Loose skin?

Just curious has anyone lost roughly 100 lbs and had issues with loose skin? I need to lose about 100 lbs more to meet my goal weight and I'm terrified Im gonna have loose skin...I'm still young (21) I just want to make sure when I lose this weight I won't have loose skin...

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unknown

Parkercomom wrote: »

They help with the elasticity of your skin.

But, how can they do that? It is my understanding skin elasticity has mostly to do with heredity, but also whether you work out while losing weight, amounts of pounds lost, whether you've been overweight or obese.

If what you say were true, then it seems to me it would be more publicized.

unknown

I've only lost 30 lbs and have loose skin. I feel and look better so I'm not going to gain the weight back to have more taut skin.

unknown

SLLRunner wrote: »

Parkercomom wrote: »

They help with the elasticity of your skin.

But, how can they do that? It is my understanding skin elasticity has mostly to do with heredity, but also whether you work out while losing weight, amounts of pounds lost, whether you've been overweight or obese.

If what you say were true, then it seems to me it would be more publicized.

I don't know how they help with the elasticity of you skin...from what I understand it has something to do with the hydration of skin cells. I am not a biochemist. There are many articles/studies online about the benefits of efas and skin...I'm not asking you to take my word for it. I am offering a suggestion based on what has worked for me.

unknown

Skin Brushing ... go research it for yourself

unknown

At my 65lb. loss I'm noticing the loose skin. I'm not surprised, though, since it comes from years of my body having to accommodate my unhealthy lifestyle. I've heard that with time it will eventually bounce back. But it takes time. Because you're younger, chances are it will recover naturally.

unknown

CherryTop wrote: »

Skin Brushing ... go research it for yourself

^ This is interesting. I just read up on it.

unknown

I'm 25, I've lost 101 pounds, and haven't had any loose skin issues yet. That being said, I've still got about 70 pounds left before I get to a healthy BMI (and my initial goal). Each person is different as well, but being young helps. I haven't done anything special concerning moisturizing, but for other reasons I've increased my water intake. Also, when you get to goal your skin may look a little saggy because it's essentially empty. Strength training can help alleviate that to some degree.

P.S. I lost the 100 pounds in about a year, and have essentially maintained for the last year. I had a little bit just starting to form initially in my belly button area, but the year of maintenance has let the skin form back to the rest of me.

unknown

I've lost 75 pounds with about 40 more to go. I do have loose skin. And that's because I was over weight my entire life so most of my skin doesn't have any elasticity anymore and I've had a baby. I notice a little on my thighs, definitely my stomach and under arms. It's not bad though. With more weight loss my stomach will look awful but I don't care. I'm not trying to impress anyone.

unknown

I have lost 86 lbs in total. However, I believe I lost 40 lbs of it in a short amount of time (started MFP and it came off quickly). My exercise was mainly cardio (walking) because that was all I could do. But it left me with wrinkly looking skin on my stomach area, upper thighs and arms. However, I have slowed down my weight loss and started lifting weights and it has helped improved those areas. It will probably take some time for it to tighten up 100%. But honestly, like others have said it's worth it because I'd rather have some wrinkly skin (maybe it's temporary and maybe it's not) than have all smooth skin and my weight back on. I think if I could do it all over again, I would have gone for losing the weight slowly and started incorporating weights as soon as my body could tolerate it.

unknown

I've lost a little over 100 lbs and I do have a lot of loose skin in my stomach and arms. It just depends where you carry the most weight really, but I would expect that you're going to have to deal with it. I've had doctors tell me that losing weight at a slower pace while incorporating strength training may help with loose skin. Best of luck to you!

unknown

amyegillespie wrote: »

I have lost 100 pounds and do have a little loose skin. It continues to get better though, and it is not noticeable with my clothes. Definitely not a reason to not lose the weight! Worth it even with some loose skin!! :-)

You're young; it will shrink much faster than for us old gals. If you've been heavy for a long time, it will take longer but youth is on your side. I've lost 50 lbs and I have loose skin. My doctor said keeping the weight off is most important and will give the skin time to shrink (although in my case it is much slower and won't ever be taut like my younger years). It's taken a couple of years for my skin to adjust. Be patient and keep going. Then keep the weight off. Exercise does not "shrink" the skin; however, you can build definition under your skin with muscle, and the skin will plump out from the muscle somewhat. Most of all, be patient.

unknown

I've lost 120lbs so far and do have loose skin but I used the fear of loose skin as an excuse not to tackle the weight for far too long and the younger you do it the better. My health is what is important and being able to hold my head high when dressed and out knowing I look so much better than I did. My focus is fitness and wellbeing - not being able to wear a bikini. Expecting to lose the weight without any evidence of what came before wasn't a feasible thing for me since I've been large since before I hit my teens.

unknown

I lost 30 lb and have loose skin, BUT I am also 46 years old so don't let that scare you. My doctor told me that it can take up to 2 years for your skin to go back as much as it will. I keep telling myself that lots of women have babies and their stomach stretches WAY out but eventually it goes back even if it's not uber firm like before. I have been lifting weights as heavy as I can and drinking whey protein shakes trying to put some muscle into that skin and take up some of the slack. Make sure your skin is well taken care of, you stay hydrated, maybe take a hair skin and nails vitamin on your weight loss journey.

unknown

I'll also echo the ''don't lose too much, too fast''. There's a reason MFP targets you to lose 1-2 lbs a week. Any faster than that and you do risk the loose skin.

unknown

lauracups wrote: »

My weight has been up and down and with 2 pregnancies I do have a little loose skin in the lower tummy. I still have 20 to go then all together it'll be 70 lost, and I'm almost 46. I've lost it slowly and done strength training, so the butt legs and upper body are free of loose skin. I think most of that is genetic and skin elasticity. DON'T WORRY! Work on your goal at a healthy pace and if you need tweaks after there's so many options to treat loose skin, some non surgical.
Good luck!

could you tell us what other options there is to loose skin

unknown

I have lost 200+ pounds and yes there is loose skin and it is gross, but with clothes on it is ok and still worth the weight loss. It has tightened up some but being nearly 40 i doubt it will go away all together.

unknown

In for the ,lose steady plus lift weights an drink enough water. Then I think its genetics and patience.

unknown

SLLRunner wrote: »

Parkercomom wrote: »

They help with the elasticity of your skin.

But, how can they do that? It is my understanding skin elasticity has mostly to do with heredity, but also whether you work out while losing weight, amounts of pounds lost, whether you've been overweight or obese.

If what you say were true, then it seems to me it would be more publicized.

Lots of research on this, although there have not been any large longitudinal studies, the research that has been done suggests that it is true. Some oils will improve the elasticity of skin and reduce the appearance of some aging markers. However for those with diabetes and circulatory issues, they can also interfere with wound healing (no-one seems to be sure why). So why it is not widely publicized, I don't know. A conspiracy theorist may say that cosmetic companies would prefer to sell expensive creams.

unknown

There are lots of collagen supplements out there, it cant hurt to start taking one, as well as some vitC

unknown

85kurtz wrote: »

SLLRunner wrote: »

Parkercomom wrote: »

They help with the elasticity of your skin.

But, how can they do that? It is my understanding skin elasticity has mostly to do with heredity, but also whether you work out while losing weight, amounts of pounds lost, whether you've been overweight or obese.

If what you say were true, then it seems to me it would be more publicized.

Lots of research on this, although there have not been any large longitudinal studies, the research that has been done suggests that it is true. Some oils will improve the elasticity of skin and reduce the appearance of some aging markers. However for those with diabetes and circulatory issues, they can also interfere with wound healing (no-one seems to be sure why). So why it is not widely publicized, I don't know. A conspiracy theorist may say that cosmetic companies would prefer to sell expensive creams.

They may help skin appearance if you're deficient and then supplement. They may help make your skin more hydrated and healthier looking. But I doubt they will help much with excess skin that is due to weight loss. That's a different problem-- too much skin, not just inelastic skin.