excess skin question

I've lost almost 60 lbs and am starting to see a little bit of excess skin.  My doctor tells me that this will "firm up" over time and that I shouldn't worry about it.  Of course, I do worry about it.  I weight train and exercise daily in the hopes that I'm building enough muscle mass to help fill some of the areas that has so much fat.  I still have about 30 lbs to lose.  Has anyone experienced their skin "firming up" over time? 

I used to workout on the StairMaster like a fiend. My butt really firmed up a LOT. The one area I really had problems with were my arms. It seems that no amount of muscle will fill out the flabbiness... or at least that was my experience.

I think the butt and the calves are the areas that are the easiest to fill out. It's hard to build enough muscle in the abdomen and the arms, I think. (I opted for brachioplasty.)

Your age affects how much your skin will shrink up, too, I think. The older we get, the less elasticity we have... and that's not fair! 

NM: How did your braichioplasty go? Where did you have it done? Are you happy you did it?

Hi Daymkr,

The brachioplasty went fine as far as no complications, little pain, etc. BUT, I think I jumped the gun. I had it done when I was still pretty chunky, actually. I just got sick of jiggly, saggy arm gloobers hanging! So I decided rather than wait, I'd just have it done. (I don't have any form of WLS, so the chances of my getting to "goal weight" are slim to none, no pun intended!)

I had it done in WI by a local plastic surgeon. It cost about $4200, which is pretty reasonable, compared to other areas of the country, I suppose.

I am happy I did it, in spite of my arms still being kinda chunky. At least I don't have the flappity waving flag arms anymore! 

Hi
I am at my goal weight and have been for awhile, I seriously feel like I have two arms on each side, one is skin, one is arm. I wont wear short sleeve other than when I work out. I want to have this surgery so bad I can taste it. How does the scar look?
You say you are having trouble getting to goal? I finally got to goal, was able to stay there and re-set my metabolism with the HCG diet, Very difficult to do, but unbelievable results! I have dieted my whole adult life, have a lapband etc. wish I had just done this sooner! You have to follow it 100% for a minimum of 30 days but it is amazing! If you are interested go to DIYHCG.com
Also, regarding arms...how was the pain?
Thanks!

I can still see my scars, but they aren't too bad. They're fading more and more all the time, thankfully. My incision was from under the armpit to just above my elbows (about an inch and a half before the elbow.)

The pain was surprisingly manageable.  I had expected a LOT of pain (for some reason, my biceps are extremely sensitive to pain, weird, I know!) The worst part was not being able to move much after surgery. You feel a little helpless for a while. I never had to ask for help on the potty, at least! 

I still don't wear sleeveless, but just because I still think my arms are chunky and it makes me uncomfortable. But I can wear tops that I couldn't get my arms in before.

Nicci

While you can affect toning loose skin somewhat by replacing fat with muscle it varies greatly between individuals.  Some skins is inherently elastic and bounces back, others have skin that is tissuey and will sag no matter what.  I think it more depends on genetics, but don't give up on the weight training!  It will serve you well in other ways besides loose skin tightening.  I developed lower back trouble AFTER losing 100 lbs because I didn't do any weight training and lost the muscle I need to support my frame.  Now I'm working with a personal trainer to get it back and it's hard to start from ground zero!  I wish I had been doing it gradually all along!

I could use plastic surgery on certain areas, and may do it some day if I can afford it, but having loose skin is a small price to pay, in my opinion, for the huge improvement losing weight has made in my overall health!

Just keep doing what you're doing!

Best~
Lisa O.

Ummm No -  not for me.  I have all my lose excess skin.  My doc said because I am fair skinned my skin probably won't snap back.  I am getting a TT on 10/20 to take care of my stomach but I will have to live with the arm and thighs!

N.M. -- 

I'm also interested in the appearance of your scars.  How long has it been since your brachioplasty?  I'm 65, lost almost 100 pounds 2 years ago, and can live with most of the excess skin, but the arms are the worst!!  It seems almost 1/2 of my arm circumference is skin, and it looks awful...How did he do the surgery (I hear there is a way to put most of the incision under the armpit so it doesn't show as much).

Phyllis

I had my brachioplasty last  November --- and while you can still see the scars, they are fading -- and more than 1/2 the scar line can't be felt any longer.

My incisions were elbow to under-arm --- and I am very happy with the results
My arms are not perfect, but I can wear 'Small' blouses now --- and wear short sleeves without feeling self-conscious.

I don't really go sleeveless, but at the age of 53, it is more out of fashion sense than out of 'hate my arm' syndrome.

I paid about 4,500 for the surgery (actually paid about 9K because I had a breast lift at the same time).