How to tighten loose skin with shoulder problems and 2 back surgeries ?????????

I have lost 31 lbs this year so far and feel really good about it but being 63 and some health / joint problems I don't know of any strength training I can do.

I have loose skin on my neck and the back of my arms. I have been using 5 lb weights hoping to loosen up and go to something heavier but even the 5 lb gets my shoulder hurting , I have Osteoarthritis in my shoulder joint and was hoping a little weight lifting would build up the muscle.

Anyone with same or similar problems ?

Thanks

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,387 Member
    I am also 63 - ya know, the skin doesn't really bounce back very quickly. I lost my 70 pounds ten years ago and I still have some issues on my back.

    I thought osteoarthritis was helped by exercise? Can you have your doctor send you to PT? How about swimming? Swimming works the whole body. I don't think you're going to get anything at all out of five pound weights, but if even that is painful I'd say the next step is physical therapy.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,387 Member
    I like your little cubbie. :)
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    If it makes you feel any better, lifting weight really won't tighten loose skin. It can sometimes give that effect when a person can build enough muscle to fill out loose skin but it doesn't actually tighten it.

    However, that alone is not a reason to stop lifting weights! What are you doing with the weights? As in, which exercises? Have you ever worked with a physical therapist or a specialist to see what exercises might help?
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    The only way I know to tighten loose skin is by surgery. Most of us just have to live with it because insurance won't pay.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Exercise of any type does not tighten loose skin.
  • dennisroc
    dennisroc Posts: 59 Member
    I like your little cubbie. :)

    Thanks , 1947 Piper J3 Cub , my pride and joy lol

  • dennisroc
    dennisroc Posts: 59 Member
    The skins not real loose but most of my weight was in my stomach but also lost in my arms , legs and neck a little :( Have done some therapy but I am in South Korea at this time and some of the Korean docs are hard to communicate with.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    I'm 66, lost 38#, lift heavy for my age/wt and excercise regularly, which has greatly improved my muscle tone and appearance, BUT, despite having generally good skin elasticity due to genetics and a visible 6 pack due to lifting and exercise, I still have some unslightly loose stomach skin.

    There are just some things you can't do anything about - - short of surgery which I would not consider just to tighten my stomach skin which is likely to soon lose what elasticity it still has, as I age further, anyway.