Skin left after weight loss (TMI?)

Factual Questions
1

I am currently losing weight and I am committed to keep this up until I lose quite a bit (not sure of goal weight yet, but ~150 pounds total). I have lost about 9 pounds so far in about a month’s time, and have noticed some bodily changes going on. This is pretty gradual for me, though – the last time, I used medication, and lost over 30 pounds the first month. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the medication anymore and pretty much gave up, and gained it back.

I know I am pretty well stuck with the stretch marks, but I am wondering if there is anything I can do to help the skin shrink down a bit? Is this a lost cause – should I start saving for skin removal surgery now? Or, does exercise help? What specific types of exercise, if so?

Any experiences you’ve had or professional opinions would be much appreciated.

2

There hasn’t been a whole lot of research in this area, but from what I’ve heard, there are a few things you can count on:

  1. The younger you are, the better a chance you have of it going away on its own.
  2. The more you lose, the worse your chances for the above.
  3. There’s a lot of individual variation, so YMWV.
3

I have a friend who had one of the tummy tuck variants, and she swears by massaging her body every night before bed[ok, her hubby actually does it…] with a mixture of almond oil and eucalyptus oil, 1 tsp eucalyptus oil to a gallon of almond oil…apparently it supposedly helps the skin retain resilliance. I have heard of something similar for pregnant tummies [you start massaging your whole abdomen the instant you find out you are preggers with this stuff right before bed and it supposedly helps your skin stretch without the stretch marks, and then after you deliver for 3 months.] She is 45 FWIW, and it seems to be working for her=)

IANA * [*= anything in particular] but I cant see where the massaging would hurt, and almond oil and eucalyptus is apparently fairly common, so unless you are allergic to either would be harmless, and if nothing else would be great foreplay or bonding with spouse/SO, especially if you trade massages=)

4

Before I invest in a gallon of almond oil (!), do you have any cites discussing this?

Should I discuss this with a doctor? Does anyone have personal experiences?

5

My dad lost a lot of weight, about 75 pounds, very quickly. Immediately afterwards, I was shocked by his appearance – he looked sickly and suddenly much older. But some months later, his skin had shrunk to fit his now-smaller body, and he looked great. He didn’t use any special exercises or skin care, and he’s 57. But it did take a few months for his skin to readjust, so I’d say just give it time. If you’re losing the weight gradually, it may not be a problem at all.

Congratulations on your loss!

6

I’m losing a great deal of weight myself, and am also concerned with loose skin. I do believe that massaging the skin helps push everything together a little.

If you aren’t in a great hurry afterwards, I’ve read previously that after several years the skin generally will tighten up a bit. I don’t have a cite, but may look later if you are interested. (I’ve got to go shortly)

I can’t say there seems to be much hope beyond the surgery, though one thing that’s interested me has been an article on the “myth” of loose skin, which does seem very logical in saying:

The human integumentary system (skin) is not a passive layer of tissue that remains stretched out like an empty plastic bag after losing large amounts of bodyweight. Rather, it is a living organ, actively adapting to the body’s internal and external environments.

The skin is usually thickest on the soles of the feet, and thinnest on the eyelids. As a typical example of your skin’s thickness, pinch the skin on the back of your hand. If it were true, as this woman claims, that the folds of skin hanging off her body had absolutely no fat left underneath to diet away, every inch of this skin would hang in sheets as thin as folds of paper.

Cite: http://www.bodyfatguide.com/LooseSkin.htm

The argument there is that more weight loss is necessary, because most people will lose weight and not consider the overall fat percentage of their body, which leaves room for this flesh to remain.

I might buy the book the author is trying to sell someday.

BTW, you may be covered for some removal of the flesh because flesh at the abdomen can make you vulnerable to back problems. I’ve read it may be trying to get them to do the deed even though they may cover it, but I’ll let you read some of these posts I’ve found by people who’ve succeeded or tried it that might help if you go this route.
http://boards.nbc.com/bb/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=141684&Main=138793

Probably wouldn’t hurt anyway, to stash a few bucks away occasionally, just in case this other stuff fails. Good luck to us both!! :dubious:

7

I also agree with weird one. Sometimes you are just going to fast. If it’s starting to loosen up some, it might help to take it easy on the exercise awhile.

8

Just a couple of nights ago I went with my wife to a seminar about “lap band” surgery. This is the latest high-tech version of the gastric bypass/stomach stapling weight loss methods. They addressed this isuue by saying that in most cases the skin would adapt itself to the smaller body. They recommended waiting at least 2 years after the surgery before considering plastic surgery.

9

LOL, my friend swears by it, and my pregnant friends are on some preggerboards, and they mention it, but as far as I am concerned it can be sanke oil or EVOO…

Do what you will, I mentioned it as some things that I have heard. I cant see what harm it would do, and it would probably be very nice massage oil no matter if it works or not=) And that is probably what the doc would tell you.

Me? I have stretch marks and weightloss skin…I dont happen to care, mrAru loves me no matter what I look like so I am content. I am just desperately trying to lose weight for my health, not to pick up guys.