Loose Skin: helpful tips?

Your story got me worried about my future weight loss as I'm menopausal as of last year so I expect crappy elasticity.

I found pop articles about reducing the risk of excess skin. They suggest eating excess protein and taking gelatin (by default is made from beef, if anyone has cultural food restrictions or food sensitivities; if from other animals it will be marked. Same effect regardless of source.) and/or fish oil supplements.

They also say that if you have more than a couple of millimeters raised when you pinch up skin, it means there is still a fat layer there and that if you can get to 20% body fat (women) or 10% body fat (men) the problem may greatly reduce itself.

They also recommend weight lifting. Some sites claim this is recommended not only to plump up your underlying muscle to fill the loose skin more, but also to stimulate subcutaneous collagen production that tacks your skin down to underlying tissue.

Though the articles aimed at prevention, I would imagine these things help if you already have excess skin problems.

Medical sites only discuss surgery. However you must consider a few factors about medical practice--if docs say something is going to work, it has to work and has to have been proven by peer reviewed studies etc. Surgery works to remove the skin problem for all comers over a short period of time with the effect clearly linked to the action. Some of these other methods may work for a small percentage of folk or for folk with a particular genetic make-up, so when they try to study them the effects can be so confounded by other factors that the improvement may not be 'statistically significant' across the general population with widely varying genetics. But, it might work for everyone who has a particular version of gene A a particular version of gene B, so its worth trying in case you are one of those people. Also, something may work fine but there isn't sufficient profit potential in it for anyone to fund the research to prove it.

Anyway, the recommendations of the pop websites seem harmless enough and low-cost enough to try while you consider all these other issues to protect your skin. I'll be trying.

PS-yes, talcum powder causes cancer. I don't think it is legal in the US anymore, but avoid it in the event you come across any.

No to all the powders! They chafe.

This is the wisdom from my post bariatric community.

Wicking fabrics, good.

Spandex keeping it all tucked in, good.

https://www.bodyglide.com

The runner community here have noted that Vaseline works well and is a lot cheaper than the bodyglide.

At home at night keep the area clean and dry.

My sympathies, and I promise you, you are not alone.

1.) YOU ARE A ROCK STAR! Congratulations on your success!

I know EXACTLY what your talking about. On my own journey I can tell you that adding a skin brushing routine before bathing really does help. Using coconut oil after and REALLY massaging your skin helps too. However, nothing beats staying hydrated and trying core specific work outs (I like Hot Hula or Core de Force.) You may also consider taking a biotin supplement (for hair, skin, and nails) for good measure. I use compression wear when I'm active and let everything air out at night. Specifically look for "sweat wicking" boyshorts that go up to or past your belly button and don't be afraid to size up to be comfortable. I don't really have issues with using the bathroom, but I'm not packing myself into clothing either. aka no elastic band lines.

Believe it or not, your skin will retract if you make an effort to take care of it. Consider it well deserved pampering. It's all about being kind to yourself...including your skin. ;-)

I highly doubt I will ever get a doctor approval, I think those cases are for people who have lost even more than I will have and have it hanging to their knees[/quote]


It still might be an option in the future, although I certainly understand waiting until you reach your goal weight. Most companies have requirements that you lose X pounds (sometimes a percentage of body weight), have maintained weight for 6-12 months and have documented problems with sweat/discomfort/rashes. And the docs who do these surgeries request insurance coverage for them all the time, so they'd be able tell you exactly what you need. (I used to work in health insurance.) Just something to think about in the future, if you are even remotely interested.

I know this might sound funny but try pads (kotex) they absorb the sweat and order..u can change them at anytime and dispose of them..it will at least keep u dry and prevent rashes

Ah poor girl!! I know you said you might not be able to afford the skin removal surgery anytime soon, but if it's causing issues perhaps health insurance might cover some of the cost? If not then it's time to start saving! My tummy skin removal was about 12,500 $ and I *kitten* you not was worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY.