ehhhh excess skin... what works??

So I'm down most of my excess weight- very excited and thankful although I'm also seeing excess skin around my stomach, thighs, and my upper arms which is a constant reminder of my old self.  I searched the forums on hear and I found that the overwhelming solution is surgery.  I understand that might be my only solution but its very expensive so I'm trying to see if their are alternatives.  I'm already exercising - lifting weights, etc to build muscle.  My family physician suggested spanx and skin firming creams and before I spend $$$ on them, I'm wondering if anyone has had any successes with them.

Spanx - my doc send wearing tight fitting clothes will help with any additional sagging?

Skin firming creams - anyone try this, any brands that you suggest?

Thank you in advance!

My surgeon told me depending on how over weight you were, how old you were, and how long you were obese, and if you are a smoker....will depend on how much sag you will have and how well your skin recovers after you lose weight.  I was 37, 354lbs for about 12 years...I am now 40 200 lbs (and I never smoked) and sag like crazy...

 I can't believe your doctor would suggest skin firming creams.  I think those will work for very, very minor sagginess but for what we have...don't bet on it.  As far as Spanx, I use them because it makes me feel better.  It smooths out the bumps and ripples of the sagginess and stops the jiggle.  Working out will firm out the muscles under the skin but unless the muscles get as large as the fat once was your skin will still sag.  Your skin is like an elastic band that was pulled too far too long and now it won't go back into place.  Unfortunately, there is no non-surgical cure for extreme sagginess after large amounts of weight loss.  I don't mean to sound like a negative Nancy but I would hate to see you spend money on creams that won't work miracles.  

That said I would rather be saggy than puffy...if you know what I mean...hahahaha. 

What crystal said. Save your money on those creams et... That's great your working out- keep it up but don't expect a lot of improvement in the sagginess. Save up your money and find a good plastic surgeon would be my advice. Congrats on your weight loss!

What works for excess skin?

Plastic surgery. Period. That's all.

Exercise and weight lifting and all that is going to keep you trimmer and tone up your muscles, but it's not going to get rid of stretched out skin.

Sometimes I wear shapewear like Spanx. I like the Flexees shapers at JC Penney. They help smooth out the lumps and rolls around my middle, and I know I've seen some shapers (can't remember the brand) that have sleeves to help control batwings (I sure could use that).  I'm a certified bra fit specialist at JC Penney so I feel qualified to offer 2 pieces of advice about shopping for shapewear:
1) Don't pull the garment on over your head. If you do, it will roll up into a tight, stubborn mess. Instead, step into it and pull it up into the desired position.
2) Buy the size that the label indicates you need. For example, if the chart on the label says that if you wear dress size 14, you need a size large shaper, try on the large size even if it looks small enough for a Barbie doll. The shaper isn't going to do its job if it's too loose. In fact, it's going to make you look worse. On the other hand, it shouldn't be so tight that it cuts off your blood circulation or makes it impossible for you to breathe or move.

Jean

 I agree with Jean....PLASTIC SURGERY.  However, that being said, I had lots of PS after my RNY in 2002.  A LBL in 2004, an arm lift and breast lift and reduction in 2006, plus lots of lipo each time.  What is weird is that when you gain weight back, which I did, it goes back in odd placs.  I lost 130lbs with the RNY and gained back 65.  However, since being banded in June, and losing 50lbs, my PS has held up REALLY, REALLY well.  I am now 40 and my tt is still as flat as it was in 2004 when I had it..