Loose Skin (Upper Arms)

[sinda 0]

Hi everybody.

After loosing a substantial amount of weight, I am finding myself with quite a bit of loose skin on my upper arms. (I affectionately {?} refer to them as the "batwings.") If I should have skin removal surgery it won't be for quite a while--not until I'm closer to my goal weight--so I thought I'd ask if anyone has any suggestions of ways to deal with this skin in the meantime. It makes me disinclined to wear sleeveless (or even short-sleeved) shirts, and it's been hot this summer! Does anybody know of some sort of shirtless sleeves or something I could wear over them that wouldn't make me get overly warm? I'm thinking perhaps simple sleeves I could wear under another shirt, rather than simply throwing a long-sleeved shirt over whatever else I'm wearing. Preferably something that could work with a lot of different outfits.

Good idea/bad idea? Any other suggestions?

[reverie 49]

A cardigan?

[aroundthetown 8]

A shrug? I used to wear a tank top with a shrug on top, but now I don't give a DAMN about how my arms look. I've come to the conclusion that trying to "disguise" my body doesn't work, I mean people still know I'm fat in long sleeves or in short ones. So, why be miserable and hot when I could be cooler and happy? Self confidence looks better to me personally than elaborate body hiding measures anyways!

[NJGirl32 43]

I found a cute shrug at Macy's it has a cap sleeve sort of -it doesn't cover your arms per say-but it helps to prevent drawing attention to them. I also have a cotton, short sleeve, zip up hooded jacket the does the trick. I think it's suppose to be an active/workout type jacket but I put it on over tank tops.

I totally agree with the poster above- no one really cares about your batwings and you should totally feel free to wear whatever you want!

PS- I heard the surgery for upper arms has a lot of visible carring accosicated with it so I am not sure what would be worse. I would say to come to terms with your body and to make peace with it. We don't have to aim for perfection just improving ourselves

[sinda 0]

It's not just about appearances here (though, admittedly, that's part of it). Today I was wearing a sleeveless dress with nothing over it because I thought it looked better without a sweater, and I didn't care that much about the skin.

This is also about holding the skin in place while I'm working out or whatever, so it's not chafing. I feel like something similar to a sleeve would hold everything in so I'm not dealing with rubbing. Surely there's got to be something out there for that?

[54Shirley 105]

I go to a Ladies Boutique called CATHERINES also on line. They have the market on Raglan sleeves. Or 3/4 sleeve if your not familiar with them.

I know it's to hot now, but Fall, Winter, Spring I love to live in them, and their choices, and style are very nice.

If you have not shopped there before, then I would stop in and take a look, or check out on line. It's nice stuff.

It helps hide all the skin.

Nicer cloths in the store, then on line..

[Petunias 2]

My daughter had the surgery in 2005 to remove the excess skin on her arms after losing 100 pounds. It was very painful and the scars are still tender. They have turned from red to white now so they are less noticeable. She says even with the scars and pain she would do it again.

I, myself have "batwings" and am trying to over come being self conscious about them. They are incredibly uncomfortable and I will be going to to the website mentioned above and checking it out, thanks.

[hopetolose 192]

That is the one area where I dont think I am losing enough of. It seems that my arms seem to be still kinda big to what I am losing in other areas. I think I need to work them out a little bit more. I have the Batwings happening as well. But I think they run in my family, I remember my grandma having them as well. LOL I think this might be something that we just have to accept about ourselves or work like heck to try to get them to trim down.

[Melissannde 41]

It's not just about appearances here (though, admittedly, that's part of it). Today I was wearing a sleeveless dress with nothing over it because I thought it looked better without a sweater, and I didn't care that much about the skin.

This is also about holding the skin in place while I'm working out or whatever, so it's not chafing. I feel like something similar to a sleeve would hold everything in so I'm not dealing with rubbing. Surely there's got to be something out there for that?

To hold the skin in place while exercising, you could look at "shooter sleeves" that basketball players wear.

There are also compression shirts.. some are made for hot weather wearing.. UnderArmor makes some called "Heat Gear". Academy has its own line called BCG, but I don't remember if theirs is designed for hot and cold weather.

For every day wear or hiding or whatever of arms.. look at a line called "slimpressions". I don't have any, but I know others who love it.

I'm a bit self-conscious about my arms, but I refuse to wear long sleeves in the summer to hide them. I look at the loose and saggy skin as my badge of courage that I have worked so diligently to lose the weight.

[klariade 7]

Seriously, I should be able to fly with the amount of excess skin on my arms! LOL! I wear a lot of 3/4 length sleeves year-round, but honestly in the summer it's just too darn hot to worry about it. Nobody has said anything to me about my arms, the only comments I get are how good I look! I wore a strapless gown at my wedding, and even bought some cute sleeveless sundresses. I figure heck, I've lost over 150 pounds I'm gonna flaunt my new body (tastefully and within reason, of course). Besides, even with all the extra skin I still look better than I did when the skin was all filled in.