LOOSE SKIN

[mdwilliams]

Hi All, Since losing 110Pounds I find that my tummy hangs and i have loose skin, can anyone reccomend an exsersize or cream to help combat this. I do work out 6 times a week and walk alot.
Regards,
Matthew

[future_perfect]

First of all - if you don't mind me asking - how old are you? If you are very young (under 30), keep up the exercise, drink lots of water, take vitamin D & K and with time the skin should regain most or all of its original elasticity. Unfortunately, the older you are, the lesser the skin's ability to repair itself.

There are 2 molecules in the skin - elastin and collagen - that give it its 'spring-back' properties. The older you get, the more these molecules get stretched, degraded and broken down. I remember as a small child marvelling at how fast the skin on the back of my hand snapped back into place when pinched, compared to my granny's skin which stood in a peak long after you'd let it go.

How well loose skin resculpts itself back onto your newly-slim frame will also depend on how much collagen and elastin you've inherently got. Some people are born with loads of it - some people aren't.

Another factor is whether you were an obese child. During childhood the skin is very stretchy, but if you grow up carrying a lot of fat your skin will tend to be naturally baggier, and I'm afraid in this case there's not a lot you can do.

As sick as everyone is of hearing this, it's important to drink gallons of water. Also avoid sun unless you're slathered in sunblock - UVA & UVB rays are responsible for damaging elastin and collagen even more. The sun helps your skin produce Vit D which is important for skin repair, so take supplements. Vitamin C is also a good one - often hard to come by on low-carb diets. Eat loads of supplements.

There are millions of creams on the market that are supposed to help but mostly they are placebos from quack companies and don't really do anything. For an instant, short-lived pickup try haemorrhoid cream (don't laugh, it actually works!) but the results will only be short-lived.

Despite all this, often loose skin is something that simply will not go away for some people. If you were overweight for a long time, it is likely that your skin will be overstretched beyond repair (think about what happens to a spring if you pull it out too far). For these unfortunate souls the only real solution, other than accepting the danglage, is the dreaded S-word.

[kkat55]

Re: LOOSE SKIN

Heidi, this sounds like a great idea even if you don't have loose skin. Thanks for posting it.

[pipee_pl]

Re: LOOSE SKIN

if you are not already doing so, try adding some weight lifting in your exercise. this can help to tighten and tone as well- to a certain extent.

[LC_Dave]

Re: LOOSE SKIN

Mat,

I'm pretty big, but I refuse to admit defeat.

Personally I don't think it's inevitable!

I have heard that if you get your body percentage pretty low, single digits that you go a low way to improving the situation.

So beacially try to get ripped like body builders do. Also be patient this may take a couple of years to snap back.

[Piasabird]

Re: LOOSE SKIN

This thread was started in April of 2005.

According to Matthew's journal, he elected to undergo plastic surgery on the 27th. of October. He had "Abdominoplasty and Lipo and A torax lift" but not without some complications.

His last entry was made on November 27th. and I haven't neard from him since then. I hope he's alright.

Matthew's journal

[LC_Dave]

Re: LOOSE SKIN

This thread was started in April of 2005.

According to Matthew's journal, he elected to undergo plastic surgery on the 27th. of October. He had "Abdominoplasty and Lipo and A torax lift" but not without some complications.

His last entry was made on November 27th. and I haven't neard from him since then. I hope he's alright.

Matthew's journal

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he's okay.

I don't like that talk of 'back on Atkins' here and there....hmmmm

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