Question:
How to avoid excess skin?

Hello. I have not had my surgery yet I still have about 3 monthes to go for insurance reasons. I am 33 y/o 5'6 and 245 so looking to lose about 100 pounds. Is there anything to do WHILE i lose it after surgery to keep excess skin to a minimal? Thank you.    — libragirl76 (posted on March 27, 2010)

March 27, 2010
Exercise, exercise, exercise. I did the treatmill, stationary bike, and elliptical for cardio... then weight training and elastic band work for my arms and legs. I also swam, on the advice of a personal trainer who told me the breast-stroke was the best thing for toning your batwings and tush. If you want, you should join SparkPeople.com. It's free, and they have videos and all kinds of things about exercising that you can choose even before you have your surgery. And they have it divided into Core, Upper body, and lower body... showing you how each one is done with a video demonstration. You can also log your food and exercise minutes, and anything else you'd like to keep track of. You can join special interest groups, and blog, and put up pictures, and give "gifts" and earn points and "trophies".... it is a great site. And if you sign up, tell them you heard about it from me, Erica Alikchihoo, and I'll get points, too.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

March 27, 2010
I am much older, 58, my tummy has no excess skin, but my thighs look like elephant skin. I haven't been to the gym because I am ill with a lot of issues, however when I recover from all of this I am going to go back to the gym. Once again Erica is correct. BTW Crystal, I was the same size you are and I lost 110 lbs, it just keeps coming off, however I am very compliant with what the NUT tells me to eat. Plus I have major issues with eating, it is a chore.
   — FSUMom

March 27, 2010
First off....no one get away from having loose skin BUT that being said....begin exercising now and continue post op. I walk a mile a day and Curve 3 days a week......religiously. My surgeon said that the skin will begin to shrink through out the resy of the 2nd year post op and then you will know how much you will really need to tend to plastic surgery wise. Good luck......
   — karensaporito

March 28, 2010
Thank you ladies! I realize there maybe some which is fine with me I just cant afford plastic surgery if alot that it is a problem. But I do plan on excersizing my behind off(long ago I did enjoy working out LOL) as of now I am just walking but guess its something. Erica I will for sure sign up for that and put your name down. Shelly way to go!!! But I hope you start to feel better sorry about that...
   — libragirl76

March 29, 2010
I lost 150 lbs and but because I had open RNY, I could not excerise like I wanted to right away. But eventualy worked my way up to vigorous swimming routines at the local pool and lake. It took me two years to tighten up my skin and I still have loose skin where ever there is damage (stretchmarks)...I started with just treading water and doing pool side exercise. My knees were really bad (not anymore!) so this was quite theraputic as well. The resistance in the water makes for some really excellent workouts...later I began swimming laps anyway I could get across the pool, without touching bottom, for 20 minutes straight every hour for as long as I stayed at the pool then treading water again in the deep end...The lifeguards at the pool called me the amazing shrinking woman! I was asked to be a life guard too! I still swim all summer on weekends and whenever I have free time and water to swim in!Wintertime, I usually gain several pounds and once I get in the water...It gone so quickly and I tone right back up! I even mow the lawn, rake leaves and planted gardens all over my yard just for extra work outs ( I HATE going to the gym, just not my thing) These things keep me in decent shape! I just bought 2 kayaks for extra workout and FUN!
   — .Anita R.

April 28, 2010
I was advised by an acquaintance that had also had WLS (RNY) that wearing a girdle will help A LOT. She is about 5'8 and was a little over 300lbs and she looks GREAT after loosing 170lbs. She said she wore a gurgle almost 24/7 and used shea butter and worked out ( even in the girdle). I will be taking her advise since it obviously worked for her.
   — Sweetaaaah