I currently weigh close to 15 stones. I'm 5'5 and have a BMI of approximately 34. I think I have a very big tummy. There are white stretch marks on it (which I'm not that bothered about) but I am scared of having loose skin. It looks like I am pregnant after I eat or drink anything. My tummy tends to protrude right out (like a pregnant woman) but there is also a slight overhang. Will people with overhangs almost definitely get loose skin if they were going to lose approximately 7 stones? I am hoping to get a gastric band but have yet to see the surgeon. I have heard that gradual weight loss, toning exercises and rubbing various scrubs into skin, as well as moisturizing, helps to reduce loose skin. However, is there any way to tell in advance if loose skin is going to be a problem? I am worried about my breasts as well... I'm around a 40 C at present. Does anyone have the experience of sagging skin after losing a lot of weight? Thanks, N.

Loose skin is not a given for everyone, there are many factors which can affect whether u get it or not. Age, genetics, hormones, amount of weight to lose, diet, exercise etc, the list of factors is quite extensive. As u already have stretch marks it may well be that your skin might be a tad saggy afterwards but not a lot given your starting weight. Unlike me I had so much to lose that it was almost guaranteed that i would get it and boy i got a ton of it , i recently had plastic surgery to remove it and i also had a repair to my stomach muscles. From what u describe you have exactly the same problem that i had its called Diastasis Recti i suggest u google it and do the self test u can do to see if this is your problem, i used to eat just a tiny amount and my stomach would stick out like i had eaten a feast. The ab muscles have lost their ability to keep your stomach in place and it sticks out.

Its unlikely if this is your problem that this can be cured, it can be helped and improved but it is unlikely to be a 'flat stomach' ever again without surgical intervention like i had to have ... I lost all that weight but was really ashamed of my tummy due to this problem as no clothes could hide it, but now i cannot tell you how its so nice to have a normal looking stomach again.