worried about sagging skin

[Lizzydoll73]

I need to lose about 100lbs and I am worried about my skin being stretched out from being over weight. I have seen people on extreme makeover who have lost alot of weight and their skin just hangs there. Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening when you take off a large amount of weight? I already have to live with stretch marks from my pregnancies and would really be bummed out if I had a bunch of sagging skin also. Surgery is not an option since we live on a tight budget. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

 

[Nancy]

I worry about that too. I'm hoping if I lose the weight slowly that the skin will get a chance to readjust and not be too bad. Stretch marks I can live with. Saggy skin...no.

 

[kozmo]

Most of those people with the sagging skin ,have had the stomach surgery,which is very shocking to your system,a lot of the people experience hair loss and a host of other problems as well.If you have a weight problem,there are no easy solutions,the stomach surgery is a drastic method with results ,good and bad!

 

[ZerasPride]

Lizzydoll - I can so relate to how you feel! When I first started South Beach about six and a half months ago and realized I needed to lose half my body weight, I was very concerned with any sagging skin that losing 140 pounds would bring. I'm a few pounds away from being half way to my goal and I'm happy to say that sagging skin is not a big problem. I do have a lot of flab under my arms that are a concern and the stretch marks that have appeared on my tummy aren't thrilling me but overall I would have to say that I am very pleased with how I am firming up.

I work out 6 days per week with the FIRM work out system that combines weights and cardio and know that this has helped me tremendously. I also think losing weight slowly but at a steady pace has also helped my skin to spring back.

You can lose that 100 pounds and look and feel great! I think the key besides finding an eating program that you believe in is exercise with strength training for your muscles. Of course, I'm no expert and can only go by my own results but I definitely believe it's possible.

P.S. I notice from you siggie line that we have the same goal weight. Cool! We can do this together!

 

[HairsprayHon]

I agree that the sagging skin problem is much more severe when you lose weight too quickly through surgery or starving yourself. The key is to do it slowly and exercise all along the way. I think strength training is the reason that I have lost more than a third of my body weight and I don't have a sagging skin problem. Even if you would have some sagging skin wouldn't it be worth it-make a list Downside of losing weight--sagging skin. Upside of losing weight---being healthy enough to enjoy activities with your children for many years. The upside list can go on and on, and I think you will agree that it far outweighs the potential of sagging skin.

 

[Baileymouse]

I have had gastric bypass surgery - I'm a year out, lost 136, and yes, I have sagging skin. It's not too bad, but yes, it sags on the arms and the tummy, and the thighs.

Losing weight more slowly might mean that the skin will retract more, but the gastric bypass is not the reason the skin hangs. It hangs because it was stretched out and it has nowhere else to go. It can tighten up somewhat with exercise.

There is a member of my group who has lost 280 lbs - and has more to go. He needs to have plastic surgery because his hanging skin is in the way of his exercising. Mine is loose, and hangs a big, but it's really not a huge deal.

 

[tlgoblue]

Please, Please, Please, don't let sagging skin keep you from trying to lose weight. I have only lost 20 pounds and I have noticed a decided dimpling on my thighs and rear, but most of the time I have clothes on and man do I look good! You will still feel much better about yourself despite any flabby skin you may develop. Keep working on your health and the rest will follow! Good luck and ...

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

PS.
DD just came over to me and pointed out how flabby my upper arms are! LOL!

 

[perfectmatch300]

I, too, share your concern. I don't have to lose quite as much as you - only about 80 lbs total. I'm about 1/2 way there & so far not too much of a problem. My main area of concern is my arms, so I'm doing a lot of exercises to tighten them up as much as possible, along with my abs. I'm really hoping that the exercise along with my slow loss will do the trick for me & I won't have too much of a problem. I won't let it stop me from losing though! I already look & feel so much better that if sagging skin is the price I have to pay, then so be it.
You mentioned watching those Extreme Makeover shows - I find for me that watching them is not a good idea. It gets my head going & I start imagining problems I don't even have yet. I've decided that staying away from those shows is a good idea for me. Maybe for you as well. Just a thought......

 

[LuvTigger]

In addition to the above comments about weight training and toning, I wanted to add something I just heard on the radio. This was female DJ is pretty open in her discussions about weight loss. She is doing South Beach and goes to the gym, and she also suggested getting a body wrap, which she apparently did for the first time today. It's generally used to remove toxins from the body (they have these on the Disney Cruise, btw!), but she also said it's a good way to "tighten up" when you're losing weight.

I would imagine it would be a nice treat to yourself to do this a couple of times on the way to your goal!

 

[Lizzydoll73]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I feel a little better knowing that losing the weight slowly and weight training may help reduce the amount of sagging skin. I was just afraid that plastic surgery was the only thing that could be done and we just can't afford that.

 

[Christine]

I think a lot of the *sagging skin* problems also have to do with your age. You don't say how old you are; however, on some the shows where I've seen the sagging skin, it mainly seems to be on women who are in their late 40s and 50s who have finally decided to lose a lot of weight. Even a thin person will tell you, when you hit 40 (I know) your skin really starts to change and lose its elasticity. Having a huge amount of skin that needs tightening is going to be more difficult to come back than say if you are in your 20s and 30s. I've seen a few young people lose a lot of weight and have no sagging skin problems because the skin is still elastic and and youthful. It bounces back well. Genetics will also play a big role in these. Some people seem to have "thicker" and "heavier" skin than others. But I agree with the other posters, sagging skin is much better than being severely overweight.

 

[karebear1]

Not only age, but the amount of time you've been overweight. If it's only been a few years, I think you have a better chance of it not sagging. But for me- I've been this overweight for at least 18 years. My stomach hangs over even with the yucky fat- so I expect it will really hang when the fat is gone. Do you get what I mean?

 

[SnackyStacky]

Hi Lizzydoll!

I lost 168 pounds, so I feel your skin woes.

There are a few things you can do to lessen the sagginess:

1.) Get in 3 milk products a day, and take a calcium supplement. Calcium aids in skin elasticity, so be sure to get your calcium in.

2.) Tone as much as you can. Do some online research and find exercises that will target your triceps, abs, and thighs.

That's really about all you can do. However, IF you end up with some saggy skin, and you have insurance, don't discount the possibility. It is a long shot, but I have crappy insurance, and they're going to cover my tummy tuck. I have saggy skin in the chest area, and they won't cover that, but they're taking care of the stomach.

The point is, don't let skin worries stop you. I wouldn't trade how I feel for ANYTHING. Some skin is a lot better for me than size 54 jeans, and a gut that wouldn't quit.

 

[Lizzydoll73]

Thank you SnackyStacky! I did not know about calcium helping with elasticity. That is good to know. I do plan on doing weight training to tone up. And I'll will have to look into my insurance if I do end up flabby. Thanks for your tips and congratulations on losing so much weight!

 

[KathyTX]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
It is a long shot, but I have crappy insurance, and they're going to cover my tummy tuck.

Dan, I think I missed that news!!! How TERRIFIC- you really will be like a new man!!!

Do you know when you'll be having it done yet?

 

[disboo]

Lots of good advice has already been given, and I don't really have advice, just my personal story. I have lost 85+ poinds so far, and want to lose 30 - 40 more. I am 49. It seems to me that my saggy spots (tummy and upper thighs) are slowly firming up. I disguise it with clothes that are size 16 instead of size 26-28, and I am really active now. All of that is worth the saggy spots. I don't think I would have the surgery, and there are times when I am a little disappointed in my upper thighs in particular, but I am learning to showcase my (newly) good spots - my jawline and shoulders!

A little saggy skin, if you end up with it, is not as bad as a gfut that doesn't ever suck in!!

Good luck! You're in the right place for support!