Question:
Is there anything that helps your skin shrink while losing weight?
I am preparing to have surgery hopefully in Febuary. I want the VSG as long as my insurance approves. I have very large arms and legs and I have been wondering if there are any lotions or supplements that help with your skin shrinking some while losing weight. I know there is plastic surgery but other than that what have you found to help? — Lisa von Wallmenich (posted on January 10, 2009)
January 10, 2009
Congrads on deciding to have surgery. I don't know of anything invented. I
hope you have very elastic skin that bounces back. I have to have my
arms,breast and a thigh lift. But I am going to wait for about 2 years
after mt weight stablizes. Good luck on your surgery.
— [Deactivated Member]
January 10, 2009
Iknow someone who swears by lotion. She said she puts lotion on three to
six times every day, and she doesn't really need plastic surgery. I know I
am going to try the lotion trick. I'm not looking forward to plastic
surgery...heck I'm still in pain from my lapband and those are tiny
incisions(however you spell that!)
— [Deactivated Member]
January 10, 2009
This is what I was told by a dermotologist and a plastic surgeon. First of
all, get your protein. Then, stay hydrated inside and out. This means
getting ALL your fluids every day and using emollients to keep skin moist.
Use an occlusive cream (I use Johnsons 24 hour moisturizer) right after
bathing while skin is still moist and then the other part of the (if you
bathe at night it's morning, if you bathe in the morning this is at night)
use something with antioxidents (I use Jergens, they have one with
antioxidants). Also, in the shower EVERY DAY, exfoliate your skin to
promote blood flow. Lastly EXERCISE EVERY DAY. It really helps! You
could start this now while you're waiting for your surgery to get in the
habit.
— Shirley D.
January 10, 2009
I had/have big arms and legs too...The first year and a half my skin
hung...It was quite disturbing to me. But at year two with serious
swimming and weights I was able to tighten a whole lot of my skin...Just
when I thought I'd have to live with the flaps and drapes...It just began
to shrink up....Muscles look afar better under loose skin too...I use
Aveeno Active Naturals with Copper or Nivea with CoQ10...( i go back and
forth between the two) Your skin truly depends on dumb luck, good genes,
elastic, memory, age...hydration...Vitamins....I can tell you one thing for
certain though...any areas that are damaged (stretch marks) Will not
tighten or mend. I have areas that are wrinkly, jiggly and just
loose...It's a Trade off for being thin...and healthy...But there's still
plastic ...so if it's cannot live with, you do still options...It will be a
while after you stop losing that your skin begins to shift and
change...It's odd...My entire body after I lost all the weight just kinda
shifted and moved...My legs and arms filled a little and my waist, breasts
and butt tightened. I think I can safely give swimming the credit for that,
along with the lotions and all...Good luck!
— .Anita R.
January 10, 2009
Lisa, I find it so funny that we are willing to be obese and not be
concerned about skin issues until we might lose the weight. your skin has
stretched, and if they are large now, you will have skin issues when you
lose weight. I am 5 years post op (almost), and lost over 100 pounds and
got a tt. Glad I did it all, but I have theighs that look like charpae
puppies (I call them mut and Jeff), and my arms wave like grand old flags.
I choose to not have plastic surgery because after the tt, I learned it was
not worth the pain or effort to have surgery to remove skin. It was 3
weeks of difficult recovery, not moving, drain tubes, just a rough time
waiting for recovery. I'll take my flabby skin. I especially will take my
flabby skin against what used to be a terribly obese frame that was
miserable to live in my own skin, tight as it was. You fight to lose the
weight, there are no miracle creams or things that will spare you skin
issues, but please don't let that stop you from losing weight and getting
healthy. Take care, Patricia P.
— Patricia P
January 10, 2009
Lots of protein and lots and lots of excerise
— Bette Drecktrah
January 10, 2009
The proper exercise is the best way to prevent the sagging skin. I don't
believe that there is any miracle lotion or cream out there that will
prevent your skin from sagging, it just isn't possible or NONE of us would
have the "bat wings" or sagging thighs, would we?? I think that
using a vitamin E cream/lotion can be beneficial, as long as you are
exercising, to help the elasticity in your skin.
Good luck.
— anitak
January 11, 2009
It varies from individual to individual. I think the biggest factor is age.
When I lost weight (before bypass) in my early 40's, the skin responded
better -- though never snapped back, that's for sure. Now, at 56, and after
bypass 15 mos. ago (and being in menopause), the empty skin just hangs
there. I have exercised intensively, lifted weights, etc. with no skin
firming results. Someone made an analogy of a balloon after the air leaks
out, which seems accurate to me.
— Cathy 1.
January 11, 2009
When I was on Weight Watchers I used St. Ives Collagen Elastin. Try to use
it at least 4 times a day and drink plenty of water. That is the true key
along with exercise. Good Luck.
— donnapusser
January 11, 2009
I know that you are just asking for advice about the excess skin, but like
someone else noted - don't let that keep you from getting surgery/losing
wt. When I posed that to a friend of mine before I decided to get WLS she
said " I hate to tell you, but you have that excess skin now, it is
just filled with fat." I had RNY 2-28-08, have lost 185lbs and have
some hanging skin but the alternative to being morbidly obese was horrid.
I do find that proper diet and excercise helps.
— AuntPamcakes4six
January 11, 2009
Nope. In fact my surgeon mentioned at a post op support session just last
week that there is no way around it. Of course it is a problem porportional
to the amount of weight you lose. As a 6'2" guy, I can see the excess
skin, but losing 100 pounds was important for health and looks are only
secondary. There are body suits and lingerie that may help you feel less
self conscious if it is an issue. You will be very glad you had the
surgery...don't let a little skin get in the way.
— Bill_Nagle52
January 11, 2009
How about starting an exercise program? Just doing light exercise will
enable your body to start working and help with tightening up skin as you
lose weight. All those lift surgeries are fine if they are in fact
necessary. Make your body do as much work as it can on its own. And
exercise isn't a dirty word, it actually helps. I used to weigh almost 500
pounds. I'm now at 197. Still have about 71 pounds to go but exercise has
helped me a great deal. At 54 years old this is no easy task but I am
doing it. I applaud anyone who tries to have surgery because there are
benefits. One of the easiest exercises to start is swimming. The weight
helps with body support. Whatever you decide Good Luck and God Bless,
vinnigirl, retired RN
— vinnigirl
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