[snapplegirl69]

I have 10 pounds or so to get down to my goal.Problem is,Im not sure if my stomach is excess skin or still fat..Im 138 and dont think 10 or maybe even 15 pounds will get rid of it.I excercise 4 times a week,and the only thing i seem to be loosing in that area is some of my "love handles'.If I were to take a pic of my stomach,would anyone be able to tell??TIA

[Trophy Wife]

I attended a seminar recently and heard a plastic surgeon who specializes in patients who've lost lots of weight. He said that if you can pinch the excess and it squishes down to a couple of inches, then it's skin and not fat.

Oh, how I envy your problem!! I can pinch way, way more than a few inches right now.

[Mel]

There are a few ways that you can get an idea of what it is. First, how old are you and how long were you overweight? have you had kids?

Does it droop down and hong off your body forming an "apron"? (stretched out skin but maybe some fat there too) When you pinch a fold between your fingers, how thick is it? Can you pull it away from your body?

Unless you are very muscular or extremely heavy boned, have very muscular legs or big boobs, at 5'3" and 139 pounds you most likely have some excess fat on your stomach.

I doubt that we could really tell from a picture, and I wouldn't advise post it anyway If you belong to a gym, you could ask to have your body fat measured, or a doctor could tell you.

I maintained at 135 for about two years before I bit the bullet and lost down to 120. Those last 10-15 pounds made an enourmous difference in the way I looked. Healthwise, probably not much of a difference- but I call those the vanity pounds. They make a big difference in the mirror and clothing. I'm just a smidge under 5'3".

Congratulations on the weight that you have lost!!

Mel

[shrinkingchica]

Go to a plastic surgeon for a consult and he/she will be able to tell you. Or, your gp might be able to tell you as well. They would be able to perform a proper examination and are much more qualified to comment on that than us.

[KTna]

I have the exact same issue right now, it's to the point where I broke down out of frustration while clothes shopping.
I can't tell either whether I need to lose more or if surgery is the only option. I feel like I will actually look WORSE after losing more because the skin will be even more baggy.
For me it is an everywhere problem not just tummy - so surgery would break the bank so I am back on the wagon trying to lose those last pounds with the hope that it will take care of most of the problem.
I have been struggling lately with maintaining (been up and down 10 pounds for a few months, right now up 10) partially from the frustration.
Good luck to you, I feel your pain!

[LeighHop]

You might just want to wait it out. I'm a short gal like you and when I got down close to my goal before, I was shocked to see what a difference just losing a couple more pounds made. It could just be that all of your last pounds are hanging on your tummy. Mine all hang on my hips, always the last thing to go.

[snapplegirl69]

Thanks for the replies girls..hopefully it will go away soon!