I just had surgery yesterday, but thought while i was home recovering I would get ideas on what things work best.

I am 26, 5'4, 235lbs. My mom had this surgery 5 years ago and of course had problems with those areas. She had plastic surgery to fix it all.

I prefer to NOT have those surgeries!

I was kind of hoping with my weight and age that I could work away a lot of the skin problems if I start off at the beginning...It's worth a shot, right?

So I ordered a thigh master...but wondering about other ideas....I of course am not using them this soon, but plan to as soon as I am well enough....open to all ideas...Thanks!

Edited September 17, 201015 yr by cortneyhughes
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Keep in mind that you are a lot younger than your mother and your skin will retract better. When I was 30 I lost more than a hundred pounds and had no excess skin issues. Exercising specific muscles will not affect excess skin issues.

Keep in mind that you are a lot younger than your mother and your skin will retract better. When I was 30 I lost more than a hundred pounds and had no excess skin issues. Exercising specific muscles will not affect excess skin issues.

This is true...but from what I have read from trainers is that usually there is still excess fat in the skin that keeps it from retracting. One of the most important things you can do is make sure you get enough protein so you can maintain your muscle mass. This is very important as muscle burns fat! I would consult a trainer at the gym if you can. They will usually give you a free consult when you join, or pay a reasonable fee per session.

Good luck!

Yes making sure you're getting enough protein is very important. "there is still excess fat in the skin that keeps it from retracting" The previous statement however just seems silly to me. I wonder what a dermatoligist would have to say about that. "They will usually give you a free consult when you join, or pay a reasonable fee per session." Not in New England they're not; my last gym was charging $100 an hour. Ahh no thanks.

That would be a good question to pose to a dermatologist. Young skin is certainly more elastic. I have read what I stated on the internet (but we know how that info can be hit or miss) and been told it by 2 personal trainers in the past...each is obviously trying to sell their services or products...I can certainly concede that fact...it would be nice to hear it from someone not trying to sell something. Our local YMCA does free training sessions when you join...as do all of the gyms I have joined in the past (3 different gyms in various states) and I have not had to pay them past that, just learned what I could in the 1 free hour and went from there. They can be quite helpful to help you outline your individual goals and advise on what exercises are best.

As to the original question which machines are best. I think they are all good. If they target the muscle group that seems to need work then it has to help. According to the trainer I worked with most recently, the machines working the triceps muscles work the underarm hang and help shrink that up...but he said in general you can't reduce the fat in only a specific area, it just comes off all over...so just keep working out and give it time, if you are losing fast, maybe your skin can't catch up just yet. I really do wish you all the best.

The degree of excess skin you experience is related to age, genetics, how much/how long you were overweight, how many times you've lost/gained, how many pregnancies you've had, and other factors--none of which you really can control.

It's not affected by rate of loss (though it can seem to be--if you lose quickly, it just becomes apparent more rapidly) or exercise or topical creams, etc. (There are some lotions that temporarily tighten things up, though; I like C. Booth's 4-in-1 Multi-Action body lotion--it's inexpensive and great.)

Exercising is really important. Building and maintaining lean muscle mass is crucial for a number of reasons. And it does produce a nice "scaffolding" for your skin to cover.

But you may, in fact, be left with excess skin.

what I have read from trainers is that usually there is still excess fat in the skin that keeps it from retracting

If you look at plastic surgeons' before and after galleries, you often will see people who have not achieved a good BMI prior to surgery; if they lost more, some of the areas upon which they had surgery might have retracted further. Or they might not have.

Skin elasticity is not infinite. Think of a balloon that you inflate and deflate. For a few times, it does just fine. But after a few more tries, the latex gets ripply and less elastic. Eventually, it breaks.

Skin is kind of the same. It can only stretch and retract so much. Same with the connective tissue beneath the skin. (Stretch marks are actually scars in this connective tissue.)

All you can do is stay well-nourished, well-hydrated, well-exercised (and well-rested)---and hope for the best.

I'm 48, have gained and lost a few times (but have not been obese my whole life). I've had 3 pregnancies, quit smoking a dozen years ago, and have found that my skin is doing MUCH better than I expect in some areas, and not as well in others.

But I'll tell you this much: every single part of my body, whether saggy or not, looks a hell of a lot better than it did when inflated with 99 more pounds of fat!

Well dang...I am "young" (34) and I have skin issues....LOL I would much rather have them, though, than to have to deal with the health problems I was headed for in being overweight!!!!

I have found that my body magic has helped a lot in shaping my torso and legs as I lose weight -- so I am hoping the new "comfort bra" which Ardyss has coming out will help with my arms - as they are my biggest issue right now...the loose skin isn't going anywhere and I would have to become a body builder with HUGE arms to fill that skin with muscle. ha ha

Let us know if you find some exercises, etc, that helps - I am game to keep trying anything!

Kim

Hello Hope you are healing well, and in good spirits.

I wanted to give you my two cents worth also. The protein is the best advise to keep up to 60-80 grams a day, for building and maintaining your muscle mass, and once you get the clear to do more that walk, get your self into a group class so you can have company and a promise to show up... I just recently bought the Zumba tapes and bars but just looked at them untill I joined a group to commit to! I noticed that when I had built up the stamina by walking and biking on my own, I now did the full hour with the seniors! It was so enlightning, I found out I am ridig, so I need to stretch and get more agile!! I was exhausted but I relly am looking forward to tomorrows class.... Good luck!!WAAHOO!!

I just bought an Ab Circle Pro from Bed, Bath & Beyond. I'd seen the commercials for it and did some online research and figured it was perfect. It claims to work the arms, belly/abs, thighs/butt. I prefer to excersize at home rather then a gym. I just picked it up today(for $200)and havent even opened the box yet. I hope it lives up to my expectations.

https://www.abcirclepro.com/

Edited October 6, 201015 yr by AmyC315