having a hard time

braenatesmom99
braenatesmom99 Posts: 1
in Introduce Yourself
Hello, I started using MFP about a month ago but then stopped logging my food for about a week or so and now trying to get back into it. I am a mother of 2 and in nursing school at the moment and just feel like I am always so tired by the time I get home from school and do things with my kids. When I have a free moment, I want to just relax. My goal is to lose 60 pounds by the end of the year because I am beginning to have some health problems. I have excess skin on my abdomen that my doctor has told me will never go away and will get worse as I lose weight. This scares me greatly. He says just the skin weighs about 50 pounds in itself. Has anyone else had this problem and did something other than surgery to help? I'd appreciate any help and support.
Thank you!

Replies

  • april1445
    april1445 Posts: 334
    My old weight watchers leader lost over 100 pounds, and had a tummy tuck, and they took 11 pounds of skin off of her abdomen. I can't imagine that you have 50 pounds of skin there, and I understand the baby belly thing, believe me. Basically, you can get as lean as you can get, and skin only shrinks back so far. It's a bummer.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Once you get used to logging, it's not too big a deal...at least that's been my experience. For the most part, I tend to eat a lot of the same things, so they always pop up in my most recent or frequently used and it's just a matter of click, click, click.

    I sit down in the mornings for 10-15 minutes and pre-log my day...this way I always know right where I am and I don't have to go running to my diary to see if something fits or not. I make occasional adjustments, but not as many as I used to...I'm pretty well set before I even leave the house.
  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Posts: 923 Member
    some people say it will if you lose slowly and exercise. I wish you luck.
  • emily2tx
    emily2tx Posts: 77
    My friend at work had that same problem. About 4 years ago she lost the weight and then as a reward, had the skin removed. She is pleased with the results since she had had the skin for so long. She is now in her mid-fifties. Not sure what to do besides surgery. She told me she tried everything. She loves the sunshine and the pool, so I do believe her.
  • judyrumbold
    judyrumbold Posts: 13
    I would say surgery is the last resort. Firstly diet sensibly -no quick fix diets ever last once you start eating normally again -and exercise enough to burn off the fat. I think you will find that once your tummy muscles have regained their tautness half the bulge has gone too. If you are left with excess skin and I can't believe it is 50 lbs worth then perhaps consider a tummy tuck but you might find you won't need it. I find that good underwear is essential especially bras as if they are fitted right a waist often appears. Good knickers can help hold loose tummies and make trousers look better.

    Keep up with your daily food diary as it trains your brain to recognise portion size. I have a friend who has been doing calorie counting for about 3 months now and she is half the woman she was. She is also doing the 30 day shred and has lost 2 inches from her waist and she is on day 19! She baby bulge has virtually gone and she is 53.

    Good luck
  • Lalasharni
    Lalasharni Posts: 353 Member
    I have a g/f who lost 200lbs with a gastric band. I've never been a fan of this drastic resort to slimness and as a result of her weight loss, she has a lovely body - with her clothes on.
    She has large amounts of loose skin and will need surgery to remove it if she ever wants to feel comfortable in herself. I think this is because the weight was lost so fast and I think this is the answer - partly anyhow.
    Dreastic weight loss does not give the skin time to adjust. MFP's plan of 1-2 lbs a week maximum is by far the best way, combined with exercise to build muscle and fill in the spaces in the body.

    Slow and steady, with the right amount of exercise I am convinced is the right way with the least amount of trauma after weight loss for the body, or the skin.

    BTW the surgery is MAJOR and compression garments are needed afterwards to hold everything together. NOT something that I would want - anyone else?
  • purplerain71
    purplerain71 Posts: 1
    I feel your frustration! I have last 25-30 lbs to reach my goal, it's hardest part for me. But I found one helpful to keep me feeling full and very natural is http://www.gummyowls.com/?vwo=split&gclid=CNOtzsP4gbUCFct7QgodNnAA9w

    Try it. It works for me.

    :smile:
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    I really doubt there is 50lbs of loose skin there.

    You can work at minimizing the amount of loose skin by doing certain things. Lose the weight SLOWLY. Losing slowly gives your skin more time to shrink back. Keep your skin moisturized and use a scrub regularly. Ensure you get enough fat in your diet. Lift HEAVY weights and get more than enough protein. Lifting heavy weights will allow you to retain muscle mass while losing weight. Tighter muscle (and more muscle) helps to pull the skin back in.
  • lmataloni
    lmataloni Posts: 33 Member
    Hmmm...is it possible that your doctor meant the skin on your entire body? Anyway that sounds incredibly wrong and your doctor did you a disservice. Why would he/she focus on some future excess skin when the weight is the important thing to address and more harmful over time. It does not seems like you have a HUGE amount to lose. I fully expect to have a lot of excess skin (over 130 pounds to lose) and if I feel the need for surgery to feel right in my body I am open to that. I won't say it is "routine" but it is pretty common. And of course aim for a slow steady weight loss. Good luck!
  • leeanneowens
    leeanneowens Posts: 319 Member
    As far as logging food is concerned, I leave my laptop in the kitchen and log while I am cooking meals. This way I don't feel like I am using my free time to think about food.

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