Shrink my skin... PLEASE!!

[nikybaby]

Ever since I lost weight my skin hasn't really shrunken back. Pretty much everywhere but my back and calves has really loose skin. It doesn't really sag (except my boobs of course) , but it's not taught like it should be. I have stretch marks on my hips, stomach, and inner thighs. Although they are becoming less visible they are still there. I know they won't ever really go away, but I guess my question is:

For those of you who have lost large amounts of weight, how long did it take for the skin to return to it's original elasticity?

I'm only 22 and thought it would be faster..... ARRG!

[blondebomb]

depending on how much weight you lost and how much sag you actually have determines how quick youll lose the sag...if its a tremendous weight loss it may take a long time...exercise and stretching will help...as far as the stretch marks your right they wont ever go away but will become less noticeable...just keep at it and it will happen ...and by the way congratulations on the weight loss and firming up...

[Sprout]

Have you tried using vitamin E lotion on the stretch marks? It won't make them go away, but it may help make them fade.

[ricko73]

Niki-

Congratulations on the transformation so far. I dated a girl who was in a similar situation. She was 250 lbs at one point in her life, then got down to around 170. She has the same type of stretch marks. I know how it can affect how you feel about yourself. I was going to suggest the vitamin E, but also check with a doctor. There may be some better creams etc that they can recommend. Living in SinCity, I'm sure there are all sorts of plastic surgeons. That's what they do for a living. I'm by no means suggesting surgury, but they often will know what works and what is possible.

Keep up the great work!

[nikybaby]

Thanks for the replies and complements. /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The stretch marks aren't really bad because I've been lucky- they're white-ish, not dark colored. And they're only noticable at certain angles because the skin has shrunken a tiny bit, but when the light hits them they're shiny. Pretty wierd.

I'm more worried about the elasticicty. Will it ever return to normal, or will it always be kinda loose?

[RGianos]

A buddy of mine was in the Marine Corps in charge of PT for fat A$$ recruits...

He dropped one dude from 310 lbs to 225 lbs in 3 months and he suggested trunk twisters in the steam room for this type of situation and it seemed to work for him.

[nikybaby]

Trunk twisters??? What, just twisting at the waist??

[RGianos]

I believe it is one of the Marine Corps daily 16, yes...

He also made him do it for about an hour a day in the steam room. This guy actually had an "apron" of loose skin hanging off his abdomen since he lost so much weight in such a short period of time...not to mention he had a lot to lose.

[Xtreme1986]

Hey I justed wanted to add to the compliments and say way to go you look fantastic keep up the good work! /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[nikybaby]

Thanks! You guys are too nice !! /forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Cordyn143]

I lost 90 lbs I am female and 30 yrs old. I am strugling with the whole loose skin thing too especially around my abdomen. My BF is currently at 14% and still hard to see those **** abs because of the skin. I found that drinking lots of water has helped with the loose skin and the more I build muscle in my abs the less skin I have because the extra muscle is filling up some of that skin. I was not working heavy weights with my abs but I have began to and it seems like the skin is not as noticable. Guess you gotta fill it back up to some extent...better muscle than fat huh?

Anyway I know that the weight loss thing is a huge accomplishment so congrats.

[MissMargaret]

Niky, you look just so amazing!!! Congrats on a faboo transformation. I know the hard work that went into it and I really just can't say how just awesome it is to see the change. Wow.

As for the skin.... I ran across a profile of a women who went from 55% bf to 14% and yes she had to contend with a lot of excess skin after that. She swore by Nivea cream. She went through bottles of it. Everynight before bed she would lather it on and get her husband to help. Her skin looked tight and smooth and just beautiful in her after pictures. I'd say it was a ringing endorsement. Hope that helps.

Again, congrats. I love to see a woman take charge of her life as you have done. Great job.