Excess Skin

**Nel** · 05-19-2013 09:33 PM

Hi all,

I'm hoping to get my sleeve done by the end of July. I have about 95 pounds to lose (I'm only 5 ft tall). I am 26 and really worried about excess skin. Anyone out there with a similiar situation? Any advice on how to limit the amount of excess skin??

**ACE** · 05-19-2013 10:11 PM

Skin has been one of my issues since the beginning, I was terrified that I would loose the weight only to hate the way I look but for me its not too bad. I have an album on here of my journey with the skin but the things that have helped me a lot are rubbing down in coconut oil head to toe a couple times a week. Which is nice because it doesnt feel greasy like lotions can. And wear something to hold the skin in place like Spankx or something similar. I get mine from the clearance rack at walmart. The spankx things help with exercise too because if I dont wear mine I feel like I am hula hooping in my belly lol but for having lost 250 lbs in all I dont think mine is nearly as bad as it could be. Good luck and best wishes.

**Nel** · 05-19-2013 11:40 PM

Thanks Ace. Wow 250 pounds what an inspiration! I was thinking of Spanx, actually. Glad to hear about the coconut oil because I actually already use unprocessed organic coconut oil as a moisturizer. Thanks for the advice!

**lakegirl** · 05-19-2013 11:43 PM

I think we all worry about the loose skin...me included. My lower ab is loose to begin with so I know it'll be an issue after weight loss. From what i've read a lot of people use the spanx. You may want to talk to your dr. about at some point using a 'binder' around your midsection- not sure its allowed or not? Curious to find out myself. Then, alot of people opt for tummy tucts later on. All depends how bad it is and how much it bothers you? Good luck!

**LisaI** · 05-21-2013 08:38 AM

at your age you might get lucky and have a lot of it shrink back

if you were prone to very bad stretchmarks though...be warned, that is a sign of low collagen production and it usually means the elasticity is shot...like the elastic in an old pair of panties.

good luck! there is always surgery later on if its bad

**Gothikim** · 05-21-2013 04:26 PM

Younger folks tend to have more elasticity and fewer problems with excess skin, UNLESS said skin is already really stretch-marked. The last time I lost a lot of weight, I was 41 or so, and my worst areas were where I already had "tiger stripes"--especially recent ones. I moisturized religiously and used a coarse textured sea salt scrub to "stimulate" the problem areas. I don't know if it helped, but it didn't hurt

When it comes down to it, I can't wear a two piece swimsuit now, or short shorts, or sleeveless/tank tops because I'm not comfortable being seen in them. Once I lose weight, if I still can't wear those things, it's not really a loss for me. Can't miss whatcha didn't have, you know?