Weights vs. Cardio to reduce Excess Skin?

Hi,

I understand a lot has to do with genetics, but I'm curious to know from others experience in this journey if it's better to do more weights vs. cardio in order to reduce the chances of having excess skin? I'm getting sleeved in 4 weeks and want to make sure I do the most I can to reduce that possibility. I don't mind losing slowly just as long as it gives my body enough time for my skin to adjust. What is your experience with regards to this subject?

How many days a week and hours each day do you workout?

Do you do more weights than cardio?

How soon after your VSG did you start working out?

How many pounds on average did you lose each month?

My stats are:

• Female
• 38 yrs old
• Hispanic
• 5'4"
• 216 lbs

Thank you so much in advance for your feedback! Can't wait to start losing weight and seeing a healthier me! :)

Okay, same height and almost identical starting weight...I had floated between 205 and 215 for the previous couple of years before surgery.

However, age is against me...I am 58 so that part is in your favor.

I have excess skin but it's not horrid. But I have found that while exercise tones the muscles UNDER the skin and does make it seem to fit better, NOTHING will make it go away except getting it cut off. The skin is like a balloon...never used, it is nice and small and no wrinkles...but the more you fill it with air, the more wrinkled it is when deflated. Nothing makes that any different.

I went into my WLS to get rid of the co-morbids that were gonna kill me...if wrinkled skin is the price I pay for that, so be it.

I was 61 when I had RNY.  4'11" 220, now 124.  So age wasn't in my favor.  I do muscle pump, a weigh class 2x a week and Zumba 1-2x a week plus my farm work.  I do have excess skin but I look great in clothes and am off all meds. for co-morbidities.

You do have age on your side.  But it depends on how long you've been overweight.  If it hasn't been long, you've got a better chance of your skin "bouncing back" - if not, then maybe not.

I too had age against me.  I've bounced up and down in weight from the time I was 25 (had my first kid).  When I was 35 my skin bounced back good - at 50+, not so much.

 

 

Hi Jody,

 

I've been overweight for 6 years now since I had my first child. I never weighed more than 135 lbs until 2007 when I had my son. I have a total of 80 lbs to lose.

I didn't know it also depended on how long one is overweight on whether the skin would "bounce back"...good to know. :)

Thank you.

So no exercise reduces excess skin. Only time does that. But muscles fill it out And you need to strength train to build up muscles. Cardio burns calories which helps you to lose weight so you can *SEE* those muscles under there (because you already have some from years of hauling all that weight around) but strength training is what brings them out and makes them big enough that they replace some of the fat that used to be inside that skin.

 

I have pics in my profile.

Others have given good answers. It is a luck of the draw thing. I don't have much. I was 38 turning 39 when I got sleeved. Expect to lose 10% of your start weight month 1 and I averaged 7-10 pounds a month.

I started walking immediately and your doctor will tell you when to start with more vigorous workouts.

I do something daily but my workouts are not hardcore. I walk and do pushups, arm weights, squats, stomach exercises.

Hi,

I saw your pictures and read your posts. What an amazing journey and you look GREAT! You mentioned "We can't ever forget that obesity is TREATED by this surgery not CURED." 

Its possible to lose almost all the excess skin( as a lightweight) .I  do speak from experience .  Noone has ever guessed that I weighed more before ... or  called my skin or post op figure saggy .   Usually people call me genetically tall n skinny .... lol :) 

Heres how I did and continue to do it .  I exfoliate every single day by using  salicylic acid containing  scrubs ( neutrogena makes a great and cheap grapefruit scented bodywash find it in the acne isle )  and wash my face with the same twice a day .  People often  ask me what creams i use .. frankly practically nothing .  

I used to RUN every morning in the weight loss phase... running makes everything SHAKE  and I think the body responds by tightening the whole bag lol ...

 

I also swim seriously ( try for a mile ) whenever I get the opportunity  to tone up the areas  running doesn't reach  .. like the back  and underarms ... swimming uses every tiny muscle in the body and gives U a beautiful lean look .  This pic was taken after five days of swimming ..

Finally I keep the weight off by moving every day ( Im on my feet sculpting, gardening and doing Sandy recovery now ) and eating low fat .  Personally I LIKE carbs .. they give me a LOT of energy plus im semi-vegetarian so I really have little choice lol .  I TRY to make my carbs fresh garden grown veggie laden though ...

 

 

 

 

 

Wow you look great! I could never imagine being in a bikini but hope to do so someday. :)

Thanks so much for the tips!