I'm Just Curious About The Excess

Thank you for posting this topic! It is a big concern of mine as well. I've lost slowly, almost 80 lbs total, but most recently the last 20 or so have come off. I hate the skin where the fat used to be! Especially under my arms, the bend of my elbow & knees and my cleavage area. I did a little research, and beyond surgery, they suggested a daily body scrub to increase blood flow to accelerate skin production and 2 x daily application of almond oil and/or vitamen E oil. I've gone so far as to use anti-aging serums and creams, which I can tell you is getting expensive. It is also increasing the time it takes me to wash my face at night or get ready in the morning. Does it work? I don't know yet - ask me in 3 months

If those reading this are under the age of 40 and have 50 or more pounds to lose, take my advise and do it NOW. (Those who know me have heard this before). Weight loss is traumatic to your skin. Aging is traumatic to your skin. Don't double the pain and deal with both problems at the same time!

I'll be watching other responses and hope someone has a better answer.

i thought doing crunches tightened the skin so that wouldnt happen????? on stomach

its hard to tell, there are many facts that can effect it - age, height, total weight loss, etc. Whats important is that you keep hydrated and exercise. Also be patient as the "excess" will "reallocate" as my doctor told me and redistribute so what you look like after losing 20 pounds may not reflect what you will look like after you lose 40.

That being said, I think its never something that people should worry about off the bat as its better to have excess skin than excess fat - and this is coming from someone who will need plastic surgery to remove excess skin lol. I'm 5'2 and I was overweight most of my life and held a lot of my fat in my stomach, hence after losing over 100+ pounds I have a LOT of excess skin there, and NO crunches will not help I assure you lol. It may help the ab muscles but until I cut off the skin and excess fat it wont be visable, even my doctor confirmed that :frown: oh well. But despite that (and my wingbat arms, and floppy thighs and boobs lol) I feel better than ever. Plus with clothes I look great and no one can tell that I have excess (well at least not to the extent that it exists).

Edited: however a friend of mine also lost about 100lb and she happily wears 2 piece bathing suits and claims to never exercise lol. Though she is 5'6. So like I said it all depends.

Good Luck!

Strength training. I'm still battling some lower stomach flab/loose skin, but lifting weights has definitely helped alot with firming it up. I still have ways to go, but I'll get there. Patience is key. Good luck

My doctor did advise me that I would have to have surgery to remove excess skin. However, I'm a 3 Biller and when I reach my goal I'll have lost almost 200lbs. So I'm sure that has something to do with it. But I have noticed that weight training has helped tone me up, especially in the upper arms.