Loose Skin?

C

concernd

New member
I'm currently trying to cut around my midsection. I have stretchmarks already and kinda flabby skin, I'm worried that once the fat is gone I will have loose skin. I am a very self consious person, and I'm worried that having no fat yet loose hanging down skin will look just as bad if not worse than my stomach does already.

With the way I look now can you guesstimate wether or not I will have loose skin? If I do will body building or at least gaining some muscle help hide it a little? TYVM if anyone is able to answer these questions.
 
You don't say how old you are but there is a good chance your skin will tighten up ok
 
Since you're young, your skin will probably be more likely to go back to normal, but there's really no way for anyone to tell you what will happen either way, unfortunately.
 
I'm also wondering the same thing and have recently asked my DH the same question 'better with or without fat'. But I'm 35 with 3 kids. And my first big bubba stretched out my short torso beyond repair. Let's prove it can look better :)
 
Hi I'm a nutritionist and I have had a lot of success with my clients using the herbal remedy GOTU KOLA - from my knowledge it helps with circulation and brings more oxygen to the area which helps to tighten the skin. Therapeutic dosages apply.
 
First, how old are you? Are you able to weight train? If so, weight train and keep a healthy diet. Make sure you are eating whole foods. Muscle takes a lot of time to build. Be patient. I would start by checking out a weight program to help build strength first. It is important to build a base then worry about looks. Follow a simple 5x5 program. Make sure to include the bench, squat, deadlift, and overhead press. Read up on those lifts and watch youtube videos. Learn the form. All in all, good solid diet making sure you are eating the right amount of calories and weight training will help muscle and fill out the loose skin.
 
I don't think due to weight loss stretchmarks will form.
I have no idea why they form and waiting for solution.
Thanks all.
 
I have heard this question hundreds of times from my clients. One sure fire way of removing loose skin is through abdominoplasty, which may actually be covered by your insurance if your physician notes that it is medically necessary to prevent infection. I have never heard of any creams or ointments or snake oil helping with this.

Here's my professional advice. You said you were self-conscious, and being a former 300+ pounder, I get it, stretch marks, loose skin and all. But why would let loose skin deter you from losing weight? Wouldn't you feel much better about yourself and how you looked after losing weight, even if it was with a shirt on? Don't allow "what if's" to determine your present.

Dedicated to your weight loss success,
Matt
 
Good news;
I was nearly 160 kgs a year ago, now i weight 118 kgs
I have lost it with exercise and diet. Now i have no excessive loose skin (always a little seems to appear, i think its because the process never ended, and i guess if i stay at my final weight for a year, my skin will fit my body)
So, dont give up, do exercise and let your skin sweat. It will recover itself :)

Edit : stretchmarks never go :(
 
In order not to have you flabby skin after weight loss,
You need to exercise bodybuilding, and running for 30 or 40 minutes three times a week at least.
and You must eat much fiber and vegetables for example (Salad - Juice - Boiled vegetables...)
 
No amount of exercise will stop a person who has lost a lot of weight from having loose skin. People have to remember that many people who come to this forum have lost extreme amounts of weight and done excessive amounts of exercise when doing so. They have also been very strict with their nutrition in the areas mentioned and more (water is important for our skin, as is oil). For that matter - I creamed my skin too.

It is simplistic to say that loose skin can be avoided. For many people - it cannot be avoided.

I lost 168 pounds in my big weight loss project - and had definite loose skin at goal weight - even though my body fat percent was classified as being at "fitness" level for a woman of my age.

I know plenty of people who have lost (or are aiming to lose) more weight.

Through forums - I can only think of one person who lost a similar amount to myself who managed to avoid the loose skin problem. Invariant on these boards was a teenager when she did her project and this makes a difference. Genetics makes a difference too.

Exercise - both cardio and ST - and healthy nutrition is good advice for anyone losing weight - regarding many aspects including your skin - but it offers no guarantee regarding avoiding loose skin.

Many people end up having to resort to surgery as that is the only way of dealing with loose skin.

I am sure that other people will remember their childhood physics lessons where they learnt that things like springs bounce back after a load - until they reach their elastic limit. After that has been breached - it is permanently distorted. I am afraid that skin is very similar. Up to a certain point - skin can tighten again and go back to a normal appearance. Exercise helps to build muscles and increased muscle size can fill out any minor bagginess... There is however a limit to how much highly overstretched skin is likely to bounce back and no amount of muscle is going to fill out the bagginess that often remains after a big project.
 
I have done relatively extensive research on this, and sadly, the factors that play a role in whether your skin will go back to "normal" are largely out of your control. Age certainly plays a role, as do your genetics. Exercise will NOT make your skin less flabby, except when you're building fairly large amounts of muscle tissue to fill the space that was previously occupied by fat. That's not an option for people who don't actually want to become more muscular, of course. Especially women usually want to just have a lean body and don't really care much about adding more muscle mass, which is completely understandable.

The two things you can do to help your skin recuperate from heavy weight loss, is to make sure you're well hydrated and to make sure your diet contains healthy fats. The third option is surgery.
 
Matthew Good said:
I have heard this question hundreds of times from my clients. One sure fire way of removing loose skin is through abdominoplasty, which may actually be covered by your insurance if your physician notes that it is medically necessary to prevent infection. I have never heard of any creams or ointments or snake oil helping with this.

Here's my professional advice. You said you were self-conscious, and being a former 300+ pounder, I get it, stretch marks, loose skin and all. But why would let loose skin deter you from losing weight? Wouldn't you feel much better about yourself and how you looked after losing weight, even if it was with a shirt on? Don't allow "what if's" to determine your present.

Dedicated to your weight loss success,
Matt
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Does anyone happen to know if this "abdominoplasty" or excess-skin-removal is covered by medicaid in the US? Will it be covered by the insurance that will take its place in 2014 ("Obama-Care")?
 
I could not say about the US situation - but I strongly suspect that it might help if you suffer from skin infections in the folds of loose skin. I have heard of people in different countries getting a more sympathetic ear if they have a documented history of such things.

I also know that there are a number of people in a number of countries who have been told that they have no chance of such procedures without paying privately. I know that my GP told me in 2009 that I would not get a tummy tuck on the UK NHS. Having said that - I have heard of people who have had them... I think that in the UK it can sometimes depend on things like the attitude of your doctor and the attitude of the local authority that control the regional health finances...
 
I did some research on this recently online and learned that there are different degrees of surgery which would probably have different costs. A full tummy-tuck would include tightening up the abdominal muscles, whereas you can have a mini-tummy tuck that just removes the excess skin. I think if I were going to go through surgery, I would want to have the full deal since either way there is going to be a healing period. But the cost of just the skin removal would be a lot lower if you were paying for it yourself. At my age I think I will just deal with the loose skin and be happy to have the fat gone. I am out to improve my health. The days of looking like a bathing beauty are long gone. LOL

As time goes by, fewer insurance plans in the US are covering this procedure except in the most extreme cases that effect the patient's health. I think Obama-care is going to cover even less than is covered now, unfortunately.
 
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it is just as important what we put on our skin as what we put in our bodies!! water water water!!! proven that water helps with elasticity!!! count how much water you actually drink a day!! you would be surprised and how little you actually get! also think about complexion foods! these are great and filled with antioxidants that you need!! of course a balanced meal plan and exersize is top importance! but dont forget your vitamins and supplements and STAY OUT OF TOO MUCH SUN!!! i see people all the time "tanning" their stretch marks!! BAD IDEA!!! proper skin care nourishment is great as well...get out there do some research get some skin nourishment! i love cocoa butter salve for myself but some are different, and i am a true believe in the vi pak for my vitamins and antioxidants etc, so like i said talk to your physician or do your research! be smart about what you put in your body and what you do to it on the outside!! keep going!! STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE FIRST!!!!!!!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! THEN WORK YOUR WAY OUT!!!!
 
I've done comparatively extensive research on this, and regrettably, the variables that play a part in whether your skin will return to "regular" are mainly out-of your control. Age definitely plays a part, as do your genetics. Exercise won't make the skin less flabby, except when you are constructing pretty substantial quantities of muscle mass to fill the area that was formerly occupied by fat. That is not an alternative for individuals who do not really need to become more muscle, of course. Especially girls generally need to only have a slender body and do not actually care much about adding more muscle mass, that is entirely clear.
 
Edward M. Alvar said:
Exercise won't make the skin less flabby, except when you are constructing pretty substantial quantities of muscle mass to fill the area that was formerly occupied by fat. That is not an alternative for individuals who do not really need to become more muscle, of course. Especially girls generally need to only have a slender body and do not actually care much about adding more muscle mass, that is entirely clear.
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Girls should care about more than just having a slender body. It is important to exercise your muscles, not just get a smaller body. The muscles help to burn more fat and give strength to do everyday activities. And although girls don't want to be muscle bound, it is much more attractive to have a little muscle definition that just to have skin and bones.

I do agree, though, that only those under 30 are going to be able to lose weight without having excess skin. After that your skin loses it's elasticity.
 
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