Honest Loose Skin Thoughts & Pics

alyssa0061 · September 2016

I am also 5'10"
I also started at almost 400 pounds (397)
I am 105 pounds into my 225+ pound loss

The first thought I had when I read this and looked at your pictures was, I hope my arms look like that when I'm done. In fact, I imagine your photos are as close as I'll get to knowing what I will look like before I get there. It makes me excited and hopeful.

alohajls · September 2016

Thanks for posting this. Congratulations, OP, you've done an amazing job!

I have similar issues. I started at about 325+, and am now about 210, also 5'10". I definitely have more weight to lose, at least 40 pounds. I, too, have been fat all my life and at 45, I have no illusions about a miraculous recovery for my skin.

The most troublesome for me is the Sudden Onset Turkey Neck. SOTN can't be hidden by clothes and it will only get worse the more I lose. I'm very pear shaped, so my already small boobs have shrunk further and my thighs are pretty horrifying--google images of lava cooling, and you'll get a good idea of the rippling effect of my skin. Yep, when I lay down I can see the hip bones I never thought I had...and also that I am laying in a pool of fat and skin.

I am now 5 pounds of sugar in a 10 pound bag!

alyssa0061 wrote: »

The first thought I had when I read this and looked at your pictures was, I hope my arms look like that when I'm done. In fact, I imagine your photos are as close as I'll get to knowing what I will look like before I get there. It makes me excited and hopeful.

Seriously! You look great, OP. We're not too many pounds apart but you look miles better than I do. Very inspiring!

klbrowser · September 2016

I say go for it and wear whatever you like. I wear sleeveless tops even though I have flying squirrel arms, and my exercise shorts reveal some of my upper legs which are no longer large but are now a bit jiggly from loose skin. I figure if people don't like how it looks they can just avert their eyes. I do wear a padded underwire bra in an attempt to get my chest up off my waist, lol, and cover up the rolls in my torso that won't come off no matter what, but that's only because I want to and not because someone thinks I should. I earned what I've got, and wrinkly is better than unhealthy!

nowine4me · September 2016

You are beautiful!

afatpersonwholikesfood · September 2016

salembambi wrote: »

I could never do this wow you are brave

if you were/are single how would/do you go about dating? because i am and my loose skin holds me back from it 100%

p.s the described as melting candle thing is so *kitten* true ugh *sigh*

I admit that I don't have to worry about dating since I'm married, but I imagine the same way I did dating as a very large woman. People find different things attractive, and that's ok. The right person for you will love you as you are. I say that as someone who got married in a size 32 wedding dress. My husband's not a fitness model, but I outweighed him by 150 pounds or so. I do understand how being out in the dating world would add anxiety, though.

You don't have to give all the details on the first date, but at some point, your weight loss is bound to come up. Your value and worth are not defined by the physical. If things get to the point where you're getting naked, a simple, "Hey, weight loss left my body a bit of a mess," should suffice. If they can't handle it, that's not your problem. Let them go with grace and keep your head up. Everyone's body changes eventually, anyway.

xX_PhoenixRising_Xx · September 2016

salembambi wrote: »

I could never do this wow you are brave

if you were/are single how would/do you go about dating? because i am and my loose skin holds me back from it 100%

p.s the described as melting candle thing is so *kitten* true ugh *sigh*

I'd like to answer this too. My mother lost 130lbs in her mid-50s and separated from my father. She was really nervous to go about dating at her age and in her words "looking like a Shar-Pei puppy." But if you're with the right person, it just doesn't matter. She dated quite a few men and has been with her boyfriend for nearly 5 years now. He doesn't care in the slightest.

And to OP: You're awesome! I've gone from 329lbs down to the high 170s and I'm not brave enough to share my loose skin photos. Although I get you, 100%. That silly putty with the stomach thing... yep. I've never tried swirling it like pizza dough, but I'm pretty sure I could! My stomach has been through the wringer, my highest weight was 350 lbs at full term pregnant with twins. I couldn't clasp my hands around my stomach. One simply does not bounce back from that when over the age of 35.

My arms look just like yours, and I wish I had your legs! I got loose skin on my calves FGS! That said, I've been maintaining a few years and it looks somewhat better. I quite happily wear sleeveless tops, but I'm not going near a pair of shorts. No way would I trade the body I'm left with for the one I used to have though. I am fit, healthy and strong, things I could never say before

icemom011 · September 2016

Op, your post is exceptionally inspiring. A little sense of humor is admirable, thank you for posting. So many of us are in the same boat, with similar concerns. Thanks for reminding me that a bit of loose skin isn't the end of the world

newheavensearth · September 2016

Thanks for sharing that post. It was very brave of you. When I saw those pictures, I saw beyond loose skin and saw a strong fit woman who worked hard for her goals.

frankiesgirlie · September 2016

You are an amazing and brave woman. I'm sure your honesty will help many people. I've always loved your posts, but now I'll love them even more because I know there is a strong woman behind them.

Orphia · September 2016

This is why you managed to lose weight.

Because you were honest.

You rock.

LiminalAscendance · September 2016

Informative, honest, and well written (with an engaging and humorous style)...I had to check my URL.

Thanks for balancing the many comments that, although well intentioned, don't address the actual issues that many may face.

And also, thanks for demonstrating, by your example, that we're all a product of the path we've taken, both physically and emotionally.

As another poster mentioned upthread, this should definitely be "stickied," given the frequency of "loose skin" posts.

Very inspiring!

Bonny132 · September 2016

OP thank you for being so brave and sharing with us all. Very inspiring and I love your self confidence.

Alkenny1973 · September 2016

Thanks for posting! Those pics could be me. I never had a body image problem until I saw all the loose skin, but you know what? That's just visual proof of how hard we've worked and how far we've come!

_piaffe · September 2016

A great post. Thank you for sharing your story and perspective - it's inspiring.

Orphia · September 2016

Bump!

mygnsac · September 2016

Boy, can I relate to this one. Thanks for posting this super-inspiring post!

Shana67 · September 2016

SUPER SUPER awesome!! And you started at 400 POUNDS?? Incredible! Excellent! Geez louise sister, you are worthy of every bit of praise that you get.

And, I know it's expensive and frivolous, but what about surgery to remove the excess skin?

afatpersonwholikesfood · September 2016

Shana67 wrote: »

SUPER SUPER awesome!! And you started at 400 POUNDS?? Incredible! Excellent! Geez louise sister, you are worthy of every bit of praise that you get.

And, I know it's expensive and frivolous, but what about surgery to remove the excess skin?

I started at about 390. Have to guess a bit based on past known weights and doctor visits because I didn't have a scale at home at first. I would pursue surgery in the right circumstances. It's in the back of my mind. I would want to lose a little more and maintain for a bit, and then I would want to take my time looking into consultations and financing. Very expensive stuff, though, so it may never be a real possibility.

SCoil123 · September 2016

Thank you for your refreshing honesty and courage.
I dont think I will ever show my lower abs to anyone other than my spouse. After losing 80-90lb the first time I had A LOT of skin but only on the lower half of my tummy. The only thing that has helped are collagen cream and time. Now its not as bad as it was and I hide it with high waisted clothes.

DanerTee · September 2016

Thank you so much for your bravery. You have every reason to be proud of yourself and your body. You're an inspiration and I will keep you in mind as I deal with my own loose skin.

Honest Loose Skin Thoughts & Pics

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