excess skin

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
excess skin
10
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 4:42pm
Hello everyone, I am new to posting and I wanted to ask a question. I have lost about 75 lbs over the past year and I am not starting to worry a lot about excess skin. I just fear that there is only so much that skin can contract. So far so good but I have about 65 more lbs to lose. Does anyone know of any specific exercises or target toning that helps?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: heather1533
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 5:18pm
Hi Heather! I'm no expert on this, and I'm hoping some of the other ladies will have more information, but my understanding is that there isn't much you can do about excess skin with toning exercises, since the problem isn't related to muscle tone. In severe cases, I know the only option is plastic surgery (which is actually covered by many plans) I don't know if time is a factor - if the body will eventually "self-correct". Cross your fingers - maybe you won't have to worry about it!! I think it is more common if you lose a lot more weight, and very quickly - like the one lady I read about who started at 500 pounds and ended up at 140 within a couple years.
Avatar for suamomi
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-23-2001
In reply to: heather1533
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 6:37pm
heeeeeyyyy...are you my twin??? ;o)

I have lost 77 pounds and have about 63 to go...rofl.

I wonder about loose skin too but I think if you are losing at a reasonable rate (which it sounds like you are) then it should just naturally go back. I think the saggy skin comes more into play when you lose a lot of weight very rapidly (like that 75 pounds in 3 months or something).

But I could be wrong...lol.

I hope you find the answer! And congrats on your weight loss so far! :o)

Sarah

Sarah


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
In reply to: heather1533
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 8:56pm
Congratulations on your weight loss!!!! I don't know of any exercises that can help with this problem, unfortunately if you have excess skin the only way to get rid of it is by plastic surgery. I have a couple of friends who had gastric bypass and they had plastic surgery for the excess skin and it was all covered by insurance and all them said they have no regrets.

Good luck with the rest of your weight loss goals.

Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-2003
In reply to: heather1533
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 9:05am
If you haven't already, add weight training to your exercise program. It definitly helps!

Also, your doing great on the rate your losing! If you lose weight too fast, you'll have more excess skin. Just eat right and exercise (this is SO key!) and the weight will come off on it's own.

Also, make sure to keep yourself hydrated. Drink water everyday. Try to stay away from caffene,ciggarettes, and alcohol. I am BAD BAD BAD with this! Though I did stop smoking and been doing great with it, I am a Java Junkie and well, love my beer. But I DO limit myself on the beer--it's full of carbs and calories. Just several on the weekends!

Keep up the fantastic work!

Deb

Deb 270/228/145ish  (updated 4/19/04. Next weigh-in: 6/1/04)

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
In reply to: heather1533
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 10:49am
Thanks for all the help ladies. I suppose time will be the only way to really tell on this one. I have been using weights but I don't want to do too much as I don't want to bulk up too much. Has anyone had any success with pilates? And how much cardio do most of you do?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
In reply to: heather1533
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 11:01am
Ahem. Bulking up with weights is a myth. BULKING UP WITH WEIGHTS IS A MYTH!

Unless you are doing steroids along with your weight training regemen, you will not look like a bodybuilder.

Besides, muscle looks awesome. Learn to love it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
In reply to: heather1533
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 12:58pm

Bulking up with weights as a female IS a myth.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2004
In reply to: heather1533
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 1:17pm
A lot of it depends on your age, and on ancestry, and general physical condition, and some is just beyond your control. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't just keep active, and work on whatever parts you think you have (or may have) problems with. For instance, if you worry about flabby legs, take more walks and if you worry about flabby upper arms, exercise those. A lot is just plain old common sense....with a huge portion of good luck, and good genes, thrown in.

Kinja

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: heather1533
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 1:37pm
Hi Heather-

Congrats on your weight loss. I have alot of the same skin issues as you do. I have lost 161 pounds in 2 years, and I have alot of skin going on. I'm 30, but I've been heavy since I was around 9 or 10, so I don't know if the skin will go back. i am in the process of investigating the plastic surgery, because I have been having some problems with the skin (fungal infections in belly button, rashes and boils under the stomach skin, can't shave my thighs or underarms because of loose skin). I can't afford the surgery, but I am hoping insurance will pay for it since I am having problems. I have been doing alot more weight work, and I can tell the difference. The skin is still there and everything, but I can also see the muscle definition starting to show. I can even see some "cuts" in my stomach!

To those who said they knew someone who had the plastic surgery and insurance paid for it: how hard was it to get the insurance to foot the bill? Did those people have problems like the rashes and stuff like I do? Did insurance foot the whole bill or just a percentage? I lost the weight myself- insurance didn't have to pay for me to have the gastric bypass or anything, but the people I talk to seem to think I am going to have a real tough time getting insurance to approve this. It's getting hotter every day, and I'm sure I'll start getting the heat rashes under my breasts like I did last summer- talk about uncomfortable!

Anyway, best of luck to you in your continued progress!!

Lane

360/199/???

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
In reply to: heather1533
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 6:36pm
Lane,

Thank you so much for your words of support. It is great to hear from someone who has accomplished as much as you. I am also somewhat relieved to hear that the skin is not a huge issue for you. Perhaps I am worrying too much and it will take care of itself. I am sure that you are right about the stretching. I too hate it and I have no idea why. You would think that I would hate the cardio but nooo it is the stretching! What kind of workout routine were you using to lose all that weight and how long did it take you. Congrats and good luck to you and thanks for the kind words!

Heather