Question:
What can I do about these flabby arms? Help...
Hi. I'm four months post op. Down 80 pounds, but my arms aren't getting any smaller. I have to wear big shirts so that the arms fit. I am hoping to not need any plastic surgery (doesn't look like that's going to happen). Does anyone know of an exercise that really works? I've been using firming lotion, perhaps it will help in the long run. Thanks for your halp. — Sarah K. (posted on September 11, 2002)
September 11, 2002
Hi, I lost 70 lbs and even though I lost in my arms, I have alot of flab.
A good exercise for that part of your arms is this: Using one weight,
hold it over your head with both hands and then bend your arms at your
elbows with your hands going behind your head. You will feel it in the part
of the arms thats flabby. Good luck.
— Peggy D.
September 11, 2002
Hi there. Totally relate, lots of loose skin in my upper arms. At 30 now,
I'm waiving twice! Ugh! I exercise at the gym and last week discussed my
problem with them. They advised me to instead of doing regular weights on
land (that was my original plan) to do weights in the water. No problem
since I love to exercise in the water. These "weights" look a
lot like a styrofoam dumbell and they have different sizes to make it more
difficult or easier. They told me that because you're working them in the
water you have resistance both directions, pulling to you and away from
you. I could really feel it. I can't guarantee it'll work because I just
started but was told that for toning, working out in the water is best.
— Shelly S.
September 11, 2002
I am 8 months out from surgery and was told maybe next Spring or Summer I
can get the arm surgery. Supposedly loose skin does NOT respond to
exercise. I water exercise and also do regular resistance training - but
am hoping for insurance reconstructive help in a few months - or I will
pay for it myself. Ugh! I don't need a parachute to jump from an airplane
---just flap the arms.
char
— charlene M.
September 11, 2002
I had my arms done two years ago and - other than wls itself - it was the
best thing I ever did for my appearance. I paid for it myself and would do
it again in a heartbeat. My surgeon is great, my arms look terrific, the
scars have almost completely faded, and I have me some serious little
muscles going on. Start saving your pennies is my advice. I'm all
sleeveless shirts and tank tops all summer long; tons of fun! hugs,
Ann RNY 9/10/99 260/130
— [Deactivated Member]
September 11, 2002
As the last poster said, batwing deformity is due in part to our genetics
(thanks grammie)and part excessive weight loss (104 and counting). At any
rate NO amount of exercise, or cream will tone up this area (confirmed by
several doc friends of mine, sigh!). Exercise will indeed build the
underlaying muscle, but with my 4-5 inch wings I'm afraid of lookin like a
muscle bound shar-pei. BTW its the same for most "hangin" skin.
It's been likened to what happens to an inflated balloon...it never really
goes quite back to its former shape. My thighs are almost as bad as my
arms, but it's a small price to pay for feeling as good as I do =)
— Denise W.
September 11, 2002
you're bound to have plenty of excess skin.. and I can only confirm what
others have said.. no amount of exercise will change the skin.. HOWEVER..
you can do lots of toning exercises with weights and build some muscle mass
and that will help to make them smaller...you can burn the fat off, you
just can't change the skin.... good luck
— Lisa C.
September 11, 2002
The one thing i am pretty sure of, on a scale, underarm surgery is probably
the cheapest (if you have to pay for it yourself), but i wouldn't give up
just yet! Take pics of your arms from the worse angles and when you apply
for the surgery make sure they are included! The other thing i am going to
check out for any post-op plastic surgery is donating your excess skin to
the hospital for burn victims. I understand that there is a website for
this but i haven't checked it out yet. There is a SHORTAGE of skin for this
type of surgery ---- obviously it has to be healthy skin! What better than
to exchange your skin for the services of the surgeon to fix your
underarms?? I'll be ready to flap my "wings" when the time
comes!!lol! Good luck!
— Adele F.
September 11, 2002
I'm pretty sure that the "donate skin to burn victims" posts are
urban legands. I've never heard of anyone who actually was able to find a
hospital to agree to do this. Maybe it is possible, but I would certainly
look for other options.
— Lori B.
September 11, 2002
I checked with the Atlanta Burn Center and they say no one takes excess
skin as donations. They would not give me a pat answer as to why but most
of it is do to the cost. If they take a "live" donors skin, they
have to repair that place correctly, which means plastic surgery and it's
too costly for them. Sorry, there may be others who do but I have not found
any yet. I agree with the "legend".
— Gina D.
September 12, 2002
OK: I have the answer on the skin donation thing. The reason they do not
take the skin for burn victims from live donors is because of the extra
testing and red tape they have to go through to use it. They apparently get
plenty of skin from donated cadavers. (EYYEEEWWW! Hope I never need any!
Here's the link that explains in detail:
http://www.transweb.org/reference/articles/donation/excess_skin_donation.html
=) BUT there is a research facility that will send skin donation packets to
give to the surgeon. The donated skin will be used in research on skin
regeneration and other cool stuff like that. It doesn't cost you or the dr
anything and the research facility gets the skin. I had the name and phone
number of the facility and now I can't find it for the life of me! :( I
gave it to Eric--maybe I can get him to post it on the site somewhere.
— ctyst
September 12, 2002
Found it in the library! Here is my original answer to a question about
this:
<cite>OK--Here is the scoop: The place is called Genzyme
Laboratories. The number is 1-800-453-6948 x8244. The contact's name is
Dawn Reilly. Genzyme uses the tissue for burn research and tissue regrowth.
They are trying to find ways to turn small amounts of skin into larger
amounts of skin, from what I understand. Glad I could find it. Thanks to
Carla @ NeWeigh for providing the info!</cite>
— ctyst
July 21, 2004
I have found that doing pushups works very well for me. Of course I had to
start out doing them on my knees, but I got through them. It tones your
whole arm up, triceps, biceps, and even forearms. Just vary your hand
position when you go down, and it will work a whole new area, even
shoulders and abs get worked with PushUps!!!
Enjoy!!!!
— Deborah T.
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