Extra/Loose Skin?!?
 

Here's a link to skin FAQs that will answer your questions:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36040

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36040

We have a thread devoted to this very topic...check it out!

In fact, we have an entire forum dedicated to the physical and psychological changes that happen with weight loss: Body Image and Issues After Weight Loss. We'd love to have you join in! :)

Originally Posted by lalique:
I was just wondering what you all had to say about this.

My biggest fear with losing weight is I'll have extra/lose skin after wards. I've seen people who have lost alot of weight, and they have tons of extra saggy skin around their upper/inner thighs and stomach. Those two places just so happen to be my biggest parts (especially my stomach - Right now I look like I'm 9+ months pregnant..)

I know that drinking plenty of water, and exercising will decrease the chances of having this problem in the end. But I'm still worried it will happen to me... :(

Any suggestions that may prevent this?

Yup, check out those links. They've got lots of information.

As far as loose skin being your biggest fear, please, please, PLEASE don't let that fear of something that may never even occur stop you from having a better, fitter, more active, and HEALTHIER life. :hug:

I agree with Robin - don't let it be a fear! There's not a ton that you can do to prevent it anyways, a lot is simply genetics. I'd rather be healthy and have extra skin in my thighs/on my belly than fat. A lot of things are very easily hidden with clothes. :)

Keep in mind that if you lose the weight and are unhappy with how you look, you can always gain the weight back. But I guarantee that you won't want to!! Like everyone else has said, it's soooo much better to be slim and fit with a little excess skin than obese with skin that's tight from bulging fat. :p

Originally Posted by :
Keep in mind that if you lose the weight and are unhappy with how you look, you can always gain the weight back.

:rofl:

I have always said that it is better to be slim, with a little loose skin, then heavy and have bulging fat, tight skin, look round and be at risk for heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, etc, etc.

I had read somewhere you could get a free tummy tuck , by giving your extra skin to burn victims, myself i would never have Vanity surgery, but lots do.

.

Okay Meg, now you are scaring me! lol

Some health insurances will pay for some excess skin removal because excess skin can cause a lot of issues for some people after they lose 100+ lbs. I haven't had any medical issues from my weight loss yet but I have heard that others have had serious medical issues due to their excess skin. Even if you don't, excess skin can be very uncomfortable so I wouldn't consider it vanity to get rid of it if you have lost a lot of weight.

A friend of mine just finished medical school and he had studied obesity in med school. He told me that the slowest weight loss is the best...and that skin issues in many aspects depend upon the person. I agree with what others have said...I would rather be healthy and have loose skin than have excess weight. But, loose skin is a concern for me. It has been a fear of mine as well.

Originally Posted by :
A friend of mine just finished medical school and he had studied obesity in med school. He told me that the slowest weight loss is the best..

Well I am right on target then. I have lost 70 pounds in two years and am working on the rest. This seems VERY slow to me! :lol: