Loose Skin Worry

[nolady 7]

I am in the very initial stage of sleeve surgery. Met with the team (Dr., NUT, Exercise Physiologist, Labs & EKG done). My question is ... Can I do anything in this PRE-Surgery mode to assist with future loose skin? I am 50+ and have a lot to lose (100+) and fear that I will end up looking horrible with loose skin everywhere. Any advice?

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[nickisleeve 127]

I don't know if it will help at all, I'm also in the beginning stages. I've decided to do light weights until surgery. I feel it will help out with the rapid weight loss and put me ahead of the game.

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[JamieLogical 8,710]

Here are some things you can do that *might* help lessen loose skin. It really just depends on a lot of factors, most of which are out of your control. But here is what you can do:

• moisturize daily
• stay well hydrated
• take your Vitamins (vitamins C & E, as well as beef Gelatin can improve skin elasticity)
• strength training (you can "fill in" loose skin with muscle where you lose fat in some areas)

Just remember, you should not let the prospect of loose skin discourage you from WLS or losing weight. A little loose skin never killed anyone, but excess weight has killed millions of people.

[Candygyrl 637]

Yes start light strength training now. You can get a lot done in 6 months. You're at a good starting weight so don't be afraid like I was to lose more before surgery the closer you can get to goal the easier your journey will be. Good luck.

[laceemouse 631]

I am in the very initial stage of sleeve surgery. Met with the team (Dr., NUT, Exercise Physiologist, Labs & EKG done). My question is ... Can I do anything in this PRE-Surgery mode to assist with future loose skin? I am 50+ and have a lot to lose (100+) and fear that I will end up looking horrible with loose skin everywhere. Any advice?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think a lot of it depends on where we carry our excess weight. Working with weights can help, especially with arms and legs, because the muscle gets bigger and fills in some of the space where the skin is sagging.

Go to Youtube and watch vidoes about weight loss and excess skin. People will show their before and after pix and strip down and show it all. They are BRAVE! They call them "skin flicks". Ha.

I am not worried about it at all. I am almost 54. I figure my bikini days are way past me. Tummy trouble is easy to hide with shape wear. My legs have never looked good, even before I gained the weight I have always had big legs, I am not expecting them to magically be awesome!

Sleeveless tops may always be out of the question for me, but I have heard a lot of people are cold all the time after WLS so that might not be comfortable anyway.

Good plan to start working on it now though, I need to do that too

Edited September 8, 2016 by laceemouse