I know loose skin is a popular subject and I read several threads to try to get my answer. But I'm still left questioning.

I would think that stretchmarks would mean there will be loose skin? On my stomach and hips I have stretchmarks, and now there's more stretchmarks appearing. On my inner thighs, there are stretchmarks (how did that happen?!) and on my upper arms there are stretch marks on the bottom side, and also on my boobs!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a loose belly.. but what about the rest? I'm also sure I'm gonna have stretched out boobs, I'm only 24 but they're already stretched out from weight gain and weight loss, weight gain and loss... urgggh..

I'm not aware of a correlation between stretch marks and loose skin.

Stretch marks are from rapidly expanding skin (not necessarily proof that the skin lacks elasticity). Loose skin to some degree is an elasticity issue.

The younger you are, the more elasticity you have, and also genetics affects how much elasticity your skin has. So to a degree it's just "luck."

My youngest sister has extremely resilient skin. She's tiny and petite, barely 5'1" with a very slim build. However, she's been HUGELY pregnant three times. Each time, people have asked if she was expecting twins or triplets (single births with all three of her boys, spaced two to three years apart).

Tons and tons of stretch marks, but she's "snapped back" into bikini shape (and magazine model bikini-shape, not if-I-can-squeeze-into-a-bikini-I'm-going-to-wear-one shape) within three months of each pregnancy (she spray tans to cover the stretch marks).

With her first son, she looked never-been-pregnant before she left the hospital. Freaky, weird I think the woman must have made an unholy alliance with the devil (just kidding, Sis.)

I have stretch marks, and at my lightest, 131, I don't have a lot of loose skin, even around my problem area -- what I always considered my problem area. The stretch marks don't bother me very much either at that weight. They just make fat look that much worse.

Strangely my stretch marks are much more noticible now on my loose skin than they ever were on my fat filled belly. I guess they're just as numerous bit closer together now. Doesn't really bother me as I'm not planning to expose anyone to them at any time regardless of being 7 sizes smaller than I was.

Kitty

I have no stretch marks at all, but a ton of loose skin so in my case they definitely weren't related.

Kaplods, I know I've said it before, but I really do love your posts! Too funny. Also informative!

So I guess my stretchmarks do not necessarily indicate that I will have loose skin, but I can still end up with loose skin but it's not necessarily from the stretchmarks, is what everyone's saying?

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I just have a feeling my belly is prime candidate for loose skin.

That's whatI thought too and mine's not bad at all. Kaploids is right.. all luck. I've read stories of 20-something's with LOTS of loose skin so age doesn't always help, but it can! Oh, and I have TONS of stretchmarks on my lower abdomen from a very rapid 30 pound weight gain too (about 20 in that area alone, and many are big and long).

Your attitude is good, though. It's better to mentally prepare yourself for it, I think. Then, if you DON'T have the loose skin, you can be pleasantly surprised, but if you DO have it, you will not be devastated either. Of course, what I am really promoting here, plain and simple, is pessimism (well, realism in my opinion, but pessimism if we are going simply by pessimism/optimism). But I was never much for being overly optimistic anyway. Too often leads to unexpected disappointment.

lol..... sisters