Question to people that have lost a lot of weight

[Gingin33 2]

This might sound unusual but it's a concern for me. Not a huge one mind you. So, I have looked through a lot of before and after pictures. Not here really but in general over the years. Amazing transformations. The one thing i've noticed a lot. The people that have lost a lot of weight sometimes look 10-20 years older. Now dont get me wrong, I realize losing the weight is mostly for health reasons but I worry that when I do lose the weight, will I look older? Has this happened to anyone here and how do you deal with it? Do you regret it?

[Josephine 1]

It happens to most people over about 35 or 40 because fat fills out the wrinkles in your face and when that fat is gone, the wrinkles are visable.

[attitudefree 2]

I heard this same thing earlier this week. I figure lose the weight first and then tackle the new problems. The extra weight is a major health problem- looking older isn't

[deedee 5]

I noticed the same thing on some people this summer when looking around the net for before/after successes. One thing I did think of though is that a lot of times many people's faces just need some extra time to settle back in after the weight loss. It's just a theory, but like pp said, looking older is not a health issue like obesity.

On a side note, my mom is in her mid-fifties and in her thirties and early forties always looked a lot older than she really was (she had a lot of stresses then). Now most people think she is much younger than she really is and people that knew her younger comment all the time how she somehow stopped aging. I think stress (and losing a lot of weight quickly probably qualifies as stressful for our bodies) can age us, but maybe it's not permanent?

Good luck on your journey!

Edited November 6, 2009 by deedee

[*Lib* 5]

I am only 31 so I don't think my weightloss has made me look older.

[lucygoose 0]

Hi Gin,

I am 47 and need to loose about 100 pounds. My surgery is scheduled for Dec 8th. I have 3 sister's (I am a twin) and 2 living parents who all weigh much more than I do. Every single person in my family has serious comorbitors. I have hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and arthritis and I am probably the healthiest of the bunch. Everyone is objecting to this surgery as if I have lost my mind. Their most recent claim is that I am going to look years and years older once I loose the weight (that is if I survive the surgery according to them). My response to that is - I had rather be dancing looking older than slowly dying looking young!

Has anyone else had to deal with such strong negative reactions from family? One of my sister's actually told me that she thought being fat was more healthy than having surgery. She thought I should try a fat farm for a couple of weeks. LOL.. I had to use Dr. Phil's line on her and ask her "How's that worked for you?". LOL

[attitudefree 2]

lol and what was her response?

[lucygoose 0]

haha I actually apoligized for being snippy before she came back at me. Then I just told them that my health care decisions aren't their health care decisions. Ultimately I am the only person who is responsible for ME. (I of course value husband's insights but still the buck stops with me). Maybe they will all agree to disagree!

[Kikiphiasmom 44]

My best friend lost about 90lbs on her own with out surgery and she looks older now. We are the same age (31) and she looks like she is 36. So yea its a concern, but I'd rather look a bit older than to have all this weight on me and then die at 36. Just MOISTURIZE .. its the Key to keeping the youthfull appearance .. :-)

[sweetie333 3]

I am scared to look older. ok I will moisturize!

[Chancie 65]

I'm 50

I've lost 148 pounds... and I don't have that turkey neck going on!! LOL..... I was worried about that ( ino ino ino....... vainity)

I think I look older....... but I've had alot of people tell me I look 10 years younger.... were they just being nice?? who knows.... But I can say this....... I FEEL 10 years younger!

I'll take the looking older/feeling better any day to the being morbidly obese!

[carolyn24seven 11]

I looked at alot of before and afters. I have to say they look younger to me. Vegas Angel for example. wow she looks like she dropped 20 years. Now these are not close up pictures so we cannot see the wrinkles. Just far away full body shots. Another really good looking after is Susan the supermoderator of this site. She just looks hot. I did see a close up of her face and it looked fine? So I am not going to worry about it. I think I will just deal with what ever comes. At least we will be healthy enough to deal with it. LOL

[Tiffykins 673]

I'm 32, and people have told me I look like I'm in my early to mid-20's. I've been carded for cigarettes on several occasions. I moisturize twice daily with Olay regenerist, and use Bare Minerals foundation/well rested and a Bare Minerals Face primer to help cover up the tiny lines. I am 5 months out, down 90lbs, and don't notice any extra wrinkles with the exception of some on my neck. I use a toner and tightener on my neck that lasts all day so I only notice a little loose skin on my neck in the mornings.

All of my friends and family have commented that I look several years younger. My husband is 6 years younger, and he told me just yesterday, "you are starting to look younger than me".

Even if I did age a little more/faster, I wouldn't trade how I feel to have less wrinkles and fine lines.

[Jane_J 117]

haha I actually apoligized for being snippy before she came back at me. Then I just told them that my health care decisions aren't their health care decisions. Ultimately I am the only person who is responsible for ME. (I of course value husband's insights but still the buck stops with me). Maybe they will all agree to disagree!

Hi lucygoose. I really agree with you. I have lost 6 stone now and my skin is not going too bad actually. I take 3 tablets of marine collegen before bed time on the basis that it will help my skin to re knit itself while I sleep. Seems to be working, and I have always moisturised, for the last few years with Nivea Soft.

If you do this procedure and show them the outcome maybe they will all follow you later. Some people are leaders and others are followers.

I do wish you all the best and assure you that for me it is the best thing I have ever done bar marrying my DH and having my twins.

:thumbup:

Jane

Edited November 7, 2009 by Jane_J
spelling disasters

[Gingin33 2]

Thanks for all your input everyone. I just want to say I agree. Of course it is a concern for me but my health is the biggest concern over some wrinkles. I'm 36. Have been fat for about 20 years. Maybe I'm young enough that my skin will do well. Right now I just want to get this fat off of me and worry about the skin issues later. Good luck to everyone on their journey.