Tips on how to prevent loose skin

INxFOCUSx2013
INxFOCUSx2013 Posts: 107 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,


For those of you who have lost a significant amount of weight How did you avoid getting loose skin, or if you do have loose skin aside from skin removal, what are you doing to improve your condition. How much weight off would definitely leave you with loose skin. I currently have 73 pds to lose so I would appreciate a heads up on the do's or don't. Thank you in advance have a great day!
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Replies

  • sabrinagracenichols
    sabrinagracenichols Posts: 8
    Ive lost about 75 pounds.... and my skin is not perfect but its prettty close to being normal, but the thing is is I am young so I think my skin has more elasticity than someone older than me would.... so age would be a factor. But you could also try lotions specified for firming... I dont really know how much this would help but its worth a try! I have seen a ton of firming lotions at sephora! Along with that, strengthening exercises would also be beneficial! I did situps, squats, etc. about 3-4 times a week.
  • sabrinagracenichols
    sabrinagracenichols Posts: 8
    Ive lost about 75 pounds.... and my skin is not perfect but its prettty close to being normal, but the thing is is I am young so I think my skin has more elasticity than someone older than me would.... so age would be a factor. But you could also try lotions specified for firming... I dont really know how much this would help but its worth a try! I have seen a ton of firming lotions at sephora! Along with that, strengthening exercises would also be beneficial! I did situps, squats, etc. about 3-4 times a week.
  • sandy_gee
    sandy_gee Posts: 372 Member
    Water water water water water! Adding heavy lifting to your routine, and of course as the above poster mentioned, and those dirty genetics!

    edit : spelling fail
  • xampx
    xampx Posts: 323 Member
    Lose it slowly, lift weights, keep hydrated.

    I have lost 57lbs and everything is shrinking back in except my boobs which are going to end up a lot lower than they used to be :(

    Oh and firming lotions - I dont know how much they actually work but I feel better for using them :)
  • karllundy
    karllundy Posts: 1,490 Member
    Bump for tips.
  • OhLeita
    OhLeita Posts: 99 Member
    I'm 52 years old and even my skin has started to shape up as my doctor said it would, but takes a long time. I have a lightly weighted Hula Hoop I use daily (well, almost) and it's been a big help. Sitting and standing straight and holding in also helps.

    I wish I'd used compression garments (Spanx and such) in the beginning.

    If you've had any kids and it took a while for your midsection to tighten back up, chance are it'll be the same with weight loss. But, that's a good problem to have. You're getting healthy!

    I've always wondered if sleeping on my back would help as well.

    Squats helped my legs and butt. Upper arms have been harder, the skin there seems less resilient.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    remember it can take up to two years for your skin to fully retract most of it I'm afraid is down to genetics. speed of loss will make no difference if your skin is able to retract it will if you lose your weight fast or slow
  • INxFOCUSx2013
    INxFOCUSx2013 Posts: 107 Member
    Ah! Yes of course age & skin elasticity would play a major role, but what if one was to lose it slowly( 1-2 pds a week) and lift weights in the process would that help or we go back to square one.

    I have watched these shows like the biggest loser & extreme weight loss but these people drop 2 digit numbers in the begining so we can expect the loose skin there.

    Just want to see all the possibilites I don't want to come out of one problem to get into a bigger one. Thanks for the replys.
  • Tessyloowhoo
    Tessyloowhoo Posts: 504
    I hear if it doesn't put the lotion on its skin... it gets the hose again...
  • INxFOCUSx2013
    INxFOCUSx2013 Posts: 107 Member
    remember it can take up to two years for your skin to fully retract most of it I'm afraid is down to genetics. speed of loss will make no difference if your skin is able to retract it will if you lose your weight fast or slow
    thanks I posted before I saw your comment. good to know.
  • Jessica_D_Shadow
    Jessica_D_Shadow Posts: 138 Member
    I was told strength training while losing the weight. It has been helping me a lot. Last time I lost weight my tummy hung down. This time, it's not hanging!!! I do core exercises & strength for my arms, squats for my legs. Squats are giving my thighs amazing results, I'm very happy with them.
  • shannonahenderson
    shannonahenderson Posts: 63
    Hydrate!!!!!
    Moisturize!!!!
    Strength training/Weight lifting!!!!
    PATIENCE!!!!!!

    Make sure you target those specific areas (i.e. push ups for your triceps, sit ups & planks for your tummy, squats for your thighs, etc)

    Hope this helps....I had the same concerns when I first started and this is the advice I was given. Patience and consistency are both key.
  • INxFOCUSx2013
    INxFOCUSx2013 Posts: 107 Member
    @ Jessica So happy for you!
    @ Shannona thank you so much!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    The best way to prevent loose skin is not to get fat and then try and lose weight to quickly.
  • monjacq1964
    monjacq1964 Posts: 291 Member
    if you have stretch marks, you will likely have loose skin after your loss. That tissue is damaged, and will not return to its original condition. there may be some "spring back" but not much.

    Keep hydrated, do strength in the problem areas (eg triceps). And don't get discouraged, if you do have loose skin that sticks around.
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    Losing slowly, staying hydrated, and giving it time.

    My stomach looks like melting skin... One of the "hazards" of losing weight, I guess.. haha It'll look better eventually!
  • monjacq1964
    monjacq1964 Posts: 291 Member
    The best way to prevent loose skin is not to get fat and then try and lose weight to quickly.

    where were you 25 yrs ago???thanks, TIPS>
  • INxFOCUSx2013
    INxFOCUSx2013 Posts: 107 Member
    Bump for tips.
    thanks for the bump!
  • ptsmiles
    ptsmiles Posts: 511 Member
    Ahahaha! Great movie!
    I hear if it doesn't put the lotion on its skin... it gets the hose again...
  • Jessica_D_Shadow
    Jessica_D_Shadow Posts: 138 Member
    if you have stretch marks, you will likely have loose skin after your loss. That tissue is damaged, and will not return to its original condition. there may be some "spring back" but not much.

    Keep hydrated, do strength in the problem areas (eg triceps). And don't get discouraged, if you do have loose skin that sticks around.

    I've had two children. Both had extra amniotic fluid. My family thought I was having triplets. O_O My skin seems to be pulling back just fine. I'm sure it won't be gorgeous when it's flat since the stretch marks will still be visible, but it isn't sagging. At the moment at least. I have hope for my overly stretched marked tummy!
  • mdhummel
    mdhummel Posts: 201 Member
    Lifting helps wonders with the loose skin. When I lost 25 lbs. two years ago through diet only I was starting to look like a deflated balloon until I hit the weights. I've been balancing weights with cardio this go around and haven't noticed the deflated balloon look.

    Now my concern is stretch marks. I have tried Bio Oil, but haven't noticed results.
  • _G4BR13L_
    _G4BR13L_ Posts: 131 Member
    I hear if it doesn't put the lotion on its skin... it gets the hose again...

    LMAO!!!!!
  • leannerae40
    leannerae40 Posts: 200 Member
    I hear if it doesn't put the lotion on its skin... it gets the hose again...

    ^^This^^ is hilarious.

    My personal trainer stated that a lot of it is about weight training. It can really help if you start EARLY. Lift those weights...and good luck. Regardless of loose skin or not, train and eat right and get healthy on the inside...the outside will catch up!!
  • GGDaddy
    GGDaddy Posts: 289 Member
    I hear if it doesn't put the lotion on its skin... it gets the hose again...

    Anybody have advice for good fava bean recipes?
  • SonicaBE
    SonicaBE Posts: 151 Member
    water, dryskin brushing, moisterize with a good extra virgin olive oil...and heavy weights...
  • Tessyloowhoo
    Tessyloowhoo Posts: 504
    Fava beans taste great with a bit of sauteed coronary artery and of course has to be eaten using the skull of the victim as a bowl...
  • LeanneGoingThin
    LeanneGoingThin Posts: 215 Member
    I don't think you can prevent it that much. Maybe it helps a bit to slow down your weight loss, but overall I think real loose and stretched skin won't shrink back to the way it was before. That is why a lot of people resort to surgery once they are near or at their goal weight.
  • nattatalie
    nattatalie Posts: 6
    I'm actually trying to figure out the same thing. I'm 21, and I have always had a stomach "pooch", as everyone else in my family does. I've lost 48 lbs since March 2013 and I've noticed that my skin is sagging a bit in that area. I've also noticed that my stretch marks are still very visible even though they've shrunk down a lot. I plan on getting some sort of cocoa butter lotion or a lotion designed to help with stretch marks. It's worth a shot, and I'm hoping it will just make that area look better and that the skin will retract as time goes on as well.

    Best of luck!
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Bump
  • MzPix
    MzPix Posts: 177 Member
    No one has mentioned self-love and supportive loved ones.
    It doesn't do anything for the loose skin itself, but it does wonders for how one lives with it.

    As my tummy gets more flabby, we are all quick to remind ourselves it is because I am becoming healthier and stronger.

    :flowerforyou:

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