Can I avoid or minimize the EXCESS SKIN issue after weight loss?

[DrGee 27]

I'd like to avoid or minimize the typical excess or flabby skin issue down the line. Im almost 2 weeks post op and I decided to hire a personal trainer to meet with once a week starting today to create a plan. I'm not sure if this is the way to do it but if anyone HAS avoided getting excess skin after weight loss or knows someone who has not gotten it or at least minimizes getting it...PLEASE REPLY.

[Diana_in_Philly 1,426]

Your goal appears to be to lose about 110 pounds. The younger you are, the more likely your skin will bounce back some, but with that much weight to lose, I just don't see how you avoid excess skin. I started working with a trainer in my pre-op phase and continue to this day. I work out 5-6 days a week, both aerobic/ HIIT stuff and weights.

That being said, take good care of your skin. Moisturize regularly, use sunscreen, as your weight loss picks up, use "firming" creams but know that they can't make inches of skin disappear.

I'm down 102 pounds. I have excess skin in my stomach, abdomen/hips, thighs and the worst is at the arms. I can live with it everywhere else, almost. At my age, I'm not going to be showing my midriff regularly in public (I'm 56). However, the batwings under my arms are driving me nuts. My arms look great if I tuck the batwings under -- they are toned and beautiful, except for the four inches of skin/flab hanging down from the bottom.

I have my first appointment with the plastic surgeon (at the recommendation of my bariatric team) on October 20.

[jess9395 5,449]

Age
Genetics
Race
Amount of weight
How long you've been overweight
How many times you've yo-yo'd

Those are the primary factors on whether your skin will return or stay stretched out.

Working with a personal trainer is AWESOME and will help fill out the skin with muscle mass, but exercise won't do anything to the skin itself.

Based on the factors above your skin will have a certain amount of resiliency and will "rebound" to that extent. If you lose slowly it will keep pace, if you lose quickly it will catch up as the months pass.

Vitamins, creams, dry brushing can help a little. Sunscreen can help not cause new damage.

Excess skin is annoying but not life threatening like excess weight.

[jess9395 5,449]

And like Diana my arms are toned and beautiful from lots of yoga, as are my abs and my legs from running marathons. The plastic surgeon helped with the excess skin!