Question about loose skin

I posted this on the main board but wanted to ask my Oregon OH family. I am one week post surgery and have begun losing my excess weight and am beginning to notice areas that may have excessive loose skin. I know exercise is the best way to minimize loose skin, but was wondering if there are any other methods out there to use while still losing the weight. Does anyone know of any lotions or creams that can help rejuvenate the skin's elasticity? Jennifer

Hi Jennifer! I'm not quite 9 months post-op from RNY. I'm down 127 pounds and currently weigh 179. I work out A LOT and I still have a ton of excess skin. I saw my doctor yesterday and he said the very best thing to do is work out and make sure to do strength training exercises with weights. I do belong to a gym so I guess it must have helped me a little; I hate to think of what my skin would look like without working out! He also suggested taking a Pilates class because it helps your muscle tone and can help with core strengthening. I'm kind of scared to try it though! I guess they have videos and DVDs though, which might not hurt to try! I have used St. Ives Skin Firming lotion since surgery ... I don't think it really helps firm the skin but I like it because it doesn't have any strong fragrance to it and it keeps my skin from getting dry and itchy. I've heard a lot of people have problems with dry itchy skin after surgery. Anyway, I get mine at Walmart for just under $5 a bottle and it lasts a couple months. I really like it and I use it every day! Good luck to you! Deanna

Jennifer - something I plan to try, although it will be a little embarrassing for me, is I hope to have at least one massage a month while I'm losing. I've heard that massage can be a very good way to get the blood flow in your tissues and help the skin remember its elasticity. It may be a bunch of hooey, but at least I'll feel good while I'm giving it a go. Linda

Whether massage works for the skin - who knows. However for the mental and physical aspect of pampering ourselves, it sounds like something I might try.

Hey Jennifer....I have to say the skin thing is pretty much inevitable. It's all about genetics, age and prior damage ie stretch marks etc. Exercise defineately helps!!! It basically changes your body comp. from fat to muscle...which is AWESOME(you become a fat burning machne 24-7) and the muscle still looks better under the loose skin!! I'm out 4.5 yrs and have lost 200+lbs, became a water x instructor and personal trainer. I've exercised like a fiend...have GREAT muscle tone and LOTS of EXTRA skin. You'll LOVE the massage idea...we soooo deserve it!! I used to get one once every 2 months or so. I need to find some one here!!! Just do whatever you find to make yourself feel good!!!

Hi Jennifer, I asked that question until I was blue in the face pre-surgery.........and I kept hearing that there is nothing much other than exercise will help some but not all. I think most resort to the fact that loose skin is the lessor of two evils from obesity. I know I will be in need of a couple reconstructive surgeries but don't expect to go that route for about 2 years from now. Keep up the great work.....loose skin already, you must be losing very, very fast. Darla

Hi Jennifer- I agree with everyone else, it seems inevitable, but exercise helps a bit. I'm 10 months out and down 108 pounds, and have quite a bit loose skin. Luckily it hides well in the Winter time, but when Spring and Summer come, I may be more upset over it... I'm still unsure whether I will have plastic surgery or not. I'm not in a hurry to go under the knife again. It seems so drastic to improve my naked appearance. Hubby doesn't seem to mind Rebecca M., 5'8" 269/161/155