Excess Skin...Where Does It (or does it) Go?

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mamabear272
mamabear272 Posts: 268 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am so worried that when I lose weight that I'm just going to have loose skin hanging. I am working out. I always run 3 times a week and usually do an exercise video twice a week for a total of 5 days a week. I'm 5'4.5" and currently weigh 207. My tummy hangs (thanks to having 3 kids). And of course I have a little wobble in the upper arms and legs. I'm not concerned as much about the arms and legs but I'm really worried about my tummy. Also, I know I'll probably lose some of my chest but will the exercising firm those up at all. As I said, 3 kids and all. :grumble:

Just wondering how some of you have come out with skin after a significant weight loss. I'm looking to lose at least another 57 lbs.

Replies

  • amikad
    amikad Posts: 129 Member
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    From what I understand, slow weight loss gives your skin time to shrink. The reason your skin hangs is because there is still fat deposits there. Once the fat shrinks, the skin will have an opportunity to be closer to the muscle. I have noticed with my weight loss that my excess skin should be a lot more than it is, but since I am doing it slowly I can see a better result. Loose skin is one of the reasons I was scared to lose weight, but it is those individual's who had surgery or something that have their skin hang the worst.

    But there is no such thing as spot weight loss so you just have to continue in your diet and exercise until your body decides to shrink the fat in that area...
  • skydiamonds67
    skydiamonds67 Posts: 49 Member
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    Bump
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
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    Lose at a healthy rate, exercise, stay moisturized and drink enough water. No one can predict how much loose skin you will have, seeing as how everyone is different, some people get lucky and have none or very little though.
  • jhardenbergh
    jhardenbergh Posts: 1,035 Member
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    Everyone's a little different, I got the loose skin, but lost all my weight in a year, it has bounced back a little from lifting and drinking a lot of water. It's better than having excess fat. The loose skin isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I have some around the belly and right near my armpits. My beard hides it on my face. I don't think you want to grow a beard though.
  • christina0089
    christina0089 Posts: 709 Member
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    From what I understand, slow weight loss gives your skin time to shrink. The reason your skin hangs is because there is still fat deposits there. Once the fat shrinks, the skin will have an opportunity to be closer to the muscle. I have noticed with my weight loss that my excess skin should be a lot more than it is, but since I am doing it slowly I can see a better result. Loose skin is one of the reasons I was scared to lose weight, but it is those individual's who had surgery or something that have their skin hang the worst.

    But there is no such thing as spot weight loss so you just have to continue in your diet and exercise until your body decides to shrink the fat in that area...

    Good response! Also if you are really worried, invest in a collegen enriched body lotion. It helps with skin elasticity (spelling?) There are all types out there so do your research and find the right one for you. :)
  • vypeters
    vypeters Posts: 475 Member
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    It doesn't. If you ask weight loss specialists and plastic surgeons they will tell you: you're going to have what you're going to have. How fast or slow you lose won't change it, how much you drink won't change it (though being hydrated will improve the appearance).

    The amount of loose skin you have will depend on your genetics/skin type, your age, the amount of weight you lose and how long you've been overweight (the longer it has been stretched the less it will come back).

    There are things you can do to improve the appearance of loose skin. They don't make it go away but they'll each help just a little:

    Strength training - No mystery here, the muscles fill some of the space the fat left behind under your skin
    Hydrating lotions - Moisture puffs your skin just a little but this can help the appearance. Similar to how wrinkle creams work.
    Internal hydration - again, how much you drink doesn't change the amount of loose skin but being hydrated can improve the appearance of the skin. It just only lasts as long as you stay well hydrated.

    I'm fair, 49 and have been obese all my life, a worst case scenario. I have the full sharpei of loose skin. I'm over it. I was fat and unhealthy and couldn't do anything physical without gasping for air, plus I looked horrible in shorts and no-sleeve shirts. Now I'm fit and healthy and can do anything I want, but I still look horrible in shorts and no-sleeve shirts. I'll take the trade off.
  • sarahsmom1
    sarahsmom1 Posts: 1,501 Member
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    age and elasticity also matters
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
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    It doesn't. If you ask weight loss specialists and plastic surgeons they will tell you: you're going to have what you're going to have. How fast or slow you lose won't change it, how much you drink won't change it (though being hydrated will improve the appearance).

    The amount of loose skin you have will depend on your genetics/skin type, your age, the amount of weight you lose and how long you've been overweight (the longer it has been stretched the less it will come back).

    There are things you can do to improve the appearance of loose skin. They don't make it go away but they'll each help just a little:

    Strength training - No mystery here, the muscles fill some of the space the fat left behind under your skin
    Hydrating lotions - Moisture puffs your skin just a little but this can help the appearance. Similar to how wrinkle creams work.
    Internal hydration - again, how much you drink doesn't change the amount of loose skin but being hydrated can improve the appearance of the skin. It just only lasts as long as you stay well hydrated.

    I have the full sharpei of loose skin. I'm over it. I was fat and unhealthy and couldn't do anything physical without gasping for air, plus I looked horrible in shorts and no-sleeve shirts. Now I'm fit and healthy and can do anything I want, but I still look horrible in shorts and no-sleeve shirts. I'll take the trade off.

    Why does every contestant on the Biggest Loser look like a deflated balloon when they're finished losing their weight, then?
  • skydiamonds67
    skydiamonds67 Posts: 49 Member
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    Are there any particular creams/moisturizers that others have used and had any success with?
  • jnchorn
    jnchorn Posts: 250 Member
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    Excess skin is a tough pill to swallow. I have lost 240 pounds from my highest weight and let me tell you it is not pretty. Skin does not grow and shrink like muscle may do and it won't necessarily bounce back BUT the weight loss is totally worth it. I know I will have to have plastic surgery someday for my skin but that is a price that is fair for how much healthier I am now. :)
    :flowerforyou:
  • mlanser08
    mlanser08 Posts: 40 Member
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    Mine still sags with an array of stretchmarksm after 2 kids and 35ish lbs lost. It doesn't get better for ME, but I also had 2 c-sections, so that might be something to hinder the tightening of the skin. Creams and stuff really don't work. When I get down on myself about it, I read this poem:

    A mark for every breath you took

    Every blink, every sleepy yawn.

    One for every time you sucked your thumb,

    Waved hello, closed your eyes and slept in the most perfect darkness.

    One for every time you had the hiccups.

    One for every dream you dreamed within me.

    It isn't very pretty anymore.

    Some may even think it's ugly!

    That's OK, it was your home. It held you until my arms could!

    And for that I will always find something beautiful in it!!!!
  • vypeters
    vypeters Posts: 475 Member
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    [/quote]

    Why does every contestant on the Biggest Loser look like a deflated balloon when they're finished losing their weight, then?
    [/quote]

    Because, as I said in my original post, the loose skin doesn't go away. If you are as obese as they are (I was huge and I wouldn't have qualified for that show) there's just no way, no matter what your age or genetics, that it's going away. But some of them are worse off than others based on those factors.

    I'm not sure what I said in my original post that would contradict them looking like a deflated balloon. I said there's nothing you can do about it, though you can do a few things to make it look better. If they didn't do the strength training, they'd look worse because the skin would be hanging over even less muscle.

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