Are there any good exercises that really help tone and cut down on all the loose skin?

Hey,
I am new to this game and haven't had my surgery just yet.  I was trying to get a jump start on the toning exercises to try and cut down on the amount of loose skin that I will have once I have lost my weight.  Are there any out there that really work?  I will definitely have skin around the stomach and thigh areas and the bat wings (arms) as well.

I could really use some suggestions.  Also, are there any creams/lotions out that really help tone the skin?

I don't know if any of this works, but I recently saw a segment on a morning show (don't remember which one) on loose skin.  There were a few products/services mentioned.

1.  Neutrogena Hand Kit - over the counter, can be used all over.
2.  Neova DNA Repair - available by prescription at your dermatologist
3.  Exlis (sp?) treatment - this is some kind of machine treatment performed at some dermatology offices. 

Again, I'm not sure if/how any of this works or if it even applies to people like us who will have lots of excess skin from rapid weight loss, but I plan to look into them.  I'm not expecting magic, but maybe one of these will be good enough to avoid having surgery.  Good luck!

That's exactly what I'm hoping to do.  If there is anything that I can do to avoid having surgery for the loose skin, I am willing to try it.

Thanks for the info!!!

I have noticed that my arms have been helped tremendously with strength training at the gym. I do 100 pushups a day (full body ones) and I also do pull ups and dips on the machine they have on the gym. There are several machines that target your tricep muscles and that seems to help, as well as free weights.

I have done tons of abwork and thigh work and still have the loose skin there. I don't think there is much that is going to help.

Thanks for the info Scarlett!!!  I don't know if I can do the full body push-ups just yet.  I will have to start with the girlie push-ups.  I will move up to the full body. LOL!!

Well, there was this one study that said people who exercise had "firmer" skin that people who don't. But, that aside, no exercise works on your skin. Exercise changes your muscles and your cardio-vascular system. The increase in circulation can make your skin appear better but it's not going to remove excess skin.

But, if you make your muscles bigger, you can fill out some of the area under the skin where the fat used to be.

 Strength (weight) training is huge!!!  I had RNY 20 months ago and started working with a trainer the minute I was released by my Doctor.  I have very little loose skin.  The concept is that if you give the skin something to attach to ( the new muscle) it will cling to it and repair itself.

I loved it so much I became a personal trainer myself :)

Thanks for the information!!!  How much weight did you lose??  I need to lose 170 lbs. so I'm pretty sure there is going to be an issue with skin.  I am just trying to cut down on the amount of skin in any way I can.  You should post your before and after pics so that we can see how well you have done.  To bad you are not in the Michigan area so that you could be my personal trainer!!

Thanks again!