Fear of flabby skin

kmm7309
kmm7309 Posts: 802 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I don't have the cash to get a skin-removal surgery done, but I know I'm a big girl and I'm afraid that I'll lose this weight and hate myself for being skinny with folds of skin hanging everywhere. My friend's mom got gastric-bypass (I'm not doing that myself) and she's a size 0 and cute but her belly is full of skin now! Is there any way to avoid that happening?

Replies

  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    You should exercise while you're losing weight to help avoid this issue. Also, do it for your health. Everything else will fall in line.
  • vayax
    vayax Posts: 152 Member
    yes, slow weight loss and exercise.
  • lbewley3
    lbewley3 Posts: 96 Member
    Depends how old you are mostly and how long you have been overweight. The older you are, the more likely your skin will not rebound. I am 51 and have lost 150+ lbs over 1.5 years, averaging 2 lbs/week. My skin is horrible - I am going to have to save up for surgery or just live with it. Dreading summer - it's easy to cover up in winter. But I could probably lose 10 lbs of skin and have to buy a size up just to account for it. My doctor said surgery is the only way. So if you're young, don't wait - lose it now!
  • curvykent
    curvykent Posts: 140 Member
    I have feared the same thing. Exercise. Plain and simple, that is the number one ingredient to toning your flab. I have seen incredible turn arounds so it is possible. I know I will never wear a two peice ever again because of my flab and stretch marks, but I will wear a swimsuit again, I will wear a dress, and I will aim for a flat tummy. I will do all of these things as a result of exercise and healthy dieting. I was worried about it in the beginning but now that I am down 35 pounds and seeing my body go through amazing changes, I have faith that I will have the body I want. It won't be perfect, but not many people are fortunate enough to have a perfect body. And one more thing, love yourself. I had to love myself before any of this stuff worked.
  • helenamonks
    helenamonks Posts: 176 Member
    I've been overweight my whole life and my skin is not what you would call elastic, it is very streched out and has been for a long time. I'm only 22 so I've been told that it will shrink back, but I've been exercising like crazy to do all I can to make it shrink! :)
  • lbewley3
    lbewley3 Posts: 96 Member
    Exercise is important but it won't shrink your skin. I burn 4000 calories a week doing cardio and I also do a couple hours of weight training each week. I have great biceps and triceps, rock hard, but it doesn't help the hanging skin on my underarms. My quads and hamstrings are well defined too, but when I stand, gravity pulls the extra skin down around my knees. Don't want to discourage anyone and I'd much rather be like this than 160lbs heavier, but don't want anyone to have false hope either. It still comes down to age, genetics, and how long and how far your skin has been stretched.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    The OP is 21, she still has a chance to have her skin pop back into place. It will take time.
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