Wobbly skin!

[Betty99]

Hi,

I’m 4 months in and have lost 57lbs which I’m completely amazed by! But, I’ve noticed my arms/stomach/thighs getting getting a bit wobbly already and I’m worried about excess skin. Not so much on my stomach and thighs as no one will see them but I worry about it on my arms. I’m interested to hear what others have done in this situation to help??

Thanks!

[Christie13]

First good nutrition. The better your nutrition and hydration, the better your results will be.
Second strength training (or some other toning type exercise like pilates, yoga, cross fit etc). The longer you do it the more toned and less saggy your skin becomes. I have been strength training for almost a year (Dec 14th will be a year) and my loose skin is minimal. The worst is on my butt. Only one who sees that is the hubby and he is ok with it. LOL.
And lastly, time....it will take some time.

[Stacey03]

I agree with everything Christie says... it really does change over time with consistent exercise too :-)

[Mimi4]

I don't know your age but I am at the age where my skin has lost much of its elasticity. I was within 7 pounds of my goal weight and my skin looked bad. I made a decision to not lose anymore weight and to actually put back on about 5 pounds. I met with my doctor last week for my 5 year checkup. I talked with him about it and he asked me if I was happy where I was and I said "yes!" He told me that's all that matters. I am 57 pounds lighter (I need to update my status) and I feel great. I wear clothes that are flattering to the new me. I can wear leggings and feel fabulous. I am healthy and still on track for keeping the weight off. That is what matters to me. I wish you the best of luck in your journey. Mine has and is still the best gift I ever gave myself and my family.

[ThatGirlKat]

I have excess skin, but I've lost over 100 lbs. I'm working out now (kickboxing) to help with toning. You can also take a Collagen supplement, but do your research as there's a lot of bad products on the market. Another big thing for your skin is to moisturize the heck out of it and to stay hydrated. These will all help.

[KiwiGal]

I have lots of loose skin especially around the stomach area and my batwing arms :-)...and my boobs are non-existent now too.
At this stage I don't plan on doing anything surgically about it as good shape wear keeps it all in place, short sleeves manage the batwings and I think I look ok clothed. Plus my partner doesn't care what I look like as long as I am happy and healthy - which I am.
I haven't done any strength training (my bad I know!) but I am looking a joining a yoga group so who knows the shape may change.
Having some loose skin is really a very minor thing for me compared with how much healthier, happier and active I am now.

[Dutchie]

The amount of loose skin has to do with age, gender, genetics, the amount of weight lost and some other things.
I don't believe in doing specific training, there are no muscles in skin.
What might happen, is that you muscle mass increases and so it seems like the skin is a bit tighter.

I have loose skin, but I can hide it under cute clothes.
And the part I can't hide, like my neck, I wear proudly.
I earned it.
I feel healthy and fit and beautiful as I am right now.

[sraebaer]

Don't raise your arms. (When writing on the board my students noticed!!)

Exercise helps.

[KiwiGal]

[QUOTE=sraebaer;603111]Don't raise your arms. (When writing on the board my students noticed!!)

/QUOTE]

Love it!

Or wave goodbye ;-)

[Betty99]

Thanks all for your replies. I’m 33 and my surgeon thinks I should loose around 100lbs. I’m hoping that age is on my side in terms of elasticity but I don’t think that will actually be the case. I had a review with my surgeon last week and I was told I have to increase my exercise (currently I primarily just do lots of walking). The difficulty is I work and have 2 very young children so it’s hard to find the time and it’s even harder when you’re told to ‘make time’! At the end of the day I’m so exhausted I just want to go to bed not the gym!

I’ve been moisturising and staying hydrated and will give the collagen tablets a go! Has anyone found any work outs effective that they have been able to do at home?

[Ann2]

Thanks for the thread. It raises some important issues, IMHO.

Below are some friendly words of caution to everyone who's "on the way down," i.e., still losing, about :

1. Things change ALL the way down as you lose weight It's like a haircut -- Ten days after the haircut, you look great. Twenty days later ... not so much. Five days after that ... hey, this length looks really good on me, etc.

2. EVERYBODY has to get used to looking different as they lose massive amounts of weight. Some of that "difference" is in our heads, not really on our bods. It takes some folks several years to get accustomed to weighing 100 pounds less. This happens to men AND women. Be patient with yourself. Dysmorphia after WLS is like the weather -- if you don't like what you see, just wait a few months and your opinion will change.

3. Exercise makes a big difference, although it may take a couple of years of exercise to see ALL the difference exercise can make. If you've really committed to changing your life post-WLS, you'll wind up becoming a runner or a yoga enthusiast or a Crossfit devotee or a swimmer or ... whatever you become. In other words, I simply don't think it's possible to maintain your weight loss and DEFINITELY not to be a healthy person without regular exercise.

Best wishes to everyone, whether you're losing, maintaining or something else.

Ann