Thanks ladies. No worries, I am not going to let it get in my way, I just want to try to avoid it if possible. I am hoping that because I "only" have to lose 100 pounds and not doing it rapidly that I won't have a huge issue with it.

Should I start taking fish oil now or just incorporate salmon and almonds in my diet at this point? Or both?

studies do show that losing weight QUICKLY had no real bearing on whether you would have lose skin at the end or not. Within a year it will tighten up as much as it's going to either which way. HOWEVER the real correlation is that a lot of people that lose quickly ARE doing it unhealthfully. I actually can't think of any on here (RR, DC, myself) all did or are losing weight quickly but making sure that we're getting plenty of good fats and healthful foods.

I think when we're talking about weight loss surgery patients we're not talking optimal nutrition right? Yes there are supplements etc but REAL foods are the best way to get optimal nutrition. So therefore skin elasticity etc can suffer as a result of not getting an optimal amount of good fats etc. So there lies the correlation between fast weight loss and loose skin.
I actually have some front/back pictures of me in my underwear (NOT control top) and if there is anyone that is really interested in seeing what a REAL 155 pound loss looks like in the way of extra skin then feel free to pm me your email address and I'll send them to you. It's really not as bad as you would think... and PLEASE only send me your address if you belong to the 100 lb club... I'm not a freak show ;)

What I have found and I've seen is that if you lose weight quickly, you will tend to have more loose skin than if you lose weight slowly for an initial time period. The reason being is that your skin can bounce back somewhat but it can take time.

I can definitely see and feel a difference from my loose skin today than it was 2 years ago. It isn't great but it is better than it was and it really depends on your own genetics and situation.

I'd say my initial weight loss was fairly rapid, in the first year I went from 333 to 179 for a total of 154 pounds in one year. The last 30+ have come off slowly, but surely. I have to say that compared to the TLC plastic surgery shows that my skin is not nearly as loose as some of the people who have lost less in the same amount of time....(most of them losing rapidly due to wls). I also eat very healthy foods and make sure I hydrate my skin daily. My face unfortunately shows the most signs of weightloss, much more than I would like...and maybe someday I'll get a nip/tuck. But regardless of what I do, right this minute, nothing feels as good as my deflated saggy bags! :)

I have some loose skin now. I'm 43 and started losing two years ago this month. I lost the first 60 pounds, went off the wagon for 10 months -- put on 15 pounds in the process -- and am now about 80 pounds down.

I have found by taking fish oil daily that my skin is not so dry and dimply looking. My knees don't creak when I exercise. I also moisturize with Jergens Skin Firming Lotion...it seems to keep my skin hydrated as well. My neck has firmed up with the lotion.

I'm not too worried about the loose skin. I'm doing all I can do...I spent 20 years being morbidly obese and am now just obese. I feel healthier than I ever have, I have more spring in my step than my co-workers who are 15 years younger, and I live life now. That is what counts -- and I don't worry about those stupid plastic lawn chairs anymore ;)

I went from 215 to 132 in about 1 year. Some consider that rapid. I myself do not. My most troublesome area is my stomach. I am not sure if that is from weight gain or pregnancy. Also, the very top of the back of my thighs--just as it becomes my butt, is saggy.

I found great relief in SPANX. They really help out under clothing. I would like to have surgery though.

From almost the beginning of my journey, I ate healthy fats--in careful moderation. I also have had plenty of water and whole foods. In addition, I run and do some resistance training. I think all of those things help.

Either way be assured that loose skin is much easier to hide under clothes than being overweight! :)

I would think the biggest factors in the amount of loose skin one winds up with is - age, genetics, how long one was overweight for and just how heavy they got.

I will take my loose skin (which is way better then I thought it would be, come to think of it, I didn't give it much thought) any and every day over my tight taut skin covering up my 287 lb 5 foot body. It is undetectable in my size 4 clothing. There was no hiding my morbid obesity in my size 26/28 clothing.

Besides, loose skin won't lead to massive heart attacks, numerous cancers, stroke, liver disease, diabetes, limbs having to be amputated, gout, infertility and a slew of other debilitating and life threatening diseases and conditions.

I can fit on any amusement park ride, any picnic bench, any airplane seat, any public transportation seat, any hair dressers chair, any folding chair, any lawn chair, any - anything with my loose skin. I can go horseback riding, ice skating, rafting. My husband can scoop me up as if he's lifting a pillow. I can zip around and be highly productive with my loose skin. I can have an ENORMOUS wardrobe with my loose skin. I can sleep at night with my loose skin now that I am no longer worried about dropping dead and who will care for my children.

I am so ever thankful that I *finally* have loose skin. :)