Hi group,

I have a question about excess skin after weight loss. I have a total of 100 maybe more pounds that I want to lose. I have had this extra weight now for about 5 years. The majority is around my abdomen. My husband believes if I workout and gain muscle then it will fade. I understand the concept but I just don't see how it is possible to gain that much muscle in my stomach. Actually when I think about it, it doesn't make much sense since muscle adheres to the bone and creates more of a shape. Anyway, has anyone had to deal with this? Any suggestions? I really don't want surgery when I reach my goal but if I am going to be left with excess skin, then it may be my option.

By the way, I've lost 2 pounds since Sunday! It has been a very good week.

Jen

Andie,
I think the key is to weigh yourself in the morning, after the bathroom if you know what I mean, if you weigh in the evening, it's going to be different.
One time I weighed myself as a experiement, like 10 times in one day, and the numbers fluxcuated, all throughout the day.
So don't be hard on yourself! OK!
One day, one meal at a time...
Fab

Oh, honey...I don't know. I do know that skin is incredibly elastic. I think also that usually people who have lost hundreds of pounds need it. I'm personally thinking about a tummy tuck. That might be all you need. When you get close to goal, you can see where you are, then make an appointment with your friendly plastic surgeon!

What is a tummy tuck? I am also worried about the extra skin... I know i created that issue by overeating and having a baby... but... It kind of scares me... Anyone else have experience with that?

You're right!

A tummy tuck is where they tuck in and sew up the skin around your tummy so that you can have a flat stomach. I have friends who have had lipo and tummy tucks. They seem to be happier with the tummy tuck and lipo than with lipo alone, though.

I'm really not worring about it for a while, though...I have to lose the weight and have another baby...or vice versa...

You are almost there Flo!!!! How exciting!

Thank You Brooke! I was really hoping to be around 198 by friday... But at this rate (today i am 200.8) i am just hoping to be in the Onederland. 199.8 will do... lol

I'm just curious if they have to reposition your belly button when they do this. Does anybody know? I have wondered about excess skin as well!

Here's the info from WebMD http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/gui...res-tummy-tuck

I don't know about the navel, but I've watched a lot of those before/after shows on Discovery Health. I know that if they have to take excess skin (usually after enormous amounts of weight - I don't think any of us qualify) they can make you a new navel. My best friend's mother had the gastric bypass surgery and then had to have skin removed - but she lost nearly 200 pounds. They could have made her a new navel, but they didn't. She didn't care.

Personally, I've never had a flat stomach - even at my thinnest. It would be nice in a bathing suit, though...

Brooke- Has your package arrived??? Mine shipped today!! WOOOHOOO!!!!!

I finally broke down and told hubby that I'm going to be starting on MediFast. I was a little nervous about his reaction, but he was great and told me that he doesn't care how much I weigh.

Honestly, my biggest goal is to shop in REGULAR stores!! I want adorable, cute clothes. That doesn't sound too superficial does it??

TMI, sorry... but I'm also excited that my TOM started yesterday!!! Which means, that I'll be able to start my first few weeks without having to deal with that crap too!!!! TOM wasn't due until Saturday.... btw....I've never been happy about TOM before! LOL

Jen, Yay -- good bye forever two pounds!! I'm assuming I'll have to have an operation. If you blow up a balloon and then let the air out, it's stretched out. I'm evenly distributed though, so maybe I'll get lucky.

SweetP, I don't know anything about your troubles. You always seem happy. I know what you mean about TMI though. I have a tendency to let it all hang out in here, which I would NEVER do in my "real" life. I think it's nice to have that kind of a place though.

I'm having a skinny day today. I just FEEL skinny, which is funny cuz I weigh 250 pounds. LOL.

Keep shakin,

Samara,
We posted at the same time! The ONLY reason I want to lose weight right now is to shop for cute clothes!!! I'm a super healthy fat girl! We're about the same weight. How tall are you? What size?
I'm 5'6" and in a 20.

Good luck. And congrats on TOM (it feels weird to say that....)

Michelle - I'm 5'7". Right now I'm in a size 24. Some stuff is loose, some too tight....gosh when will they ever get the sizing correct??!?!?!?

LOL, thanks for the TOM congrats!!! LMAO!!

I also consider myself fairly healthy, with the exception of allergies....which I've had my WHOLE life even before being fat. I'm fairly active too, I always surprise the doctors with my flexibility and stamina.

My friend is doing Optifast and I'm thinking about doing medifast now. . .I admire her so much cause she's sticking to it! I'm just incredibly afraid of failing. I keep reading that people aren't hungry and it's so hard to imagine that. How are you guys controlling your cravings? I may order one week and see what happens.. .