Here is a lovely question about-Skin

[Mab]

Ok, this is kind of gross, but what is everyone doing about their excess skin?

I am fine with my arms, working the triceps and firming lotion is keeping my bat wings in the acceptable range! :silly: LOL!

But my stomach is terrible. I have a flap (literally) of skin right above my hip bones that flops over. I tried firming lotion and it is not working. I know sit ups will help with firming, but I don't think it will help the skin issue. OH! And while we are already on such a lovely topic - inner thighs. Exercise is not making any difference for that either.

Some insight/suggestions would be great!

It might be that short of surgery I have to live with it (I can't imagine a tummy tuck, but who knows?)

Also, what is the deal with Spanx? I saw someone at Lane Byrant buying them, and was wondering what the deal was!

[LesLy]

Hey Mab, What kind of lotion do you use? where did u get it at? I think I need something like that...

[Mab]

I am using cheap old Oil of Olay body lotion, comes in a purple bottle.
For some reason, it really is firming up the skin on my arms and my stretch marks look better - they are not gone of course, but they are less noticable.
The other thing I do this time of year is to use a self tanner, Jergens is great it is a body lotion with tanner in it so you avoid looking streaky. I think it helps my skin look better and healthier too. It is a temporary fix, but hey I admit I am vain!

[Mab]

Oh, sorry, both are available at the supermarket and at drug stores. If I remember correctly the Oil of Olay is like $3.50 or so for a bottle that lasts about a month and the Jergens, I don't remember the price. I had to go to KMart for it because it jumps off the shelves this time of year.
I did try the expensive department store lotions and firming lotions and they did not work well and also had such a strong scent that I could not use my own perfume, which I like. Also tried a whole bunch of Victoria's Secret stuff.
The cheap stuff in this case has been the best of the bunch!

[LesLy]

Hey Mab!
I have used Jergens before and currently use the one for the face, but havent gotten the body lotion; i have that Aveno right now but was thinking about getting something for stretchmarks!! Have also used Victorias Secret and still use some of their lotions but just for the scent, not for anything else really....
I will get that Jergens or the oil of olay when I go to the store and see how that works for me.
But thanks!!!!

[Lawbooks]

Mab,
I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that once I reach goal, I will get some loose skin removed. I think whenever you have lost 100 pounds or more and have been at the higher weight more than a couple of years, that's all you can do.
Age has a lot to do with it... the younger you are, the more ability your skin has to *snap back*. Drinking lots of water to help with your skin's elasticity and doing toning exercises to strengthen the muscles beneath the skin does help some, so keep that up. But if your loose skin is considerable, you may have to consider surgery or just living with it. <sigh>
Oh, and Spanx are AWESOME!! If you have never tried them, you absolutely should! I just started wearing them a couple of months ago after hearing Oprah go on and on about them and I LOVE THEM! My favorite are the "Higher Power Footless" -- especially since it is sandal season.
HTH,

[Mab]

I'm such a surgery chicken....
May have no alternative. It is kind of scary though! I know someone who had a "tummy tuck" and it seems like a nasty procedure!

[Goddess]

i've also found that my skin issues have gradually lessened over time. it doesn't bounce back immediately, but it does improve. i use good lotions, drink lots of water, of course, and from my understanding, vitamins help as well. i've also heard exercise helps.

i figure once i get where i want to be, i can revisit the issue, but for now, i'm not worrying over it too much. just trying to take good care of my skin as much as possible.

[eternallyme]

I havent looked into this and it might sound dumb, but those ppl on Biggest Loser dont have surgery and look pretty darn awesome at the end whatever age they are. They have usually been large for a while, so whats the deal? Is it the toning?

[Goddess]

i have no idea. if you find out, let us know!

[QueenMama]

It's the same with all those women on the NutriSystem commercials. They lose all those pounds and look fantastic in a bikini. Where are the stretch marks and the excess skin?

[sweet1evie]

I bet some of the people on comercials are either young and it bounces back or they had surgery. I'm not going to worry until I get to goal. I have enough I could worry about that is current. Insurance may cover removing some of it if it is giving you a rash or if it pinches or tends to hang and get caught when you walk. Ugh! I know I will have a bunch on the lower tummy and thighs and arms probably. But I will look better in my clothes at least!

[Nocarbnoob]

Lotion (something with cocoa butter) and..imagine this...water. When i worked in the Rehab field I knew a lot of addicts that would use the lotion or cocoa butter to help their track marks (needle scars) heal up better. and as for the water...it doesn't always have to be ingested to work. May i suggest purposefully getting caught in the rain. Really help hydrate the skin and reviving its elasticity, plus rain-water is a natural conditioner for your hair. Much of the water that comes from public services contains a good (relative term) amount of chlorine. And anyone who has spent time in a pool will tell you that their skin feels dry afterwards...because the chlorine will dry it out. So natural fresh water works much better. For those of you who are stuck in a desert somewhere...give me time I'll come up with something.


Be Well

C

[alice918]

When it is all said and done I will lose over 100 lbs. I am down 35.5 at the moment. Is there extra things I can do now to prevent some of the excess skin? I am drinking my water and doing some walking. I am planing on adding some toning exercises as well. I'll also look into some of the toning lotions that were mentioned.

[QueenMama]

I was reading up on coconut oil, and an elderly gentlemen commented that he noticed his skin tightening up and not being so loose since he started eating the oil. This was a man in his mid 70s. He also said the skin was more supple and softer. Wouldn't hurt to try it.