"Empty" Areas Where Fat Used To Be?

yeah, I know the problem. And the older you get , the worse it gets. It even caused me to put on weight again because it looked so bad. I did some research and it will get better if you are able to maintain the same weight. Also dry brushing helps. Get a good body brush and give yourself a good brushdown like you would brush a horse. Just kidding. More circular motions, I think. Get a good massage from time to time. Take cold showers.

Weight training will help this a lot, but it will take a little time if you did not do any while you were losing weight. Get started on a good program like Strong Curves or New Rules of Lifting, work hard and you will see huge improvements after a few months.

I'm 68 and just lost 20 pounds. I've been lifting for many years, and continued while I was losing. I have no flab as a result of weight loss. It is never too late to start! Good luck!

ETA: if Strong a Lifts is not doing anything for you, try a different program! I suggested two above, but there are lots out there. Many people on here like Strong Lifts, but if you're not seeing results, it's time to switch.

It gets better with time, mine has changed by smoothing out and doesn't look bad. Walking helps.

Does anyone else have this problem? After losing over 40 pounds I don't really have any loose skin. What I have are saggy, flabby areas where the fat used to be. For instance, my legs aren't really that much smaller than they used to be, but they sure are flabbier. So much for being able to look good in a pair of shorts! Same thing with my stomach area. Not bad standing up, but bend over, look down, and die!

I don't picture this situation ever getting better. I look a lot better in clothes than I used to, and I guess I'll have to settle for that.

In that case, the problem is both time - those areas will tighten up some over the next several months - and that you haven't lost enough fat in those areas. I don't know your stats, so can't give advice other than to look into ways to reduce your %BF. Depending on where you are, you might need to lose more weight, you might be better off focusing on a recomposition. It's possible your best avenue would be to start building muscle.

But you don't have to settle if you don't want. Flab can be dealt with through diet and exercise. Much better than loose skin that would require time & likely surgery.

Yeah it's what loose skin is. And it will depend on your age and genetics. I'm a bit tired honestly of hearing people say that doing strength training while you lose will prevent it... because it's not true at all. I did lifting and/or strength training the whole time and I have them on my stomach, upper arms, and inner thighs. My genetics just suck (I also don't heal well and scar easily). It's also worse in the areas where I already had stretch marks. I have a pocket of skin that hangs there when I bend over, it's just lovely.

So anyway... I've noticed a tiny improvement on my stomach in the last 6 months (I've only lost pretty much 3 pounds since then, but I've lost some inches). I don't think it's ever going away though. Same for my 'bat wings'... my triceps are much more defined now than they were 6 months ago, and the bat wings haven't moved.

I think I have something similar... On one leg mid thigh I have a dent where it's firm on the other, I'm guessing I had some fat that's gone??? The skin isn't exactly loose, just I can just feel a big dip there.

It's a bit freaky tbh! Hoping it will sort itself out ...

I had a really bad bruise and have a bit of a dent where it was. I think I lost some muscle there.

This whole post is very confusing to me. I guess I don't know what loose skin looks like or is. I have a couple of flabby areas (upper abdomen and upper arms) after losing 130 lb, but when I read the OP I was like "wat!? That's what loose skin is."

Someone enlighten me. Very confused!

Just loose skin is very thin, like tissue paper, and wrinkly and looks like a deflated balloon. Flabby areas, to me, are where there's loose skin and fat and sort of hang away from the muscles and bones. The skin on my inner thighs is loose skin while the flab hanging from my biceps is fat and skin.

Thanks to you and to others who clarified! I think I get it now.

Yeah it's what loose skin is. And it will depend on your age and genetics. I'm a bit tired honestly of hearing people say that doing strength training while you lose will prevent it... because it's not true at all. I did lifting and/or strength training the whole time and I have them on my stomach, upper arms, and inner thighs. My genetics just suck (I also don't heal well and scar easily). It's also worse in the areas where I already had stretch marks. I have a pocket of skin that hangs there when I bend over, it's just lovely.

So anyway... I've noticed a tiny improvement on my stomach in the last 6 months (I've only lost pretty much 3 pounds since then, but I've lost some inches). I don't think it's ever going away though. Same for my 'bat wings'... my triceps are much more defined now than they were 6 months ago, and the bat wings haven't moved.

This! I have done overarm lifts for 9 months and my biceps look good but the bat wings still flap (though maybe only a breeze rather than a gale!). I walk quite a bit but my upper thighs are not for view, though its good to have a thigh gap of sorts and as for my abdomen .... after three pregnancies in three years (23-26 years ago) and a life time of being overweight it looks weird - it is quite flat when I stand up but when i lean over it parts into two blobs - one to the left, one to the right, and wrinkles over the stretch marks.

BUT I wouldn't trade any of these going for the weight back.

Maybe I can describe it like this: I've had three babies. After the babies came out, the space where they had been was still there. It's the same way with my upper arms and thighs.

OK...this totally confused me.
Do you mean you have 'rectus diastasis'?

ETA: obviously not talking about areas other than abdomen

No. I do not have that. However, the area never really shrunk back to it's former size.

I vote for lifting heavy. If you have areas that are 'flabby' & some that are loose skin, as well as some that may be a combination of the 2, I still say, lift weights.

Heavy weights. Compound movements. What have you got to lose?
I'm sorry I can't be of more help. :ohwell:

I know it sounds glib & over-used as an answer, but that's only because it's true :blushing:
ETA: after I lost 30#'s I looked TERRIBLE in shorts...weight training is changing that for me.

Well, once again I will say that I have been dong that. I can only hope it helps more over time.

I get it.
It takes time.
So have I.
However, I'm now almost to a point where I can consider wearing shorts in public instead of only around the house :huh:
A swim suit is not in the cards for me this summer, much to my disappointment. You'd think that at 126#'s I'd be able to at least wear shorts, but noooo :laugh:

Next year...men will pass out at the sight of me, traffic will stop & small children will explode :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I know this sounds crazy but have you tried dry brushing your skin. I have been doing it off and on and it seems to be helping a little, and it only takes a few minutes. (even if it does not help with the tightening my skin feels amazing!)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/dry-skin-brushing-benefits-cellulite_n_1811708.html

Does anyone else have this problem? After losing over 40 pounds I don't really have any loose skin. What I have are saggy, flabby areas where the fat used to be. For instance, my legs aren't really that much smaller than they used to be, but they sure are flabbier. So much for being able to look good in a pair of shorts! Same thing with my stomach area. Not bad standing up, but bend over, look down, and die!

I don't picture this situation ever getting better. I look a lot better in clothes than I used to, and I guess I'll have to settle for that.

I don't have much of a problem that way. I have used Palmer's Firming Butter with Shea butter, Collagen, Elastin and Vitamin E on a fairly regular basis to help firm and tighten the skin. This lotion is recommended after pregnancy and weight loss. A 315 ml pump bottle cost me about $8 which is quite low in comparison to some of the other lotions I use. Another good lotion to use is Amlactin. It gently exfoliates while moisturizing. Use it first then the Palmer's but the Palmer's will help by itself.

I've also heard that the length of time it takes to tighten up depends on how long it was in the expanded state...

So, since I was overweight for about 35 years, I will be one damn tight 75 year old!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Seriously though, I have a similar issue with my gut. Can almost see my abs when standing, but when I sit down it is a total paunch. Guess I am not too worried about it, seems a small price to pay for wearing clothes 3-4 sizes smaller, losing 100 lbs, being healthier, living longer, etc. :drinker: