Question:
How much can I expect to tone if I really exercise now?

Hi! I had my RNY on 1/27/03, and after 11 months am down from 298 to 175. I'd never thought I'd be here! I do work out, but light, maybe once or twice a week on the treadmill or with weights. But, I'm going on vacation in May and would really like to look GREAT, so I want to kick it into high gear. The last month or so, I'm starting to notice how saggy I'm getting, saggy arms, saggy tummy, saggy thighs. You don't notice it with clothes on, but when they are off...shorts and tank top season won't be that great for me. So, if I work out now, like a mad woman, will I tone? Will the flab go away? or am I doomed to have this until (if) I see a plastic surgeon and have my own extreme makeover? Thanks!    — CrystalBroj (posted on November 28, 2003)

November 28, 2003
Well, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is if you start a good weight training program now, you should be able to build some muscle...on female "normies" it averages 1lb lean muscle a week...for us it's a little less because of the reduced calories. Now for the bad news...it won't really help the sagging skin. Skin and muscle have a very tenuous relationship (on my arms and thighs at least!). You will look better because you will have shape, but it will not eliminate skin sagging. I have weight trained and exercised rigorously since 3 months BEFORE my surgery and still have saggy skin on my upper thighs, stomach, and arms. Time does help, so you should see some improvement, but in severe cases, plastic surgery is the only true salvation. Good Luck! Lap RNY 6/25/03 276/174/160
   — Rachael B.

November 28, 2003
I am 9 months out and have gone from 248 to 140.5. Since the 6 week mark, I have been a the gym 3x a week with a fairly active workout. I definitely have plenty of skin that I'd prefer to be without.I doubt you'll be able to eliminate all your excess skin but you'll be better than if you didn't step up the pace at all. Good luck!
   — Fixnmyself

December 2, 2003
We were told at our support group meeting that in most cases, there is nothing that can be done about saggy skin. The reason the skin is saggy is because it is damaged from being stretched and has lost it's elasticity. The dr. also said that it also matters how someone carries their excess weight too. For example, someone that carries most of their weight in their tummy would have a better chance of not having flabby arms, but would def. have a problem w/ the tummy. Make sense?
   — Lynette H.