Bigger with firmer skin or smaller but saggy? Vets please chime in!

I would love some feedback on this!  

I am finally beginning to see that I will most likely reach my goal in the next couple of months but I wondering if its the right number for me. I still have handfuls of chub all over me and I can't imagine that loosing 14 odd pounds is going to take care of that:(   And my utimate goal is to be firm and fit looking.  I am working out quite a bit to help that along.  I am 5.2 and 135 puts me at the high end of the healthy weight range.

At the moment I am a large size 12 and I think I look quite good in clothes.  Not skinny for sure but I fit most the clothes I want to.  Naked - not so pretty!  My belly and breasts are quite saggy looking and I am wondering if loosing more weight is going to make that (and my thighs) look worse instead of better.  What do you think?  I don't feel done but also don't want to make my skin worse. 

thanks in advance

 Keep working out.  In time things will firm up, but it will take time and weight lifting type work outs to help build muscle, not just aerobics to burn fat.  Everyone is different.  Depends on age and genetics as to how elastic your skin is.  I lost about 100 pounds when I was 40 and had no loose skin problems at all.  I'm now 63 and can already see that this time around I may have some skin issues when I get to goal.  My doc is already talking 'tummy tuck' and I'm putting him off, as at my age it really doesn't much matter, unless it becomes a rash issue or some such.  

I'm sure some of the vets on here who have reached their goal may have some advice as well.  Good luck!  

I had the same question when I was the same size and with the same amount of weight to lose as you are facing now.

I say, continue to take it off ... for a few reasons:

First, the skin will continue to tighten up a bit after you finish losing weight, especially if you are working out. I am seeing continual improvement in mine, althought there is plenty of sag.

Second, as you approach goal, 14 pounds translates to a big difference in size - probably you would go from a 12 to an 8.

Third, you will, like many of us, possibly regain 10 or so pounds - so make sure to stop at a place that this will not put you over where you want to be, weightwise.

Finally, if you are working out, you might want to be tracking body fat percentage rather than pounds as you approach, or reach, goal. I am working on decreasing overall body fat and have been very successful at it, even though I am not really losing weight anymore. It feels GREAT to convert fat to lean tissue - and even though I gained a bit over the holidays, my size didn't change at all (Going by measurements taken by my trainer) - and I lost some additional body fat.

I am 51 and lost 100 lbs.  Believe me when I say that skin was an issue.  On Jan 6th I had an abdominoplasty and brachioplasty (tt ans arms.)  It was pretty easy, little discomfort and back to work in 10 days.  My goal was to lose 100 pounds and no amount of flapping was going to stop me.  I would love to get the saggy thighs done but I must wait until I finish paying for the VSG and the current plastics.  If you don't want plastics in the future I guess you will have to find the weight that makes you happy both with tone and loss.  Good luck!

 Would you do plastic surgery? that is pretty important in your decision... I think going under goal is important.. after a while you will probably regain some weight and you dont want to have to freak out then.. I am not sure where the 130 pounds i lost went, but I have very little saggy skin.. I still want plastics though.. so I guess i see your point in that being a concern as well.. I think 14 pounds on someone that is 5'2 is a lot.. so maybe you should decide then? lol... good luck! sorry i wasnt that helpful 

Depends on your skin; if yours is like mine, it won't tighten up. I know because I lost 75 lb years ago and kept it off about 5 years--worked out hard and was in fantastic shape but the tummy 'flapper got almost empty but never went away, as did the ones on the back of my arms. This time I was 80 pounds heavier, and 20 years older so I'm under no illusion that my flabs are going to get tight unless I had the money to have them sugically repaired (I don't). That's one reason my first goal is 180. My sister lost almost all her excess fat after surgery but still had almost 20 lb of loose skin removed and her original wight was less than mine. Either way hell no, I would not stop losing just because of saggy boobs and belly. When I was yound and very fit I weighed about 160 anyway. So If I get below the 180 at all I'll be  happy, but still it's only a number.