Body changes as result of loss?

Snowbird25ca · February 2011

I'm very close to my forever weight, and am really struggling with loose skin and trying to find a bra that fits. The skin has shrunk some, but with the amount of stretch marks I'm not sure it will shrink much more and I am starting to get beyond frustrated with bra shopping.

Has anyone had success with shrinking skin, or is surgery going to be my only option?

MzBug · February 2011

From what I have read it can take 2 years after weight loss for a significant amount of skin to firm up. There have been some things shown on tv shows such ad Dr Oz and The Doctors, as well as news programs about new skin rejuvination techniques that don't involve surgery. You might want to check with a dermatologist/esthetician to see what may be available for your situation.

kimballtracy · February 2011

you can go to jc pennies or victorie secret and get measured for a new bra.

heaventrull · February 2011

Palmer's Cocoa Butter has a skin firming lotion.. I don't know if it works though. I just started using it a couple days ago. I hope you find something that works!

Snowbird25ca · February 2011

I'll have to google Dr. oz, thanks for that tip.

My weight gain had been very fast when it happened with most of it being caused by a medication I had to take, so my skin got big time stretch marks. And since the collagen bonds are broken in so many places, I know that with so many stretch marks there will come a time when the skin is simply unable to shrink anymore... Really though I just want to be able to buy a bra and have it fit comfortably - and to not spend 1.5hrs trying on bras with nothing quite fitting right. *sigh*

you can go to jc pennies or victorie secret and get measured for a new bra.

I was at vic secret yesterday. No help at all. I've had a good bra fitting at a boutique, the problem is that I probably have more skin than actual breast tissue now, and one side is close to 1 cup size bigger than the other to boot... A C cup was too snug and dug in to the skin on the side, a D cup bordering on too big and gaping at the top of the cup - but still not enough side coverage.

melzad94 · February 2011

I have no advice, but wanted to let you know that you are not alone with this predicament. I have exactly the same problem. Loose skin everywhere. C cup to small, D cup to big. It is very frustrating.

hsquared87 · February 2011

I would try a specialty bra store again. VS is made for the average crowd and doesn't work for alot of people Myself included. Also I know that some bra companys make half sizes so you can get a a c and a half . I just can't remember the name brand but I do remember it is a big name.

Meganne1982 · February 2011

I had really fast weight gain before I started losing. It took me less than a year to gain 100 pounds and then 5 years to lose 150. Almost my whole body was covered with stretch marks (still is). My doctor had told me this was an indicator that my skin had been really stretched and so I'd lost elasticity. Long story short, the only way I had to get rid of my excess skin was surgery. Which sucked, but was worth it. The kicker- I did have to pay for it all. My insurance would cover skin removal surgery for extreme weightloss, but stipulated weightloss from gastric bypass. So, since I did it the old fashioned way with diet and exercise, my insurance wouldn't pay, even though I had several doctors petition that it was medically needed, not just cosmetic.
Anyway, I hope your skin situation isn't as severe as mine was.
Good luck to ya!

Texsox · February 2011

Obviously I do not have first hand experience, but wouldn't a medical supply place have bras with two different cup sizes? Pardon my ignorance if that is just too weird of a suggestion.

bloodbank · February 2011

Obviously I do not have first hand experience, but wouldn't a medical supply place have bras with two different cup sizes? Pardon my ignorance if that is just too weird of a suggestion.

I don't know about a medical supply store, but a specialty bra shop that fits mastectomy wear certainly would - well, they would be the same size, fitted to the larger breast, with padding in the smaller side.

2hdesign · February 2011

Definitely see a specialty bra store again... travel a ways if need be. Someone should be able to help you out...

As for the extra skin, start by talking to your doctor about non-surgery options.

Snowbird25ca · February 2011

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. My doctor had commented on my upper arms a few years back before I had lost weight - she said that if I lost the weight that I'd have to have the extra skin surgically removed.

I'm due for a physical so I should just make the appointment and go in and talk to her. I'm hoping that there might be some sort of medical necessity that would make health care cover it - I've had my specialist tell me that because I required the medication that caused the weight gain in order to live, that she's had success in the past with having the excess skin removed after the weight has been lost on the basis of it having been caused by a medical problem... but who knows - I take everything with a grain of salt until I see it for myself...

Meganne - That royally sucks that an insurer would cover if the skin needed to be removed after weight loss due to a gastric bypass. You'd think they'd be glad they didn't have to pay for a bypass or any of the medical conditions that can develop in the years afterwards. I gained about 60lbs in the period of about 6 weeks or so. It was massive and fast, and then I had more weight trickle on over the years after that.

Definitely see a specialty bra store again... travel a ways if need be. Someone should be able to help you out...

As for the extra skin, start by talking to your doctor about non-surgery options.

We have a specialty store that also deals with women who've had mastectomies, and that was actually the next place I was planning on trying. I guess the good thing is I'm in a big city with multiple stores to try.

Thanks again for the thoughts.

Body changes as result of loss?

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