Question:
WILL EXERCISE HELP WITH LOOSE SKIN ISSUE'S

I will have to loose about 250 lbs. I was wondering If exercise and toning will help. I'm so afraid of the skin storys I hear abought. I don't know whats worse the weight or the skin? very scared!    — tj1986 (posted on September 3, 2009)

September 3, 2009
Personally I got the surgery and I am still wondering if I would have been better off without the surgery because of the excess skin. I have heard though, that pilates is supposed to help with the toning and everything. I have yet to see any results. Good luck
   — Nina15137

September 3, 2009
Kaiser will cover plastic surgery to remove excess stomach skin if it completely covers the pubic area and if your primary care doctor documents that you're getting bad rashes under the loose skin. Good for you taking this big step to get healthy! God bless!
   — Janell C.

September 3, 2009
I was told by my doctors that exercise will help, but won't totally prevent the loose skin. If you have 250 pounds to lose you are most likely going to have some. HOWEVER, you will be healthier! I would much rather have loose skin and be healthy than to remain overweight and end up dying years before my time because of it. The loose skin is an issue that can be dealt with. Try not to be afraid. The RNY was the best favor that I have ever done for myself. Go for it! Good luck!
   — PaulaJ

September 4, 2009
To tell whether you will have loose skin or not, is hard to say. It all depends on how heavy you are and how much weight you have to loose. Also, some people have good genes and have good elasticity in their skin and it bounces back. But it is like a balloon, when you let the air out. You know how it looks afterwards if you blow the balloon up a lot, but if you only blow it up a little it isn't all stretched out. Each person is different, but you can kind of tell if you have good elasticity on your own skin. Excercise usually will not help if the skin is left with no bounce back to it. That is why so many people end up with the "Aprons" and seek out surgury to remove the skin. Excercise will help with other issues like building up strength in your muscles but won't tone the skin back into shape.
   — Kristy

September 4, 2009
i don't want to upset you, but i was told that because with RNY you loose the wt so fast your body can't keep up and no matter what you do you are going to have loose skin. i was 26 when i had RNY and have lost 100lbs and i need a tummy tuck (i probably have about 8-10lbs of loose skin on my belly). my arms have a little loose skin but not bad at all and my boobs look like golf balls in the bottom of a sock. i also need to have my inner thighs tucked, but i had problems with them (fatty pouches developed as i gained wt)even before my RNY. the point is that you need to just be realistic with yourself and know you will have loose skin, but that the loose skin is a small price to pay for being a lot healthier. hope this helps...Holly
   — RNlvnCARSON

September 4, 2009
If you are older than 35, your skin has lost its resiliency (and it gets worse with age). Exercise will help tone your muscles, which will help improve your look somewhat. However, with that much weight loss, there WILL be skin sagging. By losing the weight and increasing your activity level (exercise), your health will improve immensely. You will feel better, have more energy, and many of your co-morbidity issues will be decreased or resolved. You'll be able to return to activities and a lifestyle you have not enjoyed for years. Isn't that why you had the surgery in the first place? Also, there is always plastic surgery. Start looking into surgeons, costs, coverage, and ways to save money to pay for it now, so you'll be ready if you decide to go that route. Be sure to check insurance coverage for plastic surgery if you have serious medical rashes, sores, or infections caused by the skin folds once you have begun loosing weight. If they cover for that, be sure to see you doctor every time you have a problem, and make sure he documents everything in his notes, including measurements and pictures if necessary. Let him know why you might need the extra documentation, so that he/she is thorough on the exam and documentation. I hope that helps. Good luck on your adventure toward good health. I have lost 110 pounds and feel 20 years younger. My aches and pains are gone, and I can do things I had given up being able to do before the surgery. Life is fun again. Don't let your fears intimidate you. Look forward to the exciting rewards. KimM
   — KimM

September 5, 2009
Loose skin is little consequense to feeling better and being healthier. If you have damaged skin...like stretch marks, etc you will have hanging skin. Skin damaged will not reverse itself. If you are older, it will also be harder. But If you are younger with pliable undamaged skin, there is no reason that it wouldn't go back into shape. Perhaps not totally..you are not going to have a body like a teenager, but certainly it will go back some. I have very little hanging skin and what little I do have..belly, upper thighs, doesn't bother me much. If my husband can deal, so can I. Don't let the possiblity of skin issues cloud your jugdement on getting the surgery. If you are doing it for cosmetic reasons, then perhaps, but if you are doing it to better your health, feel better, be able to do things you cannot now, then by all means, get the surgery. Best of luck to you! Hugs, kim
   — gpcmist

September 8, 2009
I wanted to share I have lose skin I do not like it but I would rather have the lose skin then the 180 pounds I have lost, Best of luck and remember to live
   — Tammi Sandoval

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