Question for the ppl who have lost a significant amount of weight already
BaconSan2
Posts: 260 Member
Is there any way to avoid that dreaded melted candle look? I'm talking about excess skin. Even at my small weight loss I am noticing a crepe-ness around the very top of my arms & legs. I know exercise & replacing with muscle will help some but I wouldn't be able to replace 100 lbs with muscle without looking like the minotaur - even if I could do it which given my level of laziness I can not.
Yoga or pilates maybe? I don't want to go the surgery route. I have never had a general anesthetic & I worry at my age I might not wake up.
And there is the other thing - the older you are the less resilency your skin has, right?
Though in the end I would prefer loose skin to toxic fat and I know that the former is much healthier. I also don't expect to be in too many situations where a lot of naked me is showing anyway.
Yoga or pilates maybe? I don't want to go the surgery route. I have never had a general anesthetic & I worry at my age I might not wake up.
And there is the other thing - the older you are the less resilency your skin has, right?
Though in the end I would prefer loose skin to toxic fat and I know that the former is much healthier. I also don't expect to be in too many situations where a lot of naked me is showing anyway.
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I'm 62 and have lost 63 pounds, a third of my previous weight. I've maintained the loss for a couple years. I have "crepey" upper arms and knees. I hoped it would magically go away during maintenance but that hasn't occurred. My consolation is, all-well the vast majority of- my 60+ year old friends have crepey knees and upper arms too. Most of them haven't been on my weight loss trail. I guess I just sort of accept it, apply lotion and wear a bit longer sleeve. The NSV is: my smaller body requires less lotion.
I'm not "poo- pooing" your concern/question though. In for any insights from others!7 -
Wattle is mostly hidden by a need to shave look.
Slight bat wings, lifting at work keeps that under control.
Inner thighs & butt, is only a little less hangy than my
stomach flap
only 75 more pounds to lose
or 
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not without surgery methinks. When I lost weight with surgery all those years ago, I could have had a pannus removal and other tucks but I didn't for money reasons. Now I am thinking maybe it's time - once I'm at a goal I like. But the butters, creams, and crud you slather on? Maybe they will hide some imperfections but won't hide the Shar Pei rolls of skin I have around my thighs....5
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Time very slowly takes care of some of it. To a point.
I've been maintaining for over 6 months, but it's still pulling in slowly. Very slow. Then again, I'm still in my 30s. Late 30s, but it's still pre-menopause so I have that going for me. But I expect to always have loose skin. It's the consequence for the abuse I put my body through for so many years. It DOES improve some though. I did read somewhere that it takes a year to 18 months for the skin to pull in all it's going to once you stop losing. At that point, then you can decide whether or not you can stand it. Mine is staying. I'll never wear a bikini. But a one-piece with a short skirt looks pretty nice. And DH much prefers the deflated me to the Fat Me.
Strength training helps fill that back out with a little muscle instead. But that's only going to do so much as well. But it does help some. It is always good to get more muscle, especially as we age, since we lose a certain amount. Having enough muscle mass helps with our metabolism and resiliency during/after illness. It's just plain good for health, overall.
With surgery I could lose a whole size or more. But it isn't worth it to me. All the money, healing time, potential hiccups... I'll just be happy with what I've got.
I keep hearing things about taking collagen and something called dry-brushing. I've tried neither myself.5 -
A client of mine lost over 100 pounds. She doesn't look saggy in the least. She worn compression clothing while working out. Now, I don't know how much was just good genes and such, but she is mid 40s and looks awesome. She would not wait till her workout clothes were falling off her before buying new ones. I don't know if this helps everyone, but it might be worth a try if your concerned. I'm of the philosophy if it doesn't hurt you, why not?
*Also, her workout clothes were just workout compression, not medical grade compression. I asked her:)*
And if anyone has any other suggestions I would be interested:)2 -
Thanks everyone. RowdysLady - I had a good laugh about Shar Pei rolls. I already have puffy ones. Compression clothing - I wonder why that would help? I don't go to public pools etc. I wouldn't be wearing a small bathing suit at this age, I don't go to the beach except to walk my dog & you are right all of my friends at this age have looked crepey for awhile. I know my DH though he has been incredibly supportive during my all my fat years would prefer me crepey to fat & I would too. I'm a chicken you know what about going in for surgery, both my mom & MIL died because of doctor errors. I would rather be saggy, happy and alive.2
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What @baconslave said
Your body will do a little housecleaning, over time. Lots of time. And it will be limited in how tight it's possible to go. It just depends on how much extra there is...
What can help your body do the work is getting collagen. Lots of it. Bone broth is probably the best way to go.
The Primal Kitchen bars have lots of collagen in them. Even more than a cup of bone broth.
I add collagen to my coffee. I bought it from Bulk Supplements on Amazon. It's bovine collagen. I try to get several teaspoons a day at least. I haven't lost any weight in almost a year but I have gone down a size and a half in pants. I really think it's due to this skin and fat reconstruction.4 -
Eventually you may consider surgical removal of excess skin
It will get in the way and become an irritant.
Not cheap but after two years of weight loss I was glad I did it
It isn't cheap but if you have lost lots of weight, the results are dramatic.3 -
Thanks everyone - I appreciate all the comments. I have a long way even to go until I get there. But I mean why not get a jump on worrying when I can LOL I told my hubby all about it he said "We will deal with it when we get there." Practical guy.3
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If you've been here for a bit you may know that I had plastic surgery, numbers 1 & 2, just 2 & 1/2 weeks ago. It's so worth it imo, but I've lost a total of 160 pounds (over a 6 year period). I had a breast lift, and tummy tuck done (still need a thigh/butt lift, and upper arm fix that will be completed before next summer). I felt this was part of the journey from the beginning, for me! I hate that I abused my body with food and created this problem! I truly do, but I can't change that now. I can only change my future at this point with the choices I'm making today.
Hopefully genetics, and exercise will lessen the effects for you, and that surgical intervention won't be needed! Good luck with your weight loss journey!
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A combination of adding collagen hydrolysate to any recipes you make at home and a combination of strength training and/or cardio exercise is your best bet to naturally combat loose skin.3
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Very funny0
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@KenSmith108 Haaaaaaaaaaaa! That one really made me chuckle.0
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Being male, and having lost the majority of my weight (106 at the moment) over the course of three years helped immensely. The male part only really applies, because it will be much easier for me to fill in the remaining loose skin with lean mass. Unfortunately, women don't have it quite so easy, unless they want to go the anabolic route.
Basically, time, muscular accumulation, and surgery are the only things that do it in for good, and the first two can only accomplish but so much, depending on how much you lose.1 -
They discuss this subject in this Keto Talk episode.
http://ketotalk.com/2016/08/31-fasting-after-alcohol-undereating-varying-blood-sugar-best-time-to-test-ketones-excess-skin/2 -
I found this book on Amazon
Firm Loose Skin: A Guide to Natural and Effective Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Methods
by Melynda Majors (Author)
Haven't lost enough weight to even have any loose skin but I like to have a plan for as many future potential disasters I can think up cuz thats how I roll1 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »They discuss this subject in this Keto Talk episode.
http://ketotalk.com/2016/08/31-fasting-after-alcohol-undereating-varying-blood-sugar-best-time-to-test-ketones-excess-skin/
The excess skin talk starts at 32:42ish.2 -
Why does the collagen hydrolysate have to be so darned expensive?
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I was looking on Amazon & it is way too expensive - thought I would check the US Costco - would it be there with protein powders etc?0
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Sunny_Bunny_ Thanks I listened to that it was encouraging but I wonder how he defines "it's a slow process"? 6 months slow? a year slow? 10 years slow?1
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I've seen others that have had success with combining collagen hydrolysate with dry skin brushing and moisturizing with coconut oil.2
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Check out Bulk Supplements on Amazon.
2.2 pounds for $29
Bulksupplements Pure Hydrolyzed Collagen (Bovine) Powder (1 Kilogram) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015YG2N2C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UihYxbKWGHCTY2 -
Thanks!0
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Found this short but very informative book by someone who lost a lot of weight - an ebook on Amazon
"Firm Loose Skin: A Guide to Natural and Effective Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Methods"
Thanks for the Collagen tip Sunny - I ended up getting Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate
I have also began brushing & lotioning up in advance.
One of the tips other than weight lifting was something from NASA - using the rebounder (remember almost everyone had one in the 80's) anything that uses gravity and makes your skin snap back (of course one has usually to be under 200 pounds to use those rebounders or you one will jump right thru it!). Anyway I am going to do what I can do in advance & then deal with what ever comes - right?!5 -
I still have loose, wrinkly/crepey skin on my belly. I carried twins to full term and I think that will always be there.1
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Stretch marks are forever.
Mine looks like a road map of the Eastern US. Ruined. No bikinis. But I look good in a one-piece. 
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Very interesting information and conversation1
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baconslave wrote: »Stretch marks are forever. Mine looks like a road map of the Eastern US. Ruined. No bikinis. But I look good in a one-piece.
Dr. Berg doesn't think so.... (uh, I mean about the perpetuity of the stretch marks, not your shapeliness in a Catalina!).
He recommends a simple topical treatment every other day for 1-2 months to fade stretch marks, featuring:- Wheat Germ Oil Pearls (for easy application of Vitamin E)
- Coconut Oil/Butter
- Massage Tool to rub oils into stretch marks
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