Loose Skin

[Marcos]

Hi,

I'm new to the site. Found it today.

This seems like a good place to begin.

My question is about loose skin during and after weight loss. I will be 58 years old this year. I have lifted off and on for the last 30+ years. Sometimes more avidly sometimes less.

Can anyone educate me about loose skin? When I am down in weight, it is there. Can this be cured with diet (and exercise)? Probably just vanity on my part but it would be so nice to take my shirt off sometimes.

I will never be a candidate for surgery. I view it as too risky and the cost for me is prohibitive. Anyway, I prefer to live as naturally as possible.

I can't seem to find much information.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Marcos

[paperboy]

Hi Marcos, Welcome to the Forum!

Speaking from experience, I'm afraid you may not like what you're going to hear...

Normally, skin will snap back and retain its elasticity when weight loss occurs. However, in some people, they lose this property for whatever reason -- the skin just does not snap back and remains loose. This has led, in part, to the rise in popularity of "mommy makeovers," where the woman's skin has lost the ability to snap back after giving birth. Being 58 years old, I would surmise you might have lost this ability as well.

Unfortunately, there is little to nothing that diet and exercise will do to help this, short of bulking up your muscles to fill out the skin. Surgery may be the only answer. My wife is going through exactly this situation, and she's unable to wear certain things because of loose skin.

[Marcos]

Hi Paperboy,

Thanks for the quick reply.

I'll just have to wait and see. It's not end-of-the-world important to me. I hear a lot of things I don't want to hear. :)

Your explanation is right on from what I've seen. As for my personal situation, my skin still seems to be fairly resilient. But I won't whine too much if it doesn't "spring back". I feel lucky to be around long enough to experience old age. I'm gonna enjoy it.

Filling it up with muscle is a definite possibility. When I did lose weight before, I was over-training so I believe I lost muscle mass. I lived in the tropics at the time. Now I live in a semi-tropical desert so hydration is a constant challenge.

Well, thanks again for the information and I will search the site for more information about Marty's methods. It promises to be interesting.

Marcos

[paperboy]

Hi Paperboy,

Thanks for the quick reply.

I'll just have to wait and see. It's not end-of-the-world important to me. I hear a lot of things I don't want to hear. :)

Your explanation is right on from what I've seen. As for my personal situation, my skin still seems to be fairly resilient. But I won't whine too much if it doesn't "spring back". I feel lucky to be around long enough to experience old age. I'm gonna enjoy it.

Filling it up with muscle is a definite possibility. When I did lose weight before, I was over-training so I believe I lost muscle mass. I lived in the tropics at the time. Now I live in a semi-tropical desert so hydration is a constant challenge.

Well, thanks again for the information and I will search the site for more information about Marty's methods. It promises to be interesting.

Marcos

Great Marcos! If you're looking for fitness and nutrition information, this is definitely the best place to be! No BS or hidden agenda here, only the truth. Glad to have you on board and we look forward to your contributions. Don't be afraid to ask questions!