Loose skin after losing weight

Gingernutty · 29 May 2016 at 10:28PM

I started a fitbit 'thing' last October, I am losing weight and have lost about 2st 10lb so far.

About 3st to go

I've gone from a size 22 to a (just about) size 16.

I'm pleased with the weight loss and I am feeling much better in myself, however there is starting to be a problem with loose skin.

It's not as bad as the extreme weight loss people one sees in the news who are holding armfuls of flabby gut but it's starting to worry me.

I can flap my bingo wings and the skin on my upper thighs is starting to 'sag' over my knees.

The advice seems to be carry on losing weight, get to the goal weight, maintain for a couple of years and if the skin hasn't shrunk back by then, start saving the pennies for skin reduction surgery.

I'm moisturising on a regular basis but the only exercise I getting is walking (10,000 steps a day and gardening).

On a previous thread I had tried a gym but post viral labyrintitis means I can easily lose my balance and have little co-ordination so had to give that up.

Are there any exercises which can help?

UKTigerlily · 30 May 2016 at 12:19AM

Hey and well done on the weight loss, that's fantastic! I too have the same worries about skin, especially as I can't afford surgery. I'd say, if you can afford it, hire a Personal Trainer. Mine is an Injury Rehab specialist and works with me despite three illnesses and an injury that has now cleared up. They should be able to help you with exercises you can do and to be there in case of any problems etc

I have heard that drinking plenty of water helps, but I don't know if that's true! Could you do weight bearing exercises at home? Like push/press ups, lunges; tricep dips & squats etc? These may help build some muscle and that would help with any excess skin.

I constantly worry about my arms being bad when done, but I should look ok in clothes and will be so much healthier so will hopefully just learn to deal with it and see it as something showing how well i've done (and I have 11st in total to lose, to take me to the middle of the healthy BMI). So far i'm around halfway and look the same but smaller, though I know my arms have got smaller but can't tell yet if they will be ok or not!

Good luck & others will be along to advise you (oh and apparently body brushing helps and with cellulite too but again, I don't know myself)

FBaby · 30 May 2016 at 8:30AM

Well done for the weight loss, massive accomplishment.

Unfortunately, skin sagging is something that can do very little to prevent as it very much depends on the elasticity of the skin and that is very much in the structure of our skin we are born with. That means that you can have 50yo losing tons of weight with no skin tagging whilst some 20yo will have it very bad. Exercise will not help. It will build muscle (very gradually), so might make the appearance a bit better, but it will make no difference at all to the actual hanging skin.

Indeed, only surgery will resolve it.

Gingernutty · 30 May 2016 at 11:39AM

FBaby wrote: »

Well done for the weight loss, massive accomplishment.

Unfortunately, skin sagging is something that can do very little to prevent as it very much depends on the elasticity of the skin and that is very much in the structure of our skin we are born with. That means that you can have 50yo losing tons of weight with no skin tagging whilst some 20yo will have it very bad. Exercise will not help. It will build muscle (very gradually), so might make the appearance a bit better, but it will make no difference at all to the actual hanging skin.

Indeed, only surgery will resolve it.

Yeah, thought as much.

System · 23 September 2016 at 9:24AM

AngeloGonzales wrote: »

To make your skin again normal, I suggest you to take up massage palper-rouler. It is a good way to keep your skin and body in perfect condition. I think it will be useful for you too.

Thought that was only for cellulite.

Unfortunately for me whenever i lose weight i lose it from my face which makes my face look slightly saggier.

Facial exercises help a little but not enough. I'd like to keep my chubby (sounds better than fat) face but lose the rest (preferably not off my boobs either).

Unfortunately you cant pick and choose.

fireblade28 · 23 September 2016 at 12:50PM

Follow this advice and reassess in 6 months all depends how much there is.

http://http://www.muscleforlife.com/how-to-get-rid-of-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/

It may go with more weight loss and bit more muscle. Even if you are not going to the gym body weight squats what you hold onto chairs because of your balance issues. Add weight by wearing a rucksack etc etc.

There's always a way. Good luck!

SailorSam · 23 September 2016 at 1:38PM

There was a man talking on the Tv news last week. Can't remember the exact numbers but he'd gone from about 35 stone down to 17 stone but the skin was still there. He'd been trying to get an operation at his local hospital and they told him he didn't meet the criteria.

Gingernutty · 24 September 2016 at 2:47PM

UKTigerlily wrote: »

I'd say, if you can afford it, hire a Personal Trainer. Mine is an Injury Rehab specialist and works with me despite three illnesses and an injury that has now cleared up. They should be able to help you with exercises you can do and to be there in case of any problems etc

I suspect a spammer resurrected this thread, but I'll give you an update anyway.

I joined a gym and have a personal trainer.

Although there's no obvious difference yet, I am acquiring muscle and working on strength and stamina.

helcat26 · 24 September 2016 at 2:51PM

has anyone tried the radio frequency skin tightening

.Gigolo_Aunt · 24 September 2016 at 3:16PM

I think the trick is to lose the weight slowly, so that the skin can adjust itself accordingly. Ask your GP for advice.

McKneff · 24 September 2016 at 3:49PM

What is the criteria for surgery for this please

Loose skin after losing weight

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free