Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

[Waterbabe_Helena]

THIGH AND STOMACH WORRIES

My gargantuan thighs are really huge, ugly and misshapen. They really are a massive burden to me. 34 inches around.

My stomach has shrunk from being bloated, but has an overhang that folds over itself just above my pubic area.

I fear that I am going to be left with a wrinkled, deflated-balloon-style folds of loose skin all over my thighs and stomach.

At present, I don't mind being seen in a swimsuit or naked by anyone. I am 319 pounds, but what's underneath the skin is all pretty solid. If I were to lose ten stone (140 pounds) for example, I could look WORSE than I do now, with folds of wrinkled, saggy, deflated flesh flapping down on my legs and stomach?

I am 48. Will my skin ever spring back into place?

[LowCarbLara]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

I don't have as much to lose as you, but I've been wondering the same thing.

I read this article, though, which was quite interesting: http://www.bodyfatguide.com/LooseSkin.htm

[Chris]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

Twice, as an adult, I've lost down to goal -- the first time just over 50 pounds, and the second was around 60. With the first loss, I didn't notice any loose skin, at all (I was in my early twenties); but, with the second (now in my early forties) I definitely had loose skin on my abdomen. I maintained the weight loss for about three years, however, and by the end of the first year the skin had seemed to tighten on its own. So, in my case, at least, the problem went away, although it was a very slow process!

That's a fascinating article, Lara. I've never read that before, and it's certainly encouraging. Thanks for sharing it!

[cleochatra]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

I plan to be Rocky the flying squirrel. I have no doubt I'll need skin removed after I complete losing 200 pounds. Seriously, yhe thought of excess skin used to so freak out the perfectionist in me that I'd sabotage myself.

But you know what? One time 2big said something that totally clicked for me. She said, "It's better to have hanging skin than what was filling that skin."

And I was like OMG! That is so true!

So just remember that: empty skin is so much better than skin chock full o adipose.

[Kent]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

Truth is without treatment you might have a little, but the other truth is that after losing over 211 pounds I have much less than I would have first thought. (Here is some photographic evidence) I understand the anxiety (had it myself), but there are bigger things to worry about than skin. Just keep working out and eating right, and you might have a lot less to worry about than you think you have or none at all.

[kacey1]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

I was at the dermatologist today and jokingly told her that when I finish losing my weight I'm going to go get some nips and tucks... and a face lift! She told me... After you have been at your goal weight for 2 years, your body will start releasing fat cells. If you have liposuction, and you gain back any weight at all - it will not come back in the places you had liposuction. Instead it will come back in strange places. The back of your neck and top of your back, the top of your back, your knees, etc. So she rather strongly emphasised to me that it was VERY important to get to your goal weight and stay there at least 2 years before deciding to do anything. And she also pointed out that losing all the fat you can under the skin will eventually tighten the skin - she's seen it and she knows it does happen - but it takes patience. All of this from a dermatologist...

Jeez... I was just joking with her... But what a lecture I got...

[sallyann]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

After such a loss, realistically you should expect some sagging skin, once you have stablised at a weight you are happy with and if you are unhappy with the skin you could have it removed. However you would have to really balance up the major surgery and very long and painful recovery Vs the extra skin. It will be a question of wait and see how you feel. Firstly, just take one step at a time and keep to you weight loss plan - this is by all means the healthiest way forward.

s
xxx

[Chris]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

After such a loss, realistically you should expect some sagging skin, once you have stablised at a weight you are happy with and if you are unhappy with the skin you could have it removed. However you would have to really balance up the major surgery and very long and painful recovery Vs the extra skin. It will be a question of wait and see how you feel. Firstly, just take one step at a time and keep to you weight loss plan - this is by all means the healthiest way forward.

s
xxx

And, although they may fade, to some extent, with time, don't forget the scars, should you choose the surgical route.

[cleochatra]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

A lady I know from another site had the skin removal surgery and then put the weight back on. Apparently it looked terrible afterwards. So if the weight can stay off for about a year, this is a better thing than rushing right in for a surgery, especially if the lifestyle of keeping the weight off has not fomented itself.

[13_jane]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

Helena, apparently our National Health service will help with operations such as excess skin and other cosmetic surgeries due to weight loss. I dont know if it's another "postcode lottery" type of thing though with local health authorities!! Check with your GP.

My friend has lost a couple of stone and her stomach wont go taught from having children - so she swears by her "magic knickers" from M&S. They do a really good range of undergarments to pull you in - so maybe look into getting some of them.

jane x

[G-Mom]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

I so hear you on the saggy skin, Helena. I hear that the slower you lose the weight the better it will be. Just think of the folks who get GBS, they lose so fast that their skin has no time to shrink back at all. I have lost my weight slowly and much of my skin has shrunk back. Don't fear this skin thing, it will be ok.

[Momtofour]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

I have the hanging stomach skin too. I don't think it is going to go away. A good thing to remember is: When wearing clothes nobody can tell I have a bunch of skin hanging. My stomach just doesn't look flat in jeans. I'm ok with that. I would love a tummy tuck to remove the skin but it just isn't in the budget. I am much happier with saggy skin that I was with fat filled skin.

[G-Mom]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

I would love a tummy tuck to remove the skin but it just isn't in the budget. I am much happier with saggy skin that I was with fat filled skin.

I am not really a proponent of this elective surgery. It is too risky I think and quite vain, unless your skin flap hangs down to your knees and you get infections under it. I would also always feel guilty about using so much money on vanity surgery when I could re-carpet my entire house with that money (and I have a big house.)

[Momtofour]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

It is too risky I think and quite vain,

I agree with the risky part. Being a Mom that would be scary to risk them being orphans. I wouldn't be doing it out of vanity at all though. It isn't that I would like to look better in my jeans. LOL It is more from the stand point that it hurts sometimes, it gets sweat build up underneath which results in infections, and it is just uncomfortable. I also have a hernia at my belly button and I have always wanted to know if they would do a tummy tuck while repairing my hernia. It isn't bad enough for surgery yet, but I will need surgery eventually.

[Chris]

Re: Swathes Of Loose Skin? Advice Please

My gosh, I can't believe that I actually disagree with G-Mom about something. This may be the first.

Personally, I think that if cosmetic surgery, in whatever form, helps someone to feel better about who they are, and that they are willing to accept the risks involved, that it just may be the right thing for them. After all, many of you, like G-Mom, were blessed with an attractive, desirable appearance. Many other folks were not so lucky, and have had to live with a poor self-image all their lives. Again, I feel if that can be changed, they're willing to take the risks, and can afford to do so, then more power to them!