Loose Skin

I started MFP a year and a few days ago at 418 pounds. I've lost 164 lbs & plan to lose 74 or so more pounds. (I haven't been near that weight in almost 30 years, so I don't know for sure at all.)

Before my WL, I got skin rashes under my breasts (large chested + bigger due to amount overweight) & my droopy belly (3 c-section births plus the genetics of where I put on most weight). Now, about 2/3 of the way to my goal weight, the rashes under my breasts happen less often, I think because they're smaller & so less is there to droop. Plus I have a constant hygiene routine because unfortunately, the rashes under my belly are more frequent & worse. I'm a really sweaty person, and that plays a part. As does the fact that I'm *a lot* more active, so sweaty more often & for longer.

Of course I wish I didn't have rashes. And shirts & some pants are starting to have fit issues due to excess, droopy skin on my upper arms & my thighs. But compared to the misery of being really out of shape & heavy - well, there's no comparison. I feel truly alive for the first time in a long time. Even at 254 lbs now, I frequently feel giddy because I feel like I can do anything I want to & my body isn't holding me back any more. It's an incredible feeling!!

I figure that once I'm at goal weight the clothes fitting issue will be more of a pain. And I wouldn't be surprised if my under belly rashes get worse because of how much my belly droops. Who knows, I may have a panniculectomy someday. I fretted about excess skin at a certain point in my WL, too. But there's not much you can do about it at this point- either it's going to happen or it won't. When you get to goal & then 1-3 years later, you'll see how it's really going to be. And in the meantime, there are some pretty spectacular benefits to losing weight, especially as much as I have. I try to focus on those positives & not let the (few, smaller) negatives get me frustrated.

And it's important to remember that unless you have a very large amount to lose like I had, any loose skin issues are going to be cosmetic/bummer level issues. Kinda like the stretch marks from my pregnancies - not a big deal & something that shouldn't affect your life much.

Just remind yourself: the skin doesn't actually look any better when it's taut and filled with fat.

And it can serve as a reminder of the bad habits you don't want to repeat.

I lost 115 after you dieting and am 52, so I have plenty of saggy loose skin. Do I like it? NO! Was the weight loss worth it? YES! I don't have rashes and I can easily hide it with nice clothes.

Can't hide fat.

I had this skin 100 pounds ago, only it was filled with the fat that crushed the life out of me. Now I can slip this saggy old body into a size 10 with ease.

So worth it!