Question:
Skin elasticity remedies -- bunk or not??

I've been doing a lot of research and it seems almost equally divided on what folks think about vitamins and other remedies to increase the elasticity of skin post-op. I personally am not concerned about what my appearance will be for the most part -- my runway model days are long over. I'm 48 and have had two children. I carry a lot of weight in my stomach, derriere and thighs. It's very unlikely that I'd go through the pain of having anything done to my thighs or arms and I'll only do my apron if it's medically necessary or if it's just too gross to live with. But some people here swear by their "remedies". Some suggestions I've read are: body wrapping, lots of exercise, drink lots of water and eat your protein. I also read in an independent WLS journal from somone who swore that the use of Nivea lotion tightened her skin. Another view is that the skin needs time to catch up with the weight loss and people recommend waiting at least 18 months post-op before considering a TT (unless, of course, rashes are severe). Again, I don't plan on entering any beauty contest but I do have unpleasant visions of having to tuck in my excess skin like a bulky sweatshirt. LOL What do you all think and what have your experiences been?    — antiques55 (posted on May 20, 2003)

May 20, 2003
Lori, I think there are a lot of factors that influence how the skin responds after surgery and weight loss. There is age (I'm 47), previous prgnancies (I had two big babies), genetics (my mom is 83 and looks much younger) and the length of time one has been carrying the extra weight in the abdominal area (most of my adult life). Any benefit from any lotion or potion I might try is most likely going to come from the massage. Otherwise, exercise can help tighten the underlying muscles, but that's about it. Once the skin fibers are torn and scarred, (as in stretch marks), there is not a lot that will change that. I am losing slowly, and I imagine I will have some lose abdominal tissue that won't go away. I am only 6 months out, and I don't plan on looking into plastic surgery for about another year. I don't believe there is any magic lotion out there that will "tighten" skin, or plastic surgeons wouldn't be doing face lifts, breast lifts or anything else where baggy skin is a problem.
   — koogy

May 20, 2003
Skin elasticity is determined by your genes, your age (younger is better), pregnancies (none is better) and how slowly or quickly you lose. Our support group had a plastic surgeon talk to us recently and he said that no exercise, and no creams will help tighten or reduce what is left after the weight loss. Excess skin can only be removed.
   — Cindy R.

May 20, 2003
Ditto Cindy & Susan. . . do the research and unless the remedies make you feel better don't waste your money!!
   — Denise W.

May 20, 2003
IMHO, age and genetics will determine 95% of how your skin will look. Exercise (weights) can increase the size of your muscles, thus filling out some of that hanging skin (this helped my arms some) but NOTHING short of my LBL and breast lift was going to help this big, hanging, flapping tire of excess skin around my middle and the boobs that dragged on the floor after losing 140 pounds. Being 42, nursing my kids, and having had a set of twins no doubt contributed to having lots of stretched out skin. All the protein, vitamins, exercise and water in the ocean did not help my skin (but DID contribute greatly to my health in general :)
   — mom2jtx3

May 20, 2003
Thank you all for confirming what I already thought was true. Yes, a very small price to pay for improved health and a chance to have a life worth living. I have no false hopes about being able to wear anything less than knee length shorts without "putting all out there" for everyone to see. LOL I am so far beyond caring about any kind of youthful appearance and am not sure whether I'd entertain thoughts of a TT or breast lift. I'll tuck in my deflated tire and be quite happy I'm able to do that.
   — antiques55

May 21, 2003
At 5 years postop, I've seen lots of post-ops. There really is no way to predict how extensive your skin sag will be. Younger skin is more resillient and darker skin people have fewer problems. I do know that exersize helps a bit; but, water and lotions etc. don't help at all. Protein is vital; but, not for the skin issues.
   — mandy S.