One of my biggest fears of losing weight is having saggy skin. I'm 22, 5'4, and 315 pounds with a goal weigh of 180. Everyone tells me that if I lose it slowly my skin should be normal, but what they don't know is that I already have tons of stretch marks on my stomach from when I was younger. All the stretch marks that are on my stomach are from when I was about 12 and was really big. For anyone that's lost a lot of weight did you have a problem with loose skin?

When I started this journey, I was afraid of loose skin too. As I'm losing weight, it's becoming less of a concern for me. Yeah, I sure hope I don't have a lot of it when I'm done. Truth is, though, I probably will. However, I'm healthier and I have more energy now than I ever had. I look better. I can shop for clothes and be picky-- find things that look good as opposed to finding things that just fit. Loose skin sucks, but it's really the least of my worries now. I'd much rather just be healthy and feel good, y'know?

I do have some concerns about loose skin, but I totally agree with 1049jess, I would rather not weigh 300 pounds and have some loose skin.

At your age, it should be fine, your skin at 22 is still very elastic.
Don't stress about things that may not happen, lose some weight, you'll feel so fantastic it won't seem such an issue. Trust me, I'm old enough to be your mother!!!!!!!!

If you are thinner and healthier...excess skin doesn't make a difference!

My dad lost a ton of weight very quickly when he was in his 60s. At first he had loose skin, but after about a year or so the skin was noticeably tighter even though he didn't gain the weight back. He didn't do anything to help the skin, either, it just happened on its own. It's good to know that sometimes skin can recover its elasticity.

I was worried about this as well.

I have done a lot of research and reading. From what I can gather there are a few things that can be done to help the skin recover. Keeping the skin moisturized with lotion will help the skin keep some elasticity. Also some slim wear or compression undergarment to hold the skin from sagging down and possibly filling with fluids(edema) and also keeping the skin that now rubs against a different area from getting raw. Supposedly message helps as well, because it would bring the blood flow to the skin areas ( not to mention it feels good ). Toning the muscles under the skin helps to tone the skin as well because the skin is moving and stretching as you move those muscles.

For myself at 397lbs my lower stomach does hang down more than it used to. I am not sure if it was from having a Csection with my daughter or just more weight gain. However I have nerve damage in the area so I can not feel anything so I am very careful and check for any signs of infection regularly. It used to be warm and slightly hard from some edema from the Csection, but now that has faded with the years.

I am not looking forward to the hanging skin right there, because quite frankly it is annoying. So I already have the biggest compression wear I could find and as soon as I fit in it comfortably ( 60 lbs or so ..I definately do not want to feel like a stuffed sausage in it just want it to hold the skin up so it can heal while I loose not try and look thinner than I am) I am going to be in it. I try to lotion myself properly, but I hate to put on clothes while still sticky from lotion and who has time to sit around while lotion soaks in. Not to mention not being able to reach say my back ( very frustrating ). When I get out of the shower I wipe on baby oil before toweling off, but supposedly any oil will do .. such as olive oil ( I hear in Italy that is a beauty secret.. no joke)

I agree with what everyone also said but the best thing you have going for you is your age. You might still have the stretch marks because even skinny people do, but your skin will probably bounce right back in time. Don't let it discourage you at all.
My sister has recently lost over 80 pounds but she lifts weights and does all those things to help her skin bounce back. She is dealing with the muscle tone and it actually does help in two ways... tones the skin and burns calories! What a beautiful benefit! Her arms look great!
Just remember your young, you have such a great advantage. Keep it up!

I'm at a hundred pounds down, and, while there's totally loose skin, it's not nearly as noticeable as you'd think. I seem to go through phases. I'll have loose skin, then it'll seem to tighten a bit, then it'll seem loose again, and so on. Rinse and repeat. The only part I anticipate being problematic are my arms, which are an absolute wreck. Even they are slowly improving, though, and they're a veritable mass of stretch marks. Seriously. If you pull it taut and press, it looks like lattice work. I probably have a connective tissue thingie. Still improves, though.

I just sort of figure that, hey, I still look better. So what if I'm not perfect!

Well. We are the same height, and I was 15 pounds heavier than your start point. Don't let the thought of loose skin scare you off from getting healthy my dear. I am in a size 6 jean (down from a 28) and you can't see loose skin through denim. I'll leave it at that

I worry about the same thing. In fact I've pretty much accepted the fact that when I get to goal I will have loose skin - hopefully not too much and hopefully it will tighten over time. However, it seems as though I'm either going to have self image issues as a fat person with all the accompanying healthy concerns or have some self image issues as a thinner person but be much healthier. Given the choice I'll take the healthier version of myself - besides clothing can hide a multitude of sins when it comes to loose skin...but no amount of clothing can hide my 330 pound hiney.

Depending on your insurance coverage, doctors can sometimes petition to have plastic surgery covered in cases of noticeable/hanging loose skin due to a large amount of weight loss. It depends on the doctor and insurance, but it might be worth a conversation.

Usually after you've lost 100 pounds or more, and have maintained for at least 6 months Some people have gotten rashes from hanging skin, so thats another reason it would be covered...

I wouldn't worry about loose skin tbh. Even if you do end up with a little, its a good tradeoff.

Thank you for the clarification. I'd always wondered about that. I saw it in a program about weight loss, but they didn't go into specifics.