Lose Skin after 60 Ibs and going

Your stomach doesn't look that bad, I have lost all my weight in the last 11 months and have the same issue. I can't speak for all guys, but that wouldn't bother me. My wife has lost 120 lbs in the same 11 months she has some loose skin, her loose skin bothers her more than me and my loose skin bothers me more than it bothers her. Within the last 3 months I have started working out with a personal trainer to help with the loose skin and improve my strength and core. It has helped, I honestly wouldn't listen to your doctor abou the skin, many factors go into the bounce back of your skin. You look pretty young, you have that going for you. Drink lots of water which what Ihave been told helps a little. You have very minimal loose skin and your young. You look great, don't let anyone tell you differently. I actually went out and bought a Mirdle, I look about 15 lbs lighter with it. I am estimating I have about 20-25 lbs of loose skin. One day when I build up enough courage I will post pics. Kudos to you for posting pics. You have done a great job. My wife was in a depressed mood one night so I shaved circles around my nipples and a nose on my chest and the loose skin area was my mouth. She didn't see it at first and said, "Why did you shave a PEN!S on your chest?". I guess if I put a cigarrette in my belly button she might have got the joke and laughed.

Believe the MFP posts -- you should not be stressing on your mid-section appearance. You are doing amazing!

Your post took me down memory lane . . .

By the time I was your age, I had lost 130 pounds. (At age 15, I weighed 250 pounds.) I was always self-conscious about my loose skin, but my victorious weight loss was a reminder to not sweat the small stuff. (With clothes, my stomach looked flat, but I had a loose 2" flap of skin - "apron." (While laying down on my back, my stomach looked completely flat.) I became a fashionista and learned all the tricks to conceal the flab.

When I was in my late 20s, I had a tummy tuck (along with a breast reduction and lift). Unfortunately, in 1989, I packed on some serious weight after losing my baby sister. By age 35, I weighed 190 pounds. In 1992, in a desparate attempt to save my marriage, I lost 60 pounds.*

In 1995, I was back up to 200 pounds (more family deaths). By age 50, financial and family stress added another 50 pounds. Six months ago, via web surfing, I found MFP -- MFP was my lifesaver. Nine months ago, I started a walking program but wasn't seeing any significant progress. After joining MFP, the weight started dropping off. It's true about weight loss being harder to do as we get older. (The mind is willing, but the body reminds us that we're no longer the spring chickens we once were -- exercising is not as easy as it once was.)

Bottom Line: Loose skin is inevitable. Learn to live with the loose skin or have surgery and deal with the scars.

One thing they don't tell you after having a tummy tuck: Because fat cells are removed along with the extra belly skin, if you gain weight, the extra fat will be more prominent in areas other than your stomach. For me, my upper arms got huge. (I am saving for brachioplasty surgery after I reach my goal weight because no amount of exercise is going to get rid of these bat wings!)

I remember vacationing in the Carribean when I was 23 years old. My thighs were in the best shape ever but still were a wee jiggly. One evening, after completing a three-mile run, my very fit and handsome boyfriend convinced me to stay in my running shorts before taking a tour through the town square. I was shy, but he reassured me that I looked beautiful. We were walking hand-in-hand when a teenage girl slowly approached, rudely staring at my thighs in disbelief. My boyfriend stopped to ask her if something was wrong with her eyes as he placed his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him and planting a kiss on my cheek. The girl was visibly flustered. I felt so loved and protected. I will never forget that moment.

*I had no idea that my thin husband, 1979-1992, was prejudiced against fat people. I never asked and he never told me. He met me when I was 103 pounds and had told me that he thought I was too skinny and would look better with a few extra pounds. He was pleased with my weight at 125-130 pounds. In 1991, AFTER gaining 70 pounds, reaching the 200 mark, he confessed that he was repulsed by my fat body and that he HATED fat people. Before that incident, I never noticed how he avoided being seen with me in public -- never walking by my side, always lagging behind, pretending to be "involved" in something. I guess I was being selectively ignorant. Well, I woke up and divorced him (1992). Ironically, he now has weight issues and his present (and much older) wife lives in fear of gaining weight because of how he treated me.

I share my story in hope that it will be used as a life lesson, for guidance. Life is unpredictable. Losing weight is such hard work and there will be times when life tosses you some really hard knocks. Deal with them, don't drown yourself in food. Don't build walls of fat to protect yourself.. We are no different than people who fall back on old addictions. We kid ourselves when we think we're not hurting ourselves ( . . . "at least I'm not an alcoholic . . . a drug addict . . . a cutter . . . . etc.) My oldest brother is dying and I am preparing myself -- I will not go back to hiding in a shell. I will move forward as he would want.

I am 57 years old and have learned that people of substance do not demean others, no matter the age. If you are truly concerned about being rejected because of your loose skin, be up front about it -- from the get go -- before becoming emotionally invested in a relationship. In other words, weed out the "Shallow Hals" to save yourself some sorrow.

I believe that people who have weight issues should discuss this with would-be partners, early on. Our egos may get bruised should there be rejection, but time heals all wounds. Be patient. There are still some real sweet hearts out there . . . .

As a guy, I would say your stomach looks good.

I would also point out that most guys are much more into what's above and below the stomach than the stomach area itself. :-)

Your ex is an *kitten*. He was doing you a service when he tried breaking up with you over this.
I would trade my tummy for yours in a heart beat.
I read it takes about a year after you are at your goal weigth (maintenance) for your skin to snap back to where it will remain.

Congrats on your journey :0) :flowerforyou: