[Lainey 717]

I have a question about the "char pei" syndrome Now that I have lost 40 pounds this nearly 60 year old body is having trouble remembering how to "spring back" and with 25 more pounds to go am starting to look great in clothes but very saggy on my upper thighs, tummy and "wings". I have done a lot of searching on the internet and other than surgery, time, slow steady weight loss, good nutrition, drinking lots of water, doing toning exercises and moisturizing there is really not much help for this problem. I am doing all of the above (except for time) and am starting to feel that I will just have to live with it. I read somewhere that you can "brush" trouble areas with a fairly stiff brush and this generates new skin cells and will help the "sags and bags" slowly disappear. I am hoping someone might provide some insight and tips on how to minimize the sagging.

[Rosinante]

No tips but I love the title! I'm developing Shar Pei Belly!

[matt_H]

Time is really all you can give it. It sounds like you are doing everything you can.

I'm in the waiting game now for this. The most important things are time and then there are things out of your control. Your age, how much skin damage you have done in the past (like being sunburned or going to taning salons), and your history of smoking. If you have those other factors in your favor (a young non-smoker who doesn't sunbathe regularly) you will have much better results over time.

I used to worry about this too much. Not that its there and an issue for me, it really isn't something that affects me. In fact, the loose skin is a visual reminder to me the changes I've made and I know it will get better.

[rockinrobin]

I am so grateful that to have lost the weight and gained my life back, that any shar-pei-ness just doesn't get to me. A bikini body I will never have due to this fact, but you know what? - Loose/wrinkly/excess skin won't cause high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, heart attacks, gout, liver disease, numerous cancers, acid reflux, diabetes and a slew of other debilitating and deadly diseases.

Sounds to me like you're doing everything right, the rest is up to mother nature. And yes, it will improve over time.

Congratulations on your weight loss thus far. I look forward to hearing of your continued progress.

[Eliana]

Like Rosi, I have not advice, but love the analogy! I've been quite lucky thus far.

[Lainey 717]

Hello Eliana, Thanks so much for replying I am not on here too much, too many hours at work ! but want to commend you on your weight loss. You have come so far and getting so close to goal, we have some similarities, height about the same and goal weight about the same. Will be there cheering when you make it and thanks so much for the inspiration ! Here's to not die(ting) but live(ing) Elaine

[Lainey 717]

Hello Matt, thanks for the reality check. Sometimes I get so caught up in the idea of making my goal that I am looking at the destination and not the journey. I need to focus on not the destination but the journey. It will not be done when I lose weight as this change is for life. And no one is ever perfect, so losing and getting to goal will be bitter sweet if I just keep looking at what is wrong with me. Your reply made me realize that losing weight and being healthy and being "my personal best" is what I need to focus on, not a bit of excess skin