Weight Loss and Skin Firmness - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

tedrlord · 07-28-2003, 12:30 PM

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knows much about what happens to your skin when you lose a lot of weight. I used to weigh about 235 lbs, and through a combination of diet and exercise have brought myself down to 190 lbs currently. I'm relatively heavily built and muscular, and based on my past weight before I started gaining I think I can probably get as low as 175 lbs.

My current concern is that even though I'm not extremely fat now, at least compared to how I used to be, I still look relatively sloppy, especially in the stomach area. At the height of my weight gain, the skin there had stretched out a bit, and I don't really know what's going to happen to it when I reach my weight goal. Will it look okay or will it leave a fold, which I've heard has been a problem for some people? Will it end up just looking wrinkled? If it does, is there any good way to make it firmer other than surgery? If anyone has had experience with this, or knows about it at all, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks.

Mael · 07-28-2003, 02:30 PM

i don't know if there really is an option other than surgery. your skin will shrink down, but due to being stretched and for so long, it may never shrink down as far and as tight as you'd like it. i hate to say it, but surgery might be the only way to see your six pack. but wait and see. often when people lose a lot of weight, they lose the weight faster than their skin tightens, so give it time.

magua · 07-28-2003, 02:51 PM

Drinking water while you lose weight helps keep the skin firm, instead of sagging. The more hydrated your skin is, the more likely it'll be to "bounce back into shape".

Sadly, if you drop a lot of weight in a short amount of time, you will get saggy skin. It'll correct itself over time, but that time could be years.

But if you're not losing more than 6-7 lbs or so a month, it shouldn't be a problem. I'd still drink the water anyway, good for you.

(As for your belly: it's possible to be skinny just about everywhere except for your belly: I once knew a construction guy who was skinny as a rail, but had a beer belly that would slouch over his waistband. Nothing to do about it except lose more weight.)

tedrlord · 07-28-2003, 04:06 PM

Well, I'm glad that it eventually corrects itself, even if it's only in part. I don't think it's really worth surgery to make my stomach tighter, anyway. I could see it if I'd lost more than a hundred pounds, but not for 50.

My weight is pretty evenly distributed over my body. I guess I'm just focusing on my stomach because it's the most noticeable when you're standing by the mirror getting ready in the morning. I'll see when I finally get to my goal. Thanks for the information.

hotzot · 07-28-2003, 05:48 PM

Thats not entirely true, the older you are the longer it takes for the skin to correct it self. (If at all) Alot depends on your age and the amount of weight you lost. Example I lost over 100 lbs in my early 30's. my skin still hasn't gone back to it's original shape and I'm in my late 40's. My doctor said that it was normal and the only way to get rid of the loose skin was surgery.

tedrlord · 07-28-2003, 11:31 PM

How bad is the shape, though? Does the lack of firmness bother you to the point that you'd actually want surgery?

07-28-2003, 12:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
tedrlord Crazy Location: Behind you!	Weight Loss and Skin Firmness Hi. I was wondering if anyone knows much about what happens to your skin when you lose a lot of weight. I used to weigh about 235 lbs, and through a combination of diet and exercise have brought myself down to 190 lbs currently. I'm relatively heavily built and muscular, and based on my past weight before I started gaining I think I can probably get as low as 175 lbs. My current concern is that even though I'm not extremely fat now, at least compared to how I used to be, I still look relatively sloppy, especially in the stomach area. At the height of my weight gain, the skin there had stretched out a bit, and I don't really know what's going to happen to it when I reach my weight goal. Will it look okay or will it leave a fold, which I've heard has been a problem for some people? Will it end up just looking wrinkled? If it does, is there any good way to make it firmer other than surgery? If anyone has had experience with this, or knows about it at all, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks.

07-28-2003, 05:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
hotzot We're having potato pancakes! Location: stalag 13	Thats not entirely true, the older you are the longer it takes for the skin to correct it self. (If at all) Alot depends on your age and the amount of weight you lost. Example I lost over 100 lbs in my early 30's. my skin still hasn't gone back to it's original shape and I'm in my late 40's. My doctor said that it was normal and the only way to get rid of the loose skin was surgery. __________________ The Bully Boys are here!

07-28-2003, 02:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mael Banned Location: The Hell I Created.	i don't know if there really is an option other than surgery. your skin will shrink down, but due to being stretched and for so long, it may never shrink down as far and as tight as you'd like it. i hate to say it, but surgery might be the only way to see your six pack. but wait and see. often when people lose a lot of weight, they lose the weight faster than their skin tightens, so give it time.

07-28-2003, 02:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
magua Tilted	Drinking water while you lose weight helps keep the skin firm, instead of sagging. The more hydrated your skin is, the more likely it'll be to "bounce back into shape". Sadly, if you drop a lot of weight in a short amount of time, you will get saggy skin. It'll correct itself over time, but that time could be years. But if you're not losing more than 6-7 lbs or so a month, it shouldn't be a problem. I'd still drink the water anyway, good for you. (As for your belly: it's possible to be skinny just about everywhere except for your belly: I once knew a construction guy who was skinny as a rail, but had a beer belly that would slouch over his waistband. Nothing to do about it except lose more weight.)

07-28-2003, 04:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
tedrlord Crazy Location: Behind you!	Well, I'm glad that it eventually corrects itself, even if it's only in part. I don't think it's really worth surgery to make my stomach tighter, anyway. I could see it if I'd lost more than a hundred pounds, but not for 50. My weight is pretty evenly distributed over my body. I guess I'm just focusing on my stomach because it's the most noticeable when you're standing by the mirror getting ready in the morning. I'll see when I finally get to my goal. Thanks for the information.

07-28-2003, 11:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
tedrlord Crazy Location: Behind you!	How bad is the shape, though? Does the lack of firmness bother you to the point that you'd actually want surgery?