Loose Saggy skin and Weight Loss

brookej8688
brookej8688 Posts: 93 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I have a goal of wanting to lose 100lbs. I am terrified of loose or saggy excess skin hanging after I lose the weight. I read up on it and it said that it is mainly in people who lost weight very rapidly, and to use resistance training. Has anyone experienced this (saggy skin)? Is there anything that you would have done differently?

Replies

  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    First of all, bless you for knowing the difference between "loose" and "lose."

    As far as loose skin, a lot of factors play into, like genetics, age, how quickly you lose, etc. If you lose quickly, then it's more likely you'll have loose skin, because the skin won't have had a chance to catch up with your weight loss. Resistance training does help because developed muscle can help fill in that skin a bit.
  • JenniferLynWhatx
    JenniferLynWhatx Posts: 141 Member
    I'm right with you. I'm terrified of saggy skin.

    But I am MORE terrified of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, immobility, sleep apnea, and death.

    Don't let it stop you from putting your health first.
  • tiptoethruthetulips
    tiptoethruthetulips Posts: 3,371 Member
    There was a similar thread today that you may find useful: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/35246722/#Comment_35246722
  • xX_PhoenixRising_Xx
    xX_PhoenixRising_Xx Posts: 623 Member
    I have loose skin, I lost 155 lbs over 2.5 years with heavy lifting most of that time. I've also been maintaining 20 months now, giving the skin time to shrink. I hate to think how much worse it would be if I had lost quicker or without the lifting. While the skin is loose, I also have visible defined muscle and that in itself is worth something to me.

    Problem areas are bat wings, inner thighs and stomach, although I also went to full term with twins while morbidly obese. Stomach really suffered there.

    The loose skin isn't terrifiying. It's actually not as bad as what I was picturing, it is completely manageable. I refuse to cover it up for the most part, other than I won't wear shorts that are too short. And I would take twice the amount of loose skin 100 times over rather than go back to the size I used to be.


  • brookej8688
    brookej8688 Posts: 93 Member
    I am actually terrified of it though. I think if I did have skin as loose as some people i have seen online i would end up gaining weight to fit the skin. It is almost like a mild "phobia" of mine. I am glad to hear from you @xX_PhoenixRising_Xx it makes me feel better knowing that it can shrink, and it can be covered.
  • momoftwins985
    momoftwins985 Posts: 653 Member
    Phoenix, thank you so much for commenting!!! Ah I am so worried about my stomach. I've lost 75 pounds in less than 2 years with a goal to lose a total of 100 and I also had twins when around my heaviest. My stomach is already very wrinkly and it sags over, but the sag has actually gotten better since it's just a fat fold/flap(I cringed while typing that).
  • parfia
    parfia Posts: 184 Member
    My goal is to lose 115 and I've lost 50lbs so far (42lbs of it since joining MFP), aside from a 'mommy tummy' which would have been there regardless, I can't say that I've had much trouble with sagging skin and I've lost 5 dress sizes :smile:
  • Osiris275
    Osiris275 Posts: 228 Member
    I started at 252lbs, goal is 140, I'm at 179 just now. My belly is saggy and loose already, I've lost 72lbs in about 9 months, that seems slow to me, but obviously not! I've been using Neutrogena skin elasticity moisturiser for a few weeks which seems to be helping a bit already.

    I think as well it just takes time, I've read about people whose skin takes a year or two to get back to 'normal' once they reach their goal weight. Everyone is different, some have no loose skin at all!
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    Do you smoke? Consider stopping and eat antioxidant rich foods.
  • brookej8688
    brookej8688 Posts: 93 Member
    I do not smoke, and that is a great idea about antioxidant rich foods. I didn't think that would really play a role in skin. thanks
  • CroneStar
    CroneStar Posts: 21 Member
    I have a lot of weight to lose, 60 plus pounds. I am really worried about having lots of loose skin afterwards too. I keep Googling images of those that have lost a lot of weight and while it is inspiring it is also scary to see some of the hanging skin some have after dramatic weight loss. I'm not going to let it stop me from my goals because I am doing this firstly to be healthier. It is a worry that I have though, too.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    Loss of 80lbs or more will likely result in some loose skin. Genetics, age, how much you have to lose, will all contribute to it or reduction of it. It can take up to 2 years for skin to retract. If it hasn't by then, you have a couple of options: acceptance or surgery.
    Just don't spend any money on scams like lotions, dry brushing, wraps, red laser treatments, etc. since skin is and actual ORGAN of the body and topical stuff like this doesn't reduce actual mass.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
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    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • kdz526
    kdz526 Posts: 210 Member
    Where I have stretch marks I notice the skin is not bouncing back as well. I still have 20lbs to go, but from what I have lost, certain areas are definitely not going to be taunt and smooth. It is what it is. The only way to fix it is to go back in time and not have gained the weight in the first place :)
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I've been rambling on about this a lot lately... But look into consuming gelatin (collagen) everyday. Google "gelatin loose skin". It may give you a helping hand.
  • xX_PhoenixRising_Xx
    xX_PhoenixRising_Xx Posts: 623 Member
    @brookej8688 and @momoftwins985 no problem. If my experience can help then I'm happy to share. My weight at 36+6 with my twins was right around 350 lbs (yikes). The bulk of my weight loss was around 100 lbs in 2013, but the total over 2.5 years from November 2011 to May 2014. I'm maintaining in the low 170s, I'm actually still a little overweight by BMI but I'm wearing a US size 4 and 6 so I'm pretty happy.

    And most people looking at me can't really see the skin, unless I lift up my top and show them my stomach (which just doesn't happen lol). I've looked into skin removal surgery but it seems like such a huge cost, hassle and recovery for something that doesn't really bother me all that much.

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