Fear of Extra Skin!

[Amanda525]

Hello All!
One of my biggest concerns is the extra skin factor. I've been doing research and trying to figure out all I can do to prevent the degree of my extra skin. I've heard that staying hydrated, lotioned up with Palmer's and regular strength training is the way to go to stay toned.
I'll be 30 in a few weeks and am hoping that my age will prevent rather than cause an increase in extra skin due to reduced elasticity.

Does anyone have any recommendations??
Thanks in advance!
Amanda

[Grace]

Hi Amanda - I think like everything else with this surgery or weight loss in general it's just individual. If you've had kids your skin tone is not as good as if you have not. If you were active prior to surgery, you may have more elastin, collagen etc. Different genetic makeups = different skin textures. Stretch marks you have already will mean that area won't bounce back as much.... etc, etc. I know I'm not really giving you an answer but all you can do is your best. I've worn a body shaper 16 hrs a day since a week after surgery. I think it may be helping my pannus from drooping as much as it might have. However, my upper arms have also been in the shaper and they are as droopy as can be, so I may be fooling myself, who knows?
I think the best we can do is pay attention to our vitamins, hydrate like crazy, use good lotion and get some sunshine (hard for us up here in northern New England)... natural Vit D helps...

[Dena]

Well I've heard lots of things that supposedly help like the ones you mention but I think Grace is right. It is very indvidual and a lot about genetics. And, look at it this way....you already have the skin. You will not have any "extra" skin. It's just that the skin you already have won't be plumped up by all of that unhealthy fat. Way to look for that silver lining huh? :-)

[rylynn]

You know Grace I wear a body shaper too makes me feel better about myself..because I do have the flappy extra skin on my tummy and my arms but i AM WORKING ON THAT WITH RESISTANT BANDS AND IT SEEms to be helping under my arms...atleastI feel like it is lol

[Dee Leshuz]

What is worse...fear of fat or fear of skin? What makes your life harder right now?

Skin you can deal w/ in a variety of ways later but fat makes it a lot harder to move around, be healthy, feel good physically, buy clothes ...and while the skin might be annoying you will have an easier time w/out the fat weighing you down and limiting your health and movement. Sucks about the Catch 22 but one really IS better than the other.