Extra Skin - Anyone deal with it?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Extra Skin - Anyone deal with it?
15
Mon, 03-28-2005 - 11:31pm

I have been watching some TV programs that show dramatic weight loss and makeovers and such.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2005
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 5:11pm

Sorry for barging in here! I'm new and just started posting (elsewhere) yesterday. I don't have quite 100 to lose, so I hope I'm not disqualified. I do have 65 to get close to ideal weight, and as I take corticosteroids periodically and can't exercise because of knee/leg injuries (not for some time to come anyway), I feel very challenged.

Several things have kept me from trying much and the extra skin thing is one of them. I didn't have much tummy after giving birth to three girls, but now I'm 39, and two of my doctors have told me that no matter how slow--or fast--I lose this weight, no matter how much I exercise (if I were able), I'm going to have hanging skin. I so dislike surgery. I've had an appendectomy, an exploratory, and 3 c-sections, and I swear I will never agree to more surgery for other than a serious health condition.

I don't want to be negative, but I, too, have heard and read that nothing you can put on your skin will help. I wonder about something like retin-a though--because doesn't that build the supportive collagen? But if you slathered it all over, besides being costly, you might absorb something into your blood stream that wouldn't be great for you.

What about wearing tights? For me the excess weight is primarily in my hips, thighs, and even legs. Does anyone think this could possibly help?

Again, sorry. I feel like an intruder, but you all sound great and very intent on helping each other.

Colly

Avatar for cutiekitty516
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2003
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 6:33pm

Hi, Colly!

    
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2004
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 9:19pm

Hi tvcameragirl,


I asked a plastic surgeon about the whole skin thing once. He told me that skin is like a balloon. If you blow up a balloon and then let the air out right away, it will go back to normal, but if you leave the air in for a long period of time and then let it out, it loses it's shape. He said thats the jist of it, but everyone's different and there are a lot of factors. Unfortunately, according to him, toning and creams won't help much as far as skin goes because those things cannot restore skin elasticity.


Hope this is informative.


Side note: Hello to those on the board who were here when I was posting before...and hello to all the new folks too!


See everyone around!


Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2005
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 8:32am

Lori, thanks for the welcome. Do you believe I had to ask one of my daughters about Swiss Cake Rolls? Yeesh. Will you accept payment in Fig Newtons? Got some of them in the cupboard. ;-)

Sixty-five pounds to lose isn't so great when you're shortish with small bones. I absolutely must, as you say, persevere. I get terribly discouraged when I lose 5 pounds--quite a struggle with almost no exercise--and then the doctor puts me back on steroids. These cause immediate weight gain in the form of water retention, intense food cravings, and I'd swear they do something not-good to the metabolism as well. I may not be eligible for "cool cat" status, but please consider me a contender!

I'm getting ready to renew my efforts on April 1st--find that I need some sort of a starting date to get my mind in (approximately) the right place. That gives me exactly 3 1/2 months to my parents' big anniversary party. I know that's a short term goal, but I think it will help to keep it in mind.

I also need a way, given the calorie deprivation necessary for me if I'm to see any loss at all, of getting things going quickly. Will I bring down the wrath of some here upon me if I say that I'm thinking of a 3 day semi-fast? Water mixed with fresh juices, and cups of chicken-veggie broth? What I'm hoping is that, by Monday, I'll see a little change on the scale and be ready to proceed.

Again, thanks for the welcome!

Colly

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 12:46pm
I already have an apron but ya know....my husband is ok with it and while I would prefer it not to be there, Im not willing to put my family in debt or risk that sort of surgery.

Pages