am a little over 100lbs overweight. I'm trying to lose the weight by diet and exercise but I have a question. If you lost your weight by diet and exercise, did you have a lot of loose skin after a big weight loss or does it tend to shrink as you work out and lose weight? I do know from what I have heard that people who lose a lot of weight very quickly (maybe with surgery), tend to have a lot of extra skin, but maybe that's if they lost a lot more than a 100lbs, not sure.

The reason I am asking is because when I lose all this weight, I thought I would treat myself to a little tummy tuck or whatever to get rid of the extra skin if I have it, but I have to save up for it. Or any thoughts on what worked for you or suggestions on what I should do?

So I guess I'm looking for people's experience to see what happened to them.

Replies

  • I've lost 114lbs through diet and exercise and don't have any problems with loose skin.
  • ravenchick
    ravenchick Posts: 345 Member
    I've lost almost 120 pounds since last March and I have a lot of loose skin. I still have about 50 pounds to lose. They say the slower you lose, the less skin you have but at my age, I don't think it would have mattered. It depends on how you're built and how old you are. My daughter who is 24, lost over 60 pounds so far with about another 50 or so to go and she has no loose skin.

    I've also heard that it can take a year or 2 for your skin to fully retract after a big weight loss. So you may want to maintain for a while before you decide whether or not to have surgery.

    Good luck to you!
  • It really depends on the person. There is no way to tell at this time whether you will have loose skin or not. For me the determining factor was the type of exercise I did. Cardio wasn't cutting it for me. I was losing but could tell I wasn't getting the toned look I wanted so I started doing strength training and lifting weights. This made a world of difference. I was alway afraid I was going to need surgery to take care of excess skin but I am actually pretty toned and still toning.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    I have not lost 100 lbs....But I can help you answer this. Honestly it depends on a few main factors:

    genetics
    age
    Amount of time you were overweight
    how fast you lost the weight
    How low bf% you get to
    How long you keep it off

    Most likely you are going to have some extra skin. You are a little bit older so you don't have that on your side. My honest opinion/advice would be to lose the weight and see where you are. keep it off for a year or more and see how the skin reacts. Use that time to save up.....You might find you don't need the surgery after all. Many times people who think they have a ton of loose skin still have too much fat.
  • smithntuck
    smithntuck Posts: 113 Member
    I have lost 135 lbs and it was pretty fast. 100 of it has been since march of 2012. I don't have major loose skin, but still have about 30 lbs to go and I think I may have issues with my belly. I had 3 csections, and have some overhang, I think due to the scars and where they are. A friend of mine lost a good bit of weight and works out all the time, and she has badly hanging skin on her legs and arms. I think it depends on the person. I have just started working out and already have noticed that I am toning up, but not sure what the end results will be like, just hoping for the best!
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    I've lost 115 lbs so far... I've gone from 370 to 255, so I'm still relatively big. I've got quite a bit of loose skin. I lost 150 lbs at another point in my life (and gained back most of it :ohwell: ) and I had quite a bit then as well. I'm doing everything "right"... eating well, exercising, using weights, taking it slow... I think genetics plays a big part.
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    I have not lost 100 lbs....But I can help you answer this. Honestly it depends on a few main factors:

    genetics
    age
    Amount of time you were overweight
    how fast you lost the weight
    How low bf% you get to
    How long you keep it off

    Most likely you are going to have some extra skin. You are a little bit older so you don't have that on your side. My honest opinion/advice would be to lose the weight and see where you are. keep it off for a year or more and see how the skin reacts. Use that time to save up.....You might find you don't need the surgery after all. Many times people who think they have a ton of loose skin still have too much fat.

    EXACTLY RIGHT.
  • tam8374
    tam8374 Posts: 270 Member
    I appreciate the input. I think I will lose the weight as best I can and maintain for a year and see how it goes, those were great ideas. I'm hoping I have good genetics. Most of my weight is in my belly (I gained 70lbs with my last pregnancy and just couldn't lose it). I don't have a lot of weight in my legs or arms, so I know I will have a muffin top for awhile.

    If you have any other suggestions or comments, please feel free to share. Even add me as a friend if you would like.
  • RoadsterGirlie
    RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
    I think it depends on the person, age, genetics, and how long they were overweight.

    I lost 90 lbs, and have no access skin. You would never know I was ever overweight, with the except of some minor stretch marks on my thighs and hips. You wouldn't notice them unless I point them out.

    I was always skinny as a kid and as a teen, and didn't put on weight until I moved out of the house and fell in love with eating out and fattening food. That said, I was overweight for about 13 years, and borderline obese for about 5 or 6 years.

    Best of luck to you on your weight loss journey. Regardless of potential excess skin or stretch marks, you are going to feel so amazing.
  • Vercell
    Vercell Posts: 437 Member
    you lose slowly and workout and add weights in 3 times a week loose skin should not be a issue.
  • i ahve lost 130lbs. I have lose skin but it is not bad. when I hit my goal I am getting a tummy tuck and a boob job anyways.
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    I've lost 130 to date with no loose skin. :smile:

    I think it's fabulous that you've chosen to treat yourself to a tummy tuck(not a bad just in case) proactive consideration on your part.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I have not lost 100 lbs....But I can help you answer this. Honestly it depends on a few main factors:

    genetics
    age
    Amount of time you were overweight
    how fast you lost the weight
    How low bf% you get to
    How long you keep it off

    Most likely you are going to have some extra skin. You are a little bit older so you don't have that on your side. My honest opinion/advice would be to lose the weight and see where you are. keep it off for a year or more and see how the skin reacts. Use that time to save up.....You might find you don't need the surgery after all. Many times people who think they have a ton of loose skin still have too much fat.

    ^^^^This and I have some loose skin but it is much better than tight skin due to fat. I am still working and it is getting better, going to take time and work and do not care if it is ever perfect as long as I am healthy. Good luck
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I am 44 and lost my weight over 18 months. I have some loose skin around my tummy (I was a typical apple shape), but not enough to consider surgery. I have been doing a lot of strength training over the last few months, and that has helped.
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    I have some loose skin on my upper arms and abdomen, but I am not real concerned about it.
    I feel that, at my age, it is more important to have lost the weight. The cosmetic part of it does not bother me in the least. I look 100% better in my clothes than I did. It may have been more of an issue if I were younger. It sounds like you have a healthy view of the issue. Best of luck to you.
  • kborton1122
    kborton1122 Posts: 914 Member
    I have some loose skin on triceps, tummy, and upper thighs. I am almost to goal weight and have been working a lot on toning. I am seeing improvement.

    If you lose at a slower pace, you should not have too much loose skin, maybe a little. As you see I've lost 114 lbs, which has taken me 2 years and 2 months so far, so I've lost at a slower pace. You will just have to see what you are comfortable with once you hit goal and go from there. It takes time with exercise to improve it, I've yet to see if it will go away completely.

    Best of luck!
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    Ive lost over 180 pounds...I lost it very slowly and did weight work the entire time. I do have excess skin mainly on my stomach and thighs. It doesnt affect me except in a cosmetic way....but you can not tell with how I dress. Some people do have issues with it impacting their workouts and day to day activities but I have had no issues like that. I am not planning to have any skin surgery...Im quite happy with where its at (altho i still have another 19 kilos/44 pounds to lose)
  • mem50
    mem50 Posts: 1,384 Member
    Age, genetics, how fast, and how long you have been overweight has a deep impact.

    I have loose skin and most of it is in the belly, butt and thigh area. Don't even want to say what happened to the "girls" I lost my weight over a three year period.

    Not trying to sound horrid but start saving. Besides, if you don't wind up with loose skin you'll have saved enough for a complete new wardrobe and that would be a good thing.
  • bohdanko
    bohdanko Posts: 16 Member
    I agree with the last comment - save the money, and if it turns out you're one of the blessed who has no excess skin, you have a nice little sum saved!

    A request, though, for several who have posted - please stop perpetuating the myth that strength training will prevent loose skin. Strength training tones muscles, not skin. I am losing slowly, and I am strength training. I also have some excess skin and may choose to have surgery. Several others on here have mentioned losing slowly and lifting while losing with excess skin in spite of it all.

    Good on you for losing the weight in any case!
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    You are best to lose it slowly, and do strength training. I have done that and do not struggle much with 'loose' skin. I still have another 20-30lbs to lose, but things are progressing nicely.
  • Heather1899
    Heather1899 Posts: 179 Member
    I started at 312 pounds and I am now 185 so I think I fit into the over 100 category.
    My body shape distributes fat all over. I think that might have an impact in it.
    I would say that maybe I have a little extra skin but I also think it might just be more fat. I am maintaining a weight that is overweight for my height but I didn't want to be ultra skinny. Most people don't even think I am overweight right now. They don't even really believe I weighed over 312 pounds either...
    I have some pics on my profile...
  • fiercekindness
    fiercekindness Posts: 31 Member
    You have gotten a lot of great advice, which I agree with. I've lost 200+ pounds and I agree the slower you go the less skin you'll have but bottom line it depends on your body. And from what I hear if you just give it time and I mean at least a year or more your skin will retract some, and then make your decision. I am 25 and I have some extra skin, and to me it seems like a lot, but in reality it may not be. It can be discouraging and frustrating at times to look at it, but then I just have to really force myself to see it differently. Like a reminder of where I came from and where I don't want to go back to!!! The slower you go the faster you'll get there is what a good friend told me me.
  • lacroyx
    lacroyx Posts: 5,754 Member
    Nearing 200 lbs. lost over the course of 3 years. I have a little bit around my lower belly area. I still have another 90-100 I want to drop. I notice it's shrinking over time.
  • tam8374
    tam8374 Posts: 270 Member
    I must say that you all have had some awesome ideas and great inspirations. I so hope I can stick with this. It's going to be a long journey.

    Thanks everyone.