Any tips to prevent hanging skin after weight loss....
My surgery is not until aug 29th but i was wondering if any one knows of anything i can do to prevent to hanging skin?I already have a lil pouch on my belly from the scar tissue from two c-sections so i know thats gonna be there nothing a panty girdle wont hide lol but im really scared about my arms they r not huge but they r big enough lol.. Ive been asking around and so far the only suggestion i recieved was to go out and get a resistance band and start exercising with it...any other things that may have helped you?
From my own plastic surgery consult and hearing plastic surgeons lecture to bariatric patients this is what I have learned so far:
There is NO magic equation. Your ratio of skin hanging/looseness cannot be foretold. However there are some things you can do to help yourself-
Smoking ages and damages skin so dont do it. Age plays a factor, the younger you are the more likely that your skin will have better elasticity to bounce back. How long has your skin been streched/have you repeatedly gained and lost? Skin loses its ability to bounce back if it has been repeatedly stretched. Stay hydrated. Invest in good bras, sports bras, and even elasticy pants or girdle to hold in your tummy and breasts when you work out/bounce around. It will keep gravity from pulling on the skin.
Creams and lotions do no work. Once skin has been damaged it is replaced with the same damaged skin and no cream will penetrate and change that. Lotions can help the appearance though by hydrating skin.
We are all different, some need surgery on their arms after weight loss, others on their tummies. Im 27 and my arms look good and have bounced back but I am in need of a tummy tuck and breast lift.
But let me tell you, Ill take that over being 258 pounds again any day!
There is NO magic equation. Your ratio of skin hanging/looseness cannot be foretold. However there are some things you can do to help yourself-
Smoking ages and damages skin so dont do it. Age plays a factor, the younger you are the more likely that your skin will have better elasticity to bounce back. How long has your skin been streched/have you repeatedly gained and lost? Skin loses its ability to bounce back if it has been repeatedly stretched. Stay hydrated. Invest in good bras, sports bras, and even elasticy pants or girdle to hold in your tummy and breasts when you work out/bounce around. It will keep gravity from pulling on the skin.
Creams and lotions do no work. Once skin has been damaged it is replaced with the same damaged skin and no cream will penetrate and change that. Lotions can help the appearance though by hydrating skin.
We are all different, some need surgery on their arms after weight loss, others on their tummies. Im 27 and my arms look good and have bounced back but I am in need of a tummy tuck and breast lift.
But let me tell you, Ill take that over being 258 pounds again any day!
HW: 258lbs SW: 240 CW: 140 I am 5 foot 7 and 30 years old
VSG 12/21/10 Plastics: Tummy tuck, breast lift, and augmentation 11/3/11
Soon to be veterinarian!! xoxo
I am going to school to be a nurse so I have recently taken a couple anatomy and physiology classes. I learned that when you exercise you bring blood and nutrients to those areas in more quantities than usual. I plan to swim laps as soon as I can to help my body get everything it needs and keep everything moving good in my circulatory system. I am hoping this will help with the process.
I have also heard a lotion with Vitamin E helps. I wouldn't know, but I read a post that someones doctor told them that.
I also think losing more slowly helps too. Not that we really want to do that, but sometimes it helps when things are not moving very fast to think of that nice side effect. Lol
Anyway, I hope you find the miracle answer. I would love to know too:)
Good luck! I am pretty much planning on plastics myself.
I have also heard a lotion with Vitamin E helps. I wouldn't know, but I read a post that someones doctor told them that.
I also think losing more slowly helps too. Not that we really want to do that, but sometimes it helps when things are not moving very fast to think of that nice side effect. Lol
Anyway, I hope you find the miracle answer. I would love to know too:)
Good luck! I am pretty much planning on plastics myself.
On my way!!!!!!Crissy
OMG I love the pics you throw in!! I look ok laying down too.. but not bending over!! Ha! Gravity hates me!
& losing slow doesn't help it, true! It does all come down to genetics and how much you stretched to start with.. I was 21-23 when I lost 150lbs, had hanging skin, and WAS NOT emotionally ready to see that after working as hard as I did! Now, at least I know what's in store.. and it's likely going to be worse as I'm 38 and regained!
Stretch marks=damaged skin=prepare to get it cut off or deal.
To the OP, forget resistance bands. Build some muscle with weights, and it will fill in some space. Trust me, unless you are on steroids you will NOT get big bulky muscles.. so don't let that scare you off.. Good strong defined muscles can really help some minor skin issues.
& losing slow doesn't help it, true! It does all come down to genetics and how much you stretched to start with.. I was 21-23 when I lost 150lbs, had hanging skin, and WAS NOT emotionally ready to see that after working as hard as I did! Now, at least I know what's in store.. and it's likely going to be worse as I'm 38 and regained!
Stretch marks=damaged skin=prepare to get it cut off or deal.
To the OP, forget resistance bands. Build some muscle with weights, and it will fill in some space. Trust me, unless you are on steroids you will NOT get big bulky muscles.. so don't let that scare you off.. Good strong defined muscles can really help some minor skin issues.
Exercise will NOT tighten up loose skin. Building muscle mass under the skin will help, but usually not totally resolve the problem.
There are absolutely no creams, vitamin preparations, lotions, supplements or anything else that will cause hanging skin to go away (lots and lots of companies make millions of dollars selling crap that is supposed to do this. But they all put in a quailfier, along the lines of: "Results will vary from one person to another".
The ONLY thing that will really get rid of excess skin is plastic surgery.
If you are young, and not too obese, then your skin may firm up a lot. That depends largely on your genes, and your age.
There are absolutely no creams, vitamin preparations, lotions, supplements or anything else that will cause hanging skin to go away (lots and lots of companies make millions of dollars selling crap that is supposed to do this. But they all put in a quailfier, along the lines of: "Results will vary from one person to another".
The ONLY thing that will really get rid of excess skin is plastic surgery.
If you are young, and not too obese, then your skin may firm up a lot. That depends largely on your genes, and your age.
A former Army Medic (1959-1969), Registered Nurse (1969-2000), College Instructor (1984-1989) and a retired Rehabilitation Counselor. I am also a dual citizen of the USA and Canada.
High Weight 412 lbs. Date of Surgery 360.5 Present 170 lbs
High Weight 412 lbs. Date of Surgery 360.5 Present 170 lbs
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