Loose skin

Collinsky
Collinsky Posts: 593 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
If you lost a considerable amount of weight, or had belly flab due to pregnancy, and were able to get back in shape with no (or minimal) loose skin, what do you attribute that to?

And I get that some people have bought into the "loose skin = just fat" idea, but unless you personally tightened up your excessive, loose belly skin with steady state cardio, I'm not buying it. And if you did, then please, by all means, share! It doesn't make any sense to me, but I can be open-minded about it.

Thanks!

Replies

  • MochaMixAZ
    MochaMixAZ Posts: 844 Member
    If you search the message boards using the link above for "loose skin" you'll get a ton of thoughts on this.

    My short answer: it just depends. On your age, skin elasticity, how much you've lost, etc.

    For my personal experience, I lost enough that no toning, trimming, or exercise could ever be adequate to make my skin snap back. I carried so much weight the elastic fibers in my skin were shot. After 5 years, I eventually had to have extra skin removed surgically.

    But - it's different for everyone. I do think a small pooch would have better luck toning up then a massive loss and way overstretched skin. I think toning muscles aboslutely helps lift and looks better.... but again, it just depends.
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    I have heard/read many places that abs are made in the kitchen. I have lost 110 pounds, and I still have belly issues. I had three c-sections, and I have that flap that goes over the scar. I also carried my children high, so I have a bit of top belly as well. They both have shrunk considerably, but I don't see them every going away completely without surgery. I lost my weight slowly too, so I can't use that excuse.
  • Collinsky
    Collinsky Posts: 593 Member
    I can kind of tell that even once I've lost the weight and have gotten my abs back, the skin on top is going to be paperthin, wrinkly skin. My mom (also had 5 kids, also hit about the same weight, and then got back down to about 105 with a VLCD) has very wrinkled belly skin, mostly from the pregnancies. I also have that C-section scar thing going on from my last birth. So I know that I probably won't end up with anything "pre-baby" going on in my abs... but I want to do what I can to recoup.

    My husband is about a quarter of the way to losing 100 lbs, and he's concerned about ending up with an "apron".
  • mheightchew
    mheightchew Posts: 334
    I have lost 104 so far and have been doing some kind of strength training since day 1. I have what I call my "belly flap." Attractive, huh? I do lots of core excercises, drink lots of fluids, etc, etc, etc lol Just in case it DOES work lol I know I will continue to lose and tone, but think my belly flap is here to stay unless I have surgery. I have some loose skin around my arms and thighs too. Anyone else suffering with side boob?? lol It's still a lot more attractive than it was and I will take it. Clothes cam cover most of it up, and as long as I don't call it a "belly flap" my husband is fine with it too :) I did recently hear that with some insurances, if you lose over 100 lbs it POSSIBLE to get the removal surgery. It's easier if you had weight loss surgery, but you have to fight a little harder if you did it without it. Any ideas on this?
  • Collinsky
    Collinsky Posts: 593 Member
    LOL I was looking at my side boob area and realizing that it will probably be a lot saggier than my belly even! I agree, I'd rather have the sag than what's going on with me now.
  • missxchelly
    missxchelly Posts: 180
    I haven't begun to lose as much as all of you have, but I need to lose 100 pounds to be at the weight I think I would be perfect at. Anyways, the point of chiming in is that I may just be the only person who would rather be fat then have a bunch of loose skin everywhere )= I mean yeah I want to lose the weight but I can't afford the surgery. Maybe that's something I might just have to save up for I suppose.
  • angp7711
    angp7711 Posts: 324 Member
    I haven't begun to lose as much as all of you have, but I need to lose 100 pounds to be at the weight I think I would be perfect at. Anyways, the point of chiming in is that I may just be the only person who would rather be fat then have a bunch of loose skin everywhere )= I mean yeah I want to lose the weight but I can't afford the surgery. Maybe that's something I might just have to save up for I suppose.
    I think a big part of the excess skin thing is babies on top of being overweight. I have seen peeps who have lost close to 100 but hadn't had babies and there is a huge difference. One thing that show you what you might be left with is you have a lot of stretch marks. If you don't you have better skin elasticity so it won't be as bad

    All that aside. I would rather have my accordion wrinkly belly than all the health problems and lack of fitness that I had before. I have posted a pic of what's left and while it wasn't pretty I can see an overall nice shape coming through. If you search for lose skin you can see the pic that I am talking about :)
  • Smittyinthesun2
    Smittyinthesun2 Posts: 161
    I can tell you if you lose over 100 pounds you will have some loose skin, my brother lost 300 pounds in 18 months and had a truck load of loose skin and he needed an operation to nip and tuck everything or else he jiggled when he walked.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories