Tips to minimize saggy skin before/after WLS

[Babbs 14,681]

@@Honeybee17

I started strictly post surgery. I walked the first 6 months, then when my weight loss stalled a bit, decided to join a gym. I did get a trainer to show me how to tone with specific exercises, but only utilized him for a few sessions when I felt I got the info I needed You can find so much info online, also.

[Honeybee17 65]

Thank you for this post. I, too, have been concerned that there has been very little positive discussion on pre and post operative skin care.

I am also dry brushing. In addition, I'm using a glycolic/salycilic acid based lotion that I put on my arms, chest, stomach, upper legs and rear. Though I have not already, I plan to use glycolic acid peels on these areas to stimulate new skin growth. I also take collagen hydrosolate (sp?) with my Protein shakes in the morning.

My sister is a Rodan and Fields rep and I've bought the Amp MD roller that I use on my belly. I would love to have some amazing before and afters for her to use!!!

Sure, my skin may sag after surgery, but I will never wonder if I could have or should have done more to help myself before surgery.

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That's a very good point. If we don't do something before, we will always wonder, won't we, if doing something before surgery would have made even the slightest bit of difference.

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[Honeybee17 65]

Thank you for this post. I, too, have been concerned that there has been very little positive discussion on pre and post operative skin care.

I am also dry brushing. In addition, I'm using a glycolic/salycilic acid based lotion that I put on my arms, chest, stomach, upper legs and rear. Though I have not already, I plan to use glycolic acid peels on these areas to stimulate new skin growth. I also take collagen hydrosolate (sp?) with my Protein shakes in the morning.

My sister is a Rodan and Fields rep and I've bought the Amp MD roller that I use on my belly. I would love to have some amazing before and afters for her to use!!!

Sure, my skin may sag after surgery, but I will never wonder if I could have or should have done more to help myself before surgery.

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That's a very good point. If we don't do something before, we will always wonder, won't we, if doing something before surgery would have made even the slightest bit of difference.

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Also, I would like to know about the item you mentioned above. Can you tell us more about that?

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[clevergirl 41]

Which one?

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[Honeybee17 65]

Which one?

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The Amp MD roller. Is this something that if similar to a body brushing tool?

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[Honeybee17 65]

Here is some more indignation, I find in an online article on Pinterest.

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How to Prevent Saggy Skin After Vertical Sleeve Surgery

By Tatyana Ivanov

A vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical weight loss procedure recommended for treating obesity. During the procedure, a large portion of the patient’s stomach is removed, leaving a small pouch behind. This pouch fills more quickly than the larger stomach, allowing the patient to feel full after eating less food. Due to the typically large amount of weight loss experienced, loose excess skin troubles many post-op patients. While genetics largely determines the amount of loose skin you experience, taking a few easy steps before your surgery can prevent additional sagging.

Things You'll Need

Neoprene weight loss wraps

Skin firming lotion

Weights

Water

Vitamin A supplements

Antioxidant supplements

Exercise

March in place, stretch your arms and rotate them in small circles or swing them back and forth for 10 to 15 minutes. This will warm up your body for additional exercise.

Walk on a treadmill or the street for 10 minutes daily, four days a week. Wearing a neoprene warming wrap while walking will help boost toning.

Stretch and work out trouble areas for saggy skin, such as the arms, thighs, stomach and butt. Gently lift legs and arms from a seated position. Wear the neoprene wrap on these areas to increase firming.

Lift small weights, generally two to three pounds, to increase toning in your arms. While standing with arms dangling at your sides, lift the weights out and up until they are at the same level as your shoulders.

Nutrition

Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of Water daily. Drinking enough water helps hydrate skin and improve elasticity.

Eat foods that are rich in Vitamin A, such as low-fat milk and yogurts. Vitamin A helps regenerate healthy skin cells to replace damaged ones.

Eat foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as berries, plums and pomegranate. Antioxidants help with healthy skin and are beneficial for the heart and metabolism.

Avoid foods with large quantities of refined sugar and carbohydrates, as well as over-processed foods with empty calories.

Other Preventive Methods

Apply a skin firming or tightening moisturizer all over your body after showering, paying special attention to your trouble areas.

Avoid smoking and smoky environments.

Wear sunscreen of SPF 40 or higher when you are going to be exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time.

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Please disregard the word "indignation" at the top. It was an auto correct.

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[Honeybee17 65]

@@Honeybee17

I started strictly post surgery. I walked the first 6 months, then when my weight loss stalled a bit, decided to join a gym. I did get a trainer to show me how to tone with specific exercises, but only utilized him for a few sessions when I felt I got the info I needed You can find so much info online, also.

My husband has always worked out in the gym since he was a teenager and played football. He still works out to this day and knows which lifts to do for which muscles. I told him he has to train me and I will do what he says. Lol.

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[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@Honeybee17

Carbs are not necessary to live. Most man made carbs were just invented to provide cheap calories to laborers and peasants.

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Science-Low-Carbohydrate-Living/dp/0983490708/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Science-Low-Carbohydrate-Performance/dp/0983490716/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Numerous studies support this. Not to mention, most of human history.

[seeingme 91]

Nothing will shrink your skin. I had a Tummy Tuck 8 years ago. Best thing ever!!!

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[clevergirl 41]

What prep work did you do pre surgery? Was there anything you tried?

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[Aggiemae 739]

I agree that your can't do much after the skin is sagging but I know from my own 64 year experience with my own skin that there are many things you can do to minimize sagging and wrinkling. I have in my work probably see thousands of postpartum bellies, the ones that are flat and stretch mark free 6 months later are the ones belonged to women who did postpartum toning exercises rubbed with coco butter and Vitamin E during and after pregnancy.

[be4unoit 27]

As soon as I can I'll be in the pool every day. I told my NUT that I'll be doing laps telling myself "I don't want flabby arms"!

However, I also told myself when I decided to do this surgery that I was going all the way. Meaning nips, tucks, lifts whatever it takes at the end to get rid of any excess. I don't care how little excess skin I have it's going. Keeping it would disgust me more than being fat. So I'm opening a savings account to put money in every month that normally would go to an amazing holiday (I went to Australia & New Zealand right before surgery and spent over $5,000). So nothing more than 4 day weekend trips for me until I am where I want to be - health & body wise.

[malenac13 1]

I have never bn one for wearing any tummy control-like items like Spanx. But I do wear them now post op so that gravity doesn't pull all my excess skin down with the now loosened fat. I prefer the ones that go from just above my knees to below my chest.

Even before surgery I was taught to put my lotion and make up with up motions. I've Definitely increased the times I put lotion on in a day. I started using compression sleeves for my upper arms. And when I'm not using neoprene waist trimmer I'll wear The abdominal binder they put on me after surgery if I'm not wearing spanx.

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My mother says taking Vitamin E orally and using vitamin E oil helps.

My health food guru at work says to include collagen. Which supposedly helps with elasticity. So I'm hoping to purchase some soon!!

And I'm eager to get into a workout regiment to build muscle for toning and for skin firming.

Oh and my nutritionist says using a body scrub helps remove old skin so new one can generate.

Hope this is helpful. And Good Luck everyone!

Edited December 7, 2016 by malenac13

[lunnah 101]

Adding to what you said in your initial post I also take collagen, I feel that it helps.

I am only 3 months out, lost 42lbs and do all that you said on your post and have no saggy skin hope it will stay that way.

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[Clementine Sky 708]

Losing weight s l o w l y has been frustrating at times, but the silver lining is that it's helped to prevent sagging skin and hair loss. My skin is firmer than it was pre-surgery. There are tips on Pinterest about how to minimize loose skin, such as staying hydrated, eating nutritiously, exercising, and using various types of creams and scrubs. I just use a salt scrub from the farmer's market followed by an in-shower lotion by Nivea, and then apply lotion again when I step out. Once a week I take a soak with bath oil and salts and read a paperback. That had been my routine prior to surgery because of dry skin (which has improved the most by simply shortening my daily showers and the heat of them). Swimming is supposed to be an excellent way of toning your skin, though I still haven't incorporated it into my routine. Some women said that body wraps and massages had helped them. As others have stated, a lot of it really depends on factors beyond your control like genetics and age.