Upper Arm Flabby Skin

[mnmlst 249]

Has anyone successfully minimized this? Most of my skin seems to be shrinking back ok ... ish. I am using a firming lotion daily to help it along. But my arms just won't shrink. I'm losing fat there, for sure, but they just look terrible and wrinkly and floppy. Is there anything I can do to help this?!?!

[BitterSweet* 835]

Lift weights, stay hydrated, take your Vitamins, and keep moisturizing. That's it. Nicely toned muscles makes loose / flabby skin on arms (and everywhere else) look a hundred times better. And a spray tan. Tanned skin hides many, many flaws.

[melitta1130 6]

What kind of firming lotion do you use?

[fat_free 463]

I use Arbonne's body firming lotion. So far it seems to be helping

[Crystal88 85]

Hi fellow 10/31er,

I wish I could find the 'cure' for these flabby arms, but I have a feeling it won't be happening. I'm much heavier than you, so I wouldn't be surprised if I have to resort to having my arms done, God willing my insurance approve it.

[happymama2014 206]

Lifting weights will held tone the arms lots more than u think. Try it. I'm working on it too.

[Luvin_Life125 558]

I am only 1 month post op and have already started working with lifting weights. I am hoping building up my muscles and toning everything up will help keep the loose skin to a minimum.

[BitterSweet* 835]

Weights are truly the best thing ever. I have tried every single exercise on the planet and used to be sold on cardio exercises because they really help you drop pounds. The problem is that cardio did nothing for my muscles. I ran mile after mile and just ended up looking like a smaller version of myself. All of the wiggles and jiggles on my thighs (and the back of my thighs and butt!) were still there, and still hideous.

I started walking long distances and using heavy weights to do squats and OMG I promise (Bible) that my legs looked 75% better. It is truly amazing how weights can transform a problematic body area......and yes, that includes arms AND abs. If your doctor has cleared you, try doing weights every other day and cardio in between.

[Galaxy Girl 68]

@@BitterSweet*, you are absolutely correct! I researched and it appears lifting weights helps you lose and tone faster than cardio. I started lifting weights two weeks ago. I am loving it. I am not sure about the flabby arms though. On the veterans page, people had surgery to tighten the arms. I have decided not to do surgery. I will just avoid wearing sleeveless...lol..

[BitterSweet* 835]

@@Galaxy Girl, I'm so glad you did some research and have tried weights for yourself. Weights are the true hidden gem to transforming the body, and I wish others would understand that. People tend to think that they will end up looking like a body builder - which is what scares them (especially women) away from lifting, and nothing could be further from the truth.

I'm with you about skipping a brachioplasty. Plastic surgery is all about trading one set of flaws (loose skin, stretch marks, cellulite) for another flaw (surgical scars), and I just don't want those scars on my arms.......so weights it will be. I advocate weights for anyone that is able and I feel so silly about all of the gadgets and equipment I've purchased over the years that were a complete waste of time and money.

[Buttercupbrown 70]

Hello, I brought 4lb wt and use them on my arms along with Upper Body weight training at the gym...however I still see flab. Even smaller women seem to have this problem...hard area to tone.

[BitterSweet* 835]

@@Buttercupbrown, yes you are right. Flabby "bat wing" arms are quite unforgiving and hard to shape up. Hard, but not impossible. Our arms will never look flawless as they did prior to massive weight gain, but other than plastic surgery, weights are all we have.

Lighter weights (those in the range you are using) are good for people who have limitations or they are already a normal weight and just trying to tone. Light weights + lots of repetitions = toning for regular folks. Heavy weights + lower repititions = muscle building for obese folks. The building of muscles is what helps the appearance of the arms. Cardio exercises will help burn off the fat and the heavy weights will help build the muscles to fill out the loose skin.

If you can do more than 8-10 repititions with your weights, they aren't heavy enough.

[Forsythia 882]

I'm a big proponent of weights, but I had a disproportionate amount of fat deposit itself there. I do all the bicep and triceps work I can. Chest and shoulder work, but I have loose skin in the bat wing area. The muscle underneath is great, but the skin is so stretched. I'm 37. It's not going to bounce back like it might have if I were only 27. I try to keep them moisturized and supple as possible. Maybe some of the elasticity will shrink them back, but I have low expectations for them.

[tamg26k 479]

I have the same problem with the back of my arms! They are getting better though.

I joined a gym and started going about 5 days a week. Each day I do cardio and weights. Absolutely the best way to tone is with weights, especially free weights. I paid for a few training sessions and, no lie, after 3 sessions I can totally feel and see a difference. Squats, lunges, bench press, tricep extensions, dead lifts, etc will work wonders. You will also burn twice as many calories lifting weights over cardio. Because of the results, I now see the trainer once or twice a week for weight training. It was my little gift to myself. There are some free apps out there for weight training that have pictures and videos to make sure you have the proper form. They might be helpful.

Best of luck!

[aclinton16 32]

Ha! I'm 47 and before surgery my arms are and have been very flabby, they HANG and wiggle already.... so I know it's only going to get worse when I have the surgery on 12/23 and lose weight. I'm already prepared for that. :-(

I think my only option will be surgery. Does anyone know what the rules are for your insurance to approve? Or is it very different for every company? I know some people say insurance will cover 1 surgery after a bariatric procedure? Anyone have any info on this?