New FAQ - Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Watching the scale inch down week after week can be frustrating, but there are reasons why fast weight loss isn't always recommended. For one, you often end up losing muscle along with fat. Preserving muscle mass is essential for keeping the metabolism going and, of course, keeping the body, bones and connective tissue strong. Another thing that happens when you lose weight quickly, especially with weight loss surgery, is extra skin that may be difficult to get rid of.
Loose skin isn't just about rapid weight loss, of course. Your age, genes and skin elasticity also determine how your skin responds, even with slow weight loss. And, of course, pregnancy can leave some women with extra skin as well. Whatever your situation, if you're dealing with this issue your biggest question might be: "How do I get rid of it?" My latest FAQ about loose skin talks about the factors that can affect your skin and what you can do about it.
If you've dealt with this problem, leave a comment and tell us your experience.
Comments
I agree with the points made in the article. However they left out another situation. I was left with stretched out skin that has not bounced back after my pregnancy with my twins. Granted it was a rapid weight gain – 60 pounds in 8 months, plus with my 5′ height – my belly had no where to go but “out”. I lost all the excess weight gradually, and do exercise regularly – but the skin over my abdomen still sags like an empty pouch.
years ago I was really overweight, flash forward to now and I am at a healthy weight but I do have some sagging that drives me insane, coupled with the fact that I have been through menopause, which helps you to lose elasticity..I have noticed a difference in my thighs, thinner and a lighter tighter, but it is my stomach and the god awful “pooch”…
I lost over 120 pounds several years ago at a slow rate…2 pounds per week at first, only 1 pound per week towards the end, all through diet and exercise. What I was left with…what I call a “kangaroo pouch” of excess skin. So losing slowly does not prevent this from happening, it really has to do with those other factors such as genetics, your personal elasticity, etc. I decided to get a tummy tuck after my weight stabilized and I couldn’t be happier.
Some of my friend had the same problem, but he’s quite happy with his achievement so far
I lost 65 lbs. quickly. Gained it back quickly and again lost it. My stomach was lumpy, bumpy — and what’s the point in being thin if you can’t show your body…so I found a plastic surgeon who gave me credit on a tummy tuck and I pay on time (just like paying for a car). I’m THRILLED with the results! I’ve worked out all my life; nothing makes this extra skin go away. I’m too young to live with it and not enjoy life. I’d rather pay on time and have a FLAT stomach. Try it ladies and gentleman! It’s work the $$$$!
I lost 125# in about 16 months. I am over 50 and at the top range weighed over 300#’s. I wouldn’t consider surgery to remove the extra skin which I don’t think all things considered is too bad. Most places firmed up as well as could be expected (ie my neck). If I was 25 I might consider surgery. I’m just happy to have the weight off and be keeping it off.
I had weight loss surgery and lost 174 pounds total. I am thrilled with the weight loss, but the sagging skin keeps me feeling large, bulky and ugly. I can’t afford surgery, but I am seriously thinking of “paying on time” like the other poster just to get rid of the extra skin. As another said, what is the point of losing so much weight if you still feel “fat”????
hello, i am deepak thakur, i’ve lost arnd 90pounds but still m crying because m left wid mass skin, i’ve done lot of exercises and taken lot of skin therapys but end up with no results. I am very much depressed because of this loose skin, can anyone tell me, how to get rid of this loose skin????
I lost around 30 lbs when I was 12 or 13 years old or so, within a period of about 3 months through crash dieting and exercise – from the overweight spectrum to the normal/underweight spectrum. For a few weeks, I probably ate no more than a few hundred calories a day. I then went back onto a normal diet with no weight gain, and retaining the extreme level of fitness that I had achieved through the exercise (Before the diet, 12 minute miles. Afterwards, 5 minute miles. I was winning races). “Crash dieting is always bad” is a myth. My case shows that crash dieting can be extremely effective if done correctly. Furthermore, the weight loss and exercise promoted my growth and metabolism, and there were no negative effects that I know of. No loose skin either, although I suppose that it helped that I was very young when I dieted.
john’s comment is disturbing to me. DO NOT CRASH DIET, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE STILL GROWING. growth is effected by nutritional status, as well as by physical activity. of course being overweight/obese without exercising is unhealthy at any age (excepting infants, who should be fat), kids especially should not crash diet at any period for any reason. there’s a ton of peer-reviewed literature out there on this; look it up.
also, john, what you did does not sound like a crash diet. experts suggest losing 1-2 lbs per week, and if you lost 30 in 3 months, you were only slightly above that.
I have lost 20 pounds in 4 years, dropping from size 22 to size 18, largely through exercise. Hardly a “crash” diet. Yet much of my remaining belly fat hangs down “loose” and floppy, which never was the case before I lost weight. Sure looks like the skin is inelastic…how can this be? Shouldn’t it recover?
My experience was similar to yours Laura except I kept losing weight until I reached size 6; skin stayed saggy for about 6 months then began to slowly tighten up. I think at your current size you’ll still have sagging unless or until you reach normal BMI range…then, give it a lot of time to tighten up.