Starting BMI around 40 loose skin?

[Abster 8]

I'm having surgery next month. I'm 5'3" and my BMI is about 40 (240lbs). Wondering if people with similar starting stats who have already done this ended up with lots of loose skin?

I'm interested to know whether there is a correlation between starting BMI and the amount of excess skin after the weight is lost.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I have similar stats, but I started about 23 pounds heavier. I am 65 pounds down and my skin is bouncing back pretty well. My arms are the crappiest part, HELLO WATERWINGS!

It all depends on age, skin condition, where you hold your weight and genetics.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

I am interested, too, in what sleeve vets have to say about this one. I started out 3 weeks ago at 5'4", 235 lbs and 53" waist. Somewhere yesterday, a sleever suggested Sweet Almond Oil for stimulating, moisturizing, and softening the skin to minimize jiggles and wrinkles. So, I looked it up and liked what I read. Walgreens sells it online, but not in the stores. It is on sale as of today at $3.99 for 4 ounces, way cheaper than any other place I looked at. With a $25 order, shipping is free, so I bought 8 of them. If nothing else, it will be fun getting a rubdown everyday. Plus as much as the flesh resists, I know with my knower that I am going to have to step up weight training.

[swimmom 124]

It depends on a lot of factors, especially age. I lost 100 pounds in my early 20's and had no significant problems with the loose skin. I am now 70+ pounds down - 22 pounds from my goal. And now I am in my 40's - and the loose skin is much worse. I tried a bunch of the creams, lotions, oils, and potions - nothing has helped significantly. I think is just something I will need to live with until I can afford some plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon also said that you can do 1000 stomach crunches in a day, or even an hour, and it will do nothing to eliminate the excess skin - it is not muscle, it is skin, so the only way to effectively tighten it is through surgery. And the older you are, the worse the loose skin will be. I finally decided that I would rather have loose skin (that I can hide with clothes) than a bunch of fat to fill it up.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

Well, if my insurance doesn't pay for a Tummy Tuck, I just resort to elastic waist pants......just in a smaller size I guess.

[TBodmer71 245]

Spanx has become this girls new best friend. I am down 36lbs and I have 2 more days before surgery. But my newly found friend "SPANX" is gonna be with me for about 2 years when I'll meet my new besty.....The plastic surgeon.

[nsquared 232]

I've lost a fair amount of weight and miraculously, have no excess skin. I started at a BMI slightly higher than 40 and started exercising 7 days post op. I think that helps a bit. I think there are a few factors that affect skin during weight loss; length of time obese, skin elasticity, moisture, exercise and age.

I am still not at goal so there is still time for excess skin but I am fairly optimistic now that i am close.I say, work your program, stay hydrated and use a good moisturizer. If all else fails, surgery is always an option.

[happilysleeved 114]

I am 5' 3.5" and am 42. I also began with a 40 BMI at 225lbs. I am 11 months out and down 73lbs. and in a size 8 with about 7 lbs to goal. My body has changed several times over the course with some belly and thigh skin loosing up and then righting up. I began lifting weights as soon as I could and now they are part if my routine so my arms have responded well. These last 3 months things have slowed down but my weight seems to be redistributing and I'm now focused on tightening up more than anything!

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[Abster 8]

Thanks for the input everyone!! I wonder if its more to do with age and less to do with amount lost??

[valdostaGA 149]

Don't be fooled! You will have lose skin! Some maybe not a lot! Exercise does help

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