Anyone have new or proven ideas on how to maximize skin tightening?

[mrsjumbo]

I see so much stuff about advances in spa treatments and cosmetic surgery, i thought i would check to see if anyone has info on or has tried anything that helped to tighten skin as they lost. I know that surgery is the most effective and proablay the only true way to get off all the excess, but do things like seaweed wraps, collegen, those lifter/vacuum machines or massage do anything to help?

[Nancy Stern]

There are a lot of factors genetics, age, how much you loose.... Exercise helps because you build up your muscles to help fill in the space. I have tried collagen firming lotions and warm bath soaks in air tubs but 10 months out I don't think it has done much though it isn't as bad as it was. I am not a fan of surgery because where do you start or stop? I have loose skin on my stomach, breasts, back, butt, thighs, knees, upper arms, forearms, neck and face I would guess if I had it all removed I'd be 15-20 lbs lighter. As my husband calls it its my badge of honor proof of all the weight I have lost and I'll take it over the fat any day.

[nyckathy]

I think time and excercise are the only non-surgical options. The older you are and the more weight you lost will be big factors. Also, how quickly you lose the weight. Sleeve patients dont typically lose as fast as Roux-n-y patients so the skin has more time to retract.

[carla's life]

I am worried about this and I have notice some dimples in my thighs. I am increasing my exercise to see if that helps.

[Grace]

There are laser treatments now for some help. Nothing as drastic as getting rid of all our loose skin, mind you, but to heat up the collagen under the skin and help it bounce back easier in some places and to fight cellulite (those dimples )
I see a Doc who uses a Candela laser for some of my other skin issues and when I said I was having WLS he said to be sure to come in every few months so he can tighten up my face and neck as I am losing the weight. It won't last forever but he says it will help me not have a droopy neck and "jowls"...
Here's an article but there are many out there.
http://drseckel.com/uncategorized/la...se-tummy-skin/

[AmyLess]

I have worn a bodymedia fit armband since April 4. I have an indent in my arm fat where I have worn it. That tells me that compression works. I am looking into compression sleeves and body contouring shapewear/compression garments to wear. Here is a link to someone who wore them while losing over 80lbs. The Easy Way Show! Impatient Dieter's Compression Suits, Compression Suits, Compression Suits!

[Stacey1216]

I read diet and water intake helps. If you are pregnant fr nine months and your skin stretches your body is pretty forgiving, but i am wondering since I have been overweight for a long time how it will end up looking after surgery and significant weight loss. Sometimes it feels like I want to lose 100 lbs but if I only lost 75 and looked better and kept some ofthe weight on would it avoid the loose skin? I don't know what to expect so I am trying to go more with the health aspect of getting the weight off instead of just the beauty aspect. I know I am going to look and feel better with clothes on after surgery. Just being able to move easier will be awesome to me at this point.

[Dana]

Ive read so many things and Im giving some of them a shot. I know it wont all go back but Im trying to get it (skin) as healthy as I can before making any drastic decisions. the link above The Easy Way show is where I learned about MSM soap and i love it. Ive read that things that increase circulation in these areas help the skin to recover better. like massage, dry brushing, soaking in sea salt or swimming in the gulf, at the moment Im into guasha.

Of course this is all in addition to water, vitamins, toning and whatever soap or cream you may run across. I am using MSM soap but I know that healing comes from inside, very little from outside, so I take an MSM supplement too. I have no idea yet if it works and if it does if it would have been fine without it but I cant help myself! the soap really does a great job on my face though either way.

Im also drinking a Pu'er tea, its great for healing and weight loss. detoxing and clear skin so Im hoping it will help with the sagging skin. I just started it so I have no critique yet. I havent really given myself over to the compression yet. I find it just moves the fat around and Id rather my fat hang on my hips than be pushed up under my lungs so I cant breathe. Im gonna give it another shot but not quite yet.

I also read tanning depletes collagen and works against your skins recovery. Im sure that wont stop anybody though.

[Dee Leshuz]

If you are pregnant fr nine months and your skin stretches your body is pretty forgiving,

For some pregnancies, for some women, otherwise the "Mommy Makeover" wouldn't be so popular, it's designed for after women have given birth.

I'm glad the other stuff makes folks feel better but the only real way to get ride of the excess skin is surgery. Genetics, age, how fast you lost the weight (it's better to lose it slowly) how overweight/obese you were, for how long, etc. are all factors in how long it takes your skin to snap aback, if at all. Generally, a 20 year old will generally have an easier time than a 40 year old. There is some evidence that lasers can tighten, but they have also been shown to melt fat under the skin (Thermage) and you don't necessarily want that (esp. w/ facial skin) b/c it will just hang more. The skin needs SOME fat underneath to give it that smooth look. So be careful there. And, as Grace says, lasers can help but only do so much.

I do wish it was so that potions, lotions, and all sorts of cosmetic remedies would work, it would be a lot cheaper and easier...but...generally, they don't. Lotions, etc. however, are great for potentially improving the texture of the skin, (some only temporarily) so they are valuable for that. Go from an alligator to a flower petal cuz dry skin does NOT feel good. It feels good to pamper the skin. It's done all it can do, carried you this far, and a little TLC won't hurt it. Perform miracles, though? No.

As far as where do you stop as far as sugary for loose skin? When you've gotten rid of all of it-there are various procedures to remove it. I'm planning an upper and lower body lift, along w/ the face, and that should about take care of it. It's an investment in myself. No one has to follow my example, and I'm not suggesting it, but I've done a lot of research on removing loose skin and believe me, if I could slap on some lotion and be done w/ it?! Or do some facial "exercise" to take away loose skin? Or wear compression garments? *I'd have done it /would do it in a minute. Cosmetic companies are not regulated and can claim whatever they want about their products-be a prudent consumer.

*Compression garments are very good for you post surgery to decrease swelling and do make you look better under clothes but they're not a permanent solution unless you're willing to wear them 24/7 and boy do those suckers NOT feel good when it's hot. They have their place, though, I have some. I've found Spanx and it's knockoffs the best but those are different than post surgical garments.

[dreamydeb]

im 5 ft 2 and 200lbs at this pt. i started at 214. i will be trying to lose about70lbs. will i have much lose skin or will that be for much heavier people . does fidelis cover the skin surgeries.

[Dee Leshuz]

Unfortunately you won't know until you get there. You'll still be better off w/ out the fat so try not to worry about it now-focus on losing the pounds healthfully and, if you can stand it, slowly. I have no idea whether your insurance covers it. Some do, some don't. You'd have to contact them and ask.

[IrishGirl]

Let me say first I am in no way trying to "hawk my goods" and I hope it is OK to share this but I am using products from It Works! Global. A friend of mine told me about it and I decided to try them, I figured what's the worse that can happen. It's all natural and at the very least it would be a fun night with my friends. It is NOT a miracle cure and in no way replaces surgery but it has helped and I do see very good results. The results were good enough, in my own opinion, to get involved with the products. I have lost 80 pounds and in my case I have had very dramatic up and downs with regard to weight so my skin is shot. As another member posted, shapeware has been a Godsend! I found these great "tank top" styles that come under the bra line so your breasts don't look like you have them held down with an ace bandage. Again, I hope I haven't infringed on any rules but the stuff I'm using is working for me and I will continue to use it until i go on a cruise later this year.

[sundevilaz]

Human Growth Hormone HGH may help in reduing the exess skin..u can either get HGH injections or increase your own HGH production from pituary gland
but HGH thats awhole different story..and thats just an idea

[IrishGirl]

Mrsjumbo, I have founf some products that have truly helped.My friend did the laser, spent $1700 and it did NOTHING. If you would like more info, please IM me and i would be glad to share what's working. This is not a scam and what I am using is plant based. I could not be happier with how it's helping me.

[AmyLess]

There are 2 types of "white" fat: Visceral and subcutaneous. The fat that causes "loose skin" is subcutaneous fat. Skin is rather thin and really doesn't hang unless it's got an inch or 2 of fat attached. Unfortunately, there are only 2 real remedies: Surgery or get your fat levels down to near normal. Once the subcutaneous fat is gone, the skin will recover. Mine is and I'm 57. I am meticulous about moisturizers and exfoliating every day. I have gloves I wear in the shower to rub down my body - even my face. I was recently asked if I had some "work" done.

I use skin firming lotions on my body. I'm not convinced they do a bit of good. I use Jergen's sunless-tanning Glow with firming stuff on my legs, and a different one everywhere else. I use a firming body wash. I'm not convinced it works. When it's gone, I'll switch back to something with dead sea minerals, which does do some good. I use Ahava Time Line products on my face and neck.

Even with our "tool", the only effective way to lose fat is to eat clean and stay hydrated. The food focus should be on lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and whole fruits. Go easy on the dairy and make sure it's low fat/carb. Grains, starchy veggies, and sugar should be avoided.

I am 15lbs away from "ideal" weight - my goal is what is considered ideal for my height. While my arms are not like they were in my youth, I can go sleeveless. I don't have bat arms and I did when I was heavy. I have lost 90lbs from my all-time high - 75 of it in about 6 months. I have had people amazed at how much I do not "hang". I wear compression garments, but I really don't have to. I just like being smooth in close fitting shirts. I think I am very flabby in my stomach, butt, and thighs, so once I get down to where I want to be weight-wise, I will concentrate on recomposition. Those of you who have a lot to lose can work at maintaining muscle while losing fat.