Loose/Flabby Skin - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Catdaddy33 · 06-14-2006, 03:34 AM

I've lost 100lbs and trying to firm up my body. All is going well except for the skin around my abs. It's still rather loose and flabby, I do crunches every other day, run 5 miles a day, and a couple of weeks ago I started weight training to firm up.

Is there anything I can do (short of surgery) to firm up my skin?

Vincentt · 06-14-2006, 04:52 AM

I'm wondering this myself, I have lost 40 or so pounds, but I now have really streachy skin.

Most places this isn't a problem, but, I think it is blocking my abs from showing through.

If anything, it isn't helping.

Mister Coaster · 06-14-2006, 12:08 PM

I have the same problem, Catdaddy. I have heard eating lots of seafood (fin fish) and cocoa butter applied to the skin can help, but the only real thing you can do is wait. Apparently your skin will eventually reform, but it takes longer than the actual weight loss period did.

Catdaddy33 · 06-14-2006, 02:03 PM

I figured as much, my ab area is the only one that is problem, the rest firmed right up..

I saw a commercial for some skin care lotion that claims to firm up skin, for the life of me I don't remember what or who makes it.

Mister Coaster · 06-14-2006, 02:24 PM

I'm sure there are products that claim they will help with this, but if they are expensive, they probably aren't worth the money. I guess its the price we pay for having "lived large" in the past.

All things considered, it's a "good" problem to have. The loose skin is only bad for shirtless appearences, where the extra 100+ lbs is bad for just about everything.

thingstodo · 06-14-2006, 03:40 PM

Time - give it - time. depending on your age things will work themselves out. Just remeber that Rome wasn't built in a day. It took a while to create what you are trying to get rid of. And seriously - best wishes to you on that!

ngdawg · 06-14-2006, 05:34 PM

It depends on your age, really. I lost 45 lbs and my abdomen skin had already been damaged from having twins through C-section. Skin is elastic, but if you were heavy a long time, it's doubtful the skin is going to just 'bounce back'. Exercise will NOT get rid of flabby skin. If there's no change in a year or two, it's there to stay and only surgery will get rid of it.
100lbs is an awesome feat and for that you should be proud. If it bothers you that much, look into having the flab removed. A full tummy tuck, which involves suturing the abdominal muscles together, liposuction and removing skin, and possibly rebuilding a new navel, will run about 10 grand or more and the healing process takes a long time. There is a procedure called a 'minituck' which does not involve the muscle.
To emphasize again, NO exercise will reduce or remove flabby skin.

ASU2003 · 06-14-2006, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngdawg

NO exercise will reduce or remove flabby skin.

I'm not going to outright disagree, but if you are a guy, you can work out and gain enough muscle to fill it back in (at least a little bit in your arms and legs). Your abs might be a problem though.

ngdawg · 06-14-2006, 07:52 PM

If a guy had a 'beergut' would he want to fill that back in, though? Legs don't really get that flabby, well thighs can, but they are easier to build out and look better that way.
Unfortunately, that gut flab hangs down, pulls on itself more or less I guess you could say. One supposedly good way to tell if it's fixable with time and exercise is stretchmarks (guys get them too)-they're really noticeable when the weightloss is successful and if they're there, you broke and scarred the skin and it won't bounce back. Tanning also destroys the elasticity so that if you were heavy and a sunworshipper, it won't bounce back.
At 100 lbs weight loss, it's unlikely that much flesh is going to just go away. A friend of mine lost that much due to a stomach stapling last summer. The amount of remaining flesh is astonishing, but she looks SO good now and feels fantastic, it's a small price to pay after being told if she didn't lose the weight, she'd be dead very soon.
I know that I will never lose the flesh after a 45 lb weight loss and i lost that weight in 1999 and have kept it off except for a fluctuating 5 lbs.

Catdaddy33 · 06-16-2006, 03:03 AM

I'm 38 and was "very heavy" for 10 or so years. Its not really bad enough for me to consider surgery, its only noticable when I have my shirt off and even then not that bad (especially if I suck it in), but its there.. I wouldn't mind working to get a six-pack abs but you guys are right part of the price I paid for being so fat and out of shape for so long.

Thanks for all the input!

06-14-2006, 03:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Catdaddy33 Psycho Location: TN	Loose/Flabby Skin I've lost 100lbs and trying to firm up my body. All is going well except for the skin around my abs. It's still rather loose and flabby, I do crunches every other day, run 5 miles a day, and a couple of weeks ago I started weight training to firm up. Is there anything I can do (short of surgery) to firm up my skin?

06-14-2006, 04:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Vincentt Addict Location: Tokyo, Japan	I'm wondering this myself, I have lost 40 or so pounds, but I now have really streachy skin. Most places this isn't a problem, but, I think it is blocking my abs from showing through. If anything, it isn't helping. __________________ .

06-14-2006, 12:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mister Coaster Big & Brassy Location: The "Canyon"	I have the same problem, Catdaddy. I have heard eating lots of seafood (fin fish) and cocoa butter applied to the skin can help, but the only real thing you can do is wait. Apparently your skin will eventually reform, but it takes longer than the actual weight loss period did. __________________ If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

06-14-2006, 02:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mister Coaster Big & Brassy Location: The "Canyon"	I'm sure there are products that claim they will help with this, but if they are expensive, they probably aren't worth the money. I guess its the price we pay for having "lived large" in the past. All things considered, it's a "good" problem to have. The loose skin is only bad for shirtless appearences, where the extra 100+ lbs is bad for just about everything. __________________ If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

06-14-2006, 03:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Time - give it - time. depending on your age things will work themselves out. Just remeber that Rome wasn't built in a day. It took a while to create what you are trying to get rid of. And seriously - best wishes to you on that! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

06-14-2006, 02:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Catdaddy33 Psycho Location: TN	I figured as much, my ab area is the only one that is problem, the rest firmed right up.. I saw a commercial for some skin care lotion that claims to firm up skin, for the life of me I don't remember what or who makes it.

06-14-2006, 05:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	It depends on your age, really. I lost 45 lbs and my abdomen skin had already been damaged from having twins through C-section. Skin is elastic, but if you were heavy a long time, it's doubtful the skin is going to just 'bounce back'. Exercise will NOT get rid of flabby skin. If there's no change in a year or two, it's there to stay and only surgery will get rid of it. 100lbs is an awesome feat and for that you should be proud. If it bothers you that much, look into having the flab removed. A full tummy tuck, which involves suturing the abdominal muscles together, liposuction and removing skin, and possibly rebuilding a new navel, will run about 10 grand or more and the healing process takes a long time. There is a procedure called a 'minituck' which does not involve the muscle. To emphasize again, NO exercise will reduce or remove flabby skin. __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

06-14-2006, 07:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	If a guy had a 'beergut' would he want to fill that back in, though? Legs don't really get that flabby, well thighs can, but they are easier to build out and look better that way. Unfortunately, that gut flab hangs down, pulls on itself more or less I guess you could say. One supposedly good way to tell if it's fixable with time and exercise is stretchmarks (guys get them too)-they're really noticeable when the weightloss is successful and if they're there, you broke and scarred the skin and it won't bounce back. Tanning also destroys the elasticity so that if you were heavy and a sunworshipper, it won't bounce back. At 100 lbs weight loss, it's unlikely that much flesh is going to just go away. A friend of mine lost that much due to a stomach stapling last summer. The amount of remaining flesh is astonishing, but she looks SO good now and feels fantastic, it's a small price to pay after being told if she didn't lose the weight, she'd be dead very soon. I know that I will never lose the flesh after a 45 lb weight loss and i lost that weight in 1999 and have kept it off except for a fluctuating 5 lbs. __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

06-16-2006, 03:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
Catdaddy33 Psycho Location: TN	I'm 38 and was "very heavy" for 10 or so years. Its not really bad enough for me to consider surgery, its only noticable when I have my shirt off and even then not that bad (especially if I suck it in), but its there.. I wouldn't mind working to get a six-pack abs but you guys are right part of the price I paid for being so fat and out of shape for so long. Thanks for all the input!