Oh, no! Another "stretchy." Please tell me this is normal...
I saw a little slightly itchy bump on my belly last night that looks like one of those early signs of a new stretch mark. Now, if I were gaining weight, this wouldn't surprise me at all, but I'm losing (?) Why would the skin need to stretch to accommodate *less* fat?
Sorry if this is a stupid question or one that has been asked before. It just concerned me a little bit.
Jeez - I never saw stretch marks until they were ACTUALLY marks. But then again, that's just me...
Since you say it's on the belly area...I'm wondering if it couldn't be an *abrasion* rather than a stretch mark, from say the waist of your pants or skirts or some other article of clothing rubbing in that area? That's happened to me in the past...
Teapot -- I can't help you out with stretch marks while you're losing because it sure didn't happen to me. BUT .... I can tell you what my dermatologist told me about stretch marks generally. There are prescription creams (such as Retin A) that will help stretch marks only if you catch them while they're new. She said the creams only work if the stretch mark is red and less that about nine months old. Once they're white and faded, nothing will help. So if you think you're getting some stretch marks, by all means talk to a dermatologist pronto. Unfortunately, there aren't any non-prescription creams that work, she said, regardless of what the ads may say.
Or you can wait until you get to your goal, get a tummy tuck and have them all cut out...
I'm telling ya - it was TOO COOL post-surgery to see that SO many of my 'stretchies' had been eliminated - I hadn't really given it much thought pre-op so it was a nice surprise
*NICE*. I would love to be able to do that once I get to goal. I can already tell my arms might be a problem... once the other fun phenomenon, the squishy fat, goes away, I can't imagine that the skin will snap back enough not to just hang there . I'm still holding out hope, though...
Don't give up hope yet, sweetie! You're still a sweet young thing and you just can't tell how your skin is going to react to weight loss yet. Who knows? You might be one of the lucky ones and if not, well, you'd be surprised at how well you can cover up skin with those cute little outfits that you'll be able to fit into. So try not to worry -- and lift a few weights while you're losing to build muscle -- it helps fill up any loose skin.
Jen: People are shocked when I tell them I have loose skin, I can hide it fairly well (heck even in my arms, though I notice it). I got stretch marks while losing weight. They are mostly faded now and not terribly noticable. Congrats on your progress!
I think Mrs. Jim may have hit the nail on the head. My old strech marks (and I have many) get a little itchy sometimes when I wear tight close that rub. As for extra skin I have been real lucky. I have very little extra skin and my clothes cover what I have. I have found that my skin looks much better when I drink my water (I tend to forget). A little boy in my class said "Ms Wright you look very young for your age" (I am 47). Then he told me "Your skin on your arms use to be old and now it is young". Out of the mouths of Babes. When ever I want to pick up a soda I remind myself that I don't want old skin and drink water.
Lynda
Monosaturated fats and water and non-processed foods are great for teh complexion too. Since cutting out most refined sugar my skin looks so much better!
Come to think of it my stretch marks sometimes get itchy too.
Monosaturated fats and water and non-processed foods are great for teh complexion too. Since cutting out most refined sugar my skin looks so much better!
I agree, Ali! Two other things that are great for skin's appearance are vitamin C and bioflavoniods. My plastic surgeon recommended them for skin healing and they made my skin look so much nicer that I've been taking them ever since (oh, and I hardly ever get sick any more! )
You probably didn't notice them when you were heavier, now that the skin is shrinking it show's more. But don't worry, please..... even the skinniest of people can have them. My DH has a few and he's got 0 fat on his body. Stretch marks usually fade to silvery white over time and be less visible. if you want, you can try rubbing vitamin e oil into them every day, as this may help them heal quicker and reduce their appearance, so I've been told.
I have a huge scar from my appendectomy, they had to cut me open from my right side all the way to my belly button. I had some scar but it did fade, or is it I gained so much weight I can't see it anymore LOL !!!! jk - seriously, it did fade ALOT!!!!
Oh, no! Another "stretchy." Please tell me this is normal...
But then again, that's just me...
. I'm still holding out hope, though...
So try not to worry -- and lift a few weights while you're losing to build muscle -- it helps fill up any loose skin. 
