A rather unhappy ending

G

Grraow

New member
I got a story, and then a question. The story is mostly to support the question, but here it goes!

I'm 17 now, and I weigh 198 pounds, but in August of 2004, I weighed 330 pounds! For almost two years now I've been battling, and mostly winning against the weight I gained my entire life. And it really felt great! Everyday I dreamed about being like all the other kids, and I could finally go back to highschool for my senior year without being afraid or ashamed.

I'm 6'2, and everyone says that at my height, 200-ish pounds is completely normal. And you'd think I would be happy, but I think everyone that has lost as much weight as I have, in such a rapid amount of time, knows the one thing I haven't lost. All that damn excess skin. I don't feel normal, or 'skinny', I feel like a monster, almost. In some places(my arms) I'm almost toothpick thin, but on my thighs and that awful area beneath the arms, I have a lot of hanging skin. Not to mention my stomach! I can actually squeeze the skin in a big ball, like it's still fat. People I talk to say it isn't fat anymore, and that I continue my diet at all is 'anorexic' of me.

I wish I knew for sure whether or not I'm done losing weight, or if I actually have hope of getting rid of this stuff. It's really depressing. This body is definately not what I had in mind when I was to finish. Please don't take all this for whining, I am grateful for all the weight I lost, and glad to be healthy. Is this something everyone goes through?

Thanks for replying(if ya do)
 
i think this is actually fairly common for ppl that lose a lot of weight, ive seen dozens of ppl go through loads of programs and come out looking great, but have the arm flab and even tummy flab too. Ive asked a few ppl and they say that the skin gradually reduces and shrinks as it gets used to ur body...but ive also heard it a permanent thing that can only be discarded through surgeries...maybe u could go see ur doctor and ask some questions about the possiblities :) there are lots of ppl with the same problem, so dont stress!:D
 
~~I looked at the charts and it says that 150-190 is a healthy weight for your height~ You could loose a little bit more but not much at all since you say you're already toothpick thin~ really try weight training and bulding some muscles ;)~ everybody tells me that it helps so you won't have that extra skin there. also foods like salmon help tighten your skin also! (great for me b/c I love salmon!!)

But I've been having a really hard time with being satisfied with my body also~ and it's hard to not be depressed sometimes.. but I'm sure with hard work you can learn to be satisfied with yourself and what you've already accomplished! What you've done so far is amazing! =)
 
I would suggest to give your skin a little bit more time to tighten up, because it takes a while for it to readjust to not having to cover 300+lbs of fat anymore. You're young, and chances are the issue will resolve itself given time. I would say, have another good look at yourself after a year or so of maintaining this weight. If you still have all that excess skin, one of the options you can look at is some surgery to have the skin removed. Because surgery like that can create unecessary stress on your body, I want you to leave it as a last resort, because like I said, it'll likely fix itself.

Good luck, and also, great job in losing so much!
 
Not to be the negative one here...BUT, lol, My mom lost alot of weight too. So I can see where you can be "skinny" but have alot of excess skin b/c my mom has that problem. SHe is at a nice weight but can't wear shorts b/c of the excess skin on her legs.

Time may help, but after a while, it may get to the point where you may have to have surgery to get that skin cut off
 
I agree that surgery might be the only way to completely get rid of the hangy skin. I have had 2 kids and I have what I call the Kangaroo pouch on my stomach. It hangs and I hate it but I live with it unless I want a tummy tuck, the skin is very stretch marky:eek: . Good luck though. You should be VERY proud that you are at the weight your are. Maybe try and build some muscle tone, maybe that will help fill out the skin. If not talk to your doctor about other options or if it could tighten up more. Good luck and congrats on winning thne battle! :D
 
what chart says that 150 is a healthy weight for someone who is 6'2"??? You're 17, your skin still has it's youthful elasticity and it will tighten up. All of it? Maybe, maybe not. The point is that you did it. You are healthy and you should be so very proud of yourself.
 
April"135" said:
what chart says that 150 is a healthy weight for someone who is 6'2"???
Click to expand...

yeah~ i was shocked too~ o.o

~b/c my bf is 5'8" and 170 lbs.. he looks like a stick just by that~
 
My friend who was 140kgs/310lbs lost weight down to 82kg/181lbs.She is
5'11' and looks great.She has just had surgery to remove the excess skin from her stomach and hip area.She has to go back for a second operation to do her thigh area.She is in her 40s and was overweight for a lot of years before having the gastric band operation which changed her life.I am so happy for her.
I suggest that you get yourself 100% health cover,I dont know how it works in america.But in australia my friend had a waiting period of 12months.The operation cost $8,000 australian,the health insurance covered $7,100.She had to pay only $900 gap fee.
So sus out a few health insurance companies and what they cover,waiting periods gap fees etc.
I wish you luck and give you congratulations for the great achievement in loosing all the weight.;) :)
 
I'm sorry if I missed something before asking this, are you m or f? If male you are a decent weight. If a girl you could maybe strive to shed a few more l-b's.
 
try lifting heavy weights.. reps of 8-10 3-4 sets per exercise.. muscle can be built faster than you'd think not to mention it also helps putting the calories you eat to good use, and don't get stored, because it takes calories obviously to workout, but also calories to recover, and calories also to build muscle. If you need help with a setup or program I would be happy to.. thats my specialty :)
 
Grraow-

You are 17!!! You are so young, your skin will surely bounce back!


CONGRATS on your 300 pound weight loss!!!
If you still feel bad about yourself consider going to counciling, or starting a lifting program, which will give your tummy, arms and legs a shape. Also, training for an event or a sport can be very motivating and give you confidence. Pick something you like: surfing, basketball, golf, whatever, and try and improve in the sport.
 
Wow, that chart is rather crazy, says my DH is an okay weight at 5ft11in and 140 lbs.. I dont like that chart!! Hes wayyyyyy too skinny!!

Just know that we all go through it and it will get better!!
 
Bounce back...

I notice nobody has commented that there are some skin products that can help your skin's elasticity, too. As young as you are, I imagine your skin will readjust eventually, but I can imagine your anguish right now - especially with the high costs of surgery.

Skin products designed to help elasticity will probably not eliminate the problem, but they may help speed up whatever outcome your skin's already heading toward.
 
I think since you are so young (same age as me) that you can get that skin to tighten over time, because of your age + if you do weight training. It helps alot.
 
Hey! I work as a cosmetician and I wondered if you've ever used any of the firming creams that are available. There are good and bad ones, and different ones work for different people, but some are very good. Elizabeth Arden makes one that is quite good. ROC used to, not sure if they still do. Make sure that you read up on them and get one known to work in your situation. It may not solve the problem but it can improve things. Good luck!
 
What a great job in losing the weight. Sometimes after we gain and lose weight our skin stretch so much it loose it elasticity and will not bounce back ,but because you are so young you may be able to regain muscle and firm up. I suggest you consult a family doctor first and get the doctor advice and the doctor can refer you to a surgery if need . if you approach a surgeon first they my suggest surgery when it may not be necessary...Good luck and keep your head up!!!
 
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