How is everyone dealing with skin and scars from surgery? I am 4 weeks out and I want to be proactive on what I can do. I fear skins is going to be an issue as I have much difficulty with drinking enough water. What else can I do or what have you guys tried and been successful. Also I don't think exercise helps with hanging belly skin.

I intend to exercise and weight train to firm up - if that apron-like swath of skin resolves itself - fine. If not there are Spanx - until I save the money for the Boob Job and Tummy Tuck

Exercise isn't really a solution for ANY of the loose skin. What it does is tone the muscles under the skin - in some cases, the skin isn't quite as loose because you've reshaped your physique and muscles are filling some of the area where fat used to live.

As far as skin, the best suggestions I've seen is to keep hydrated (I know you said you were having issues with that; keep trying!), keep the skin supple with appropriate use of lotion or cream, and make sure your nutrition is good - get your Protein, get your Vitamins and minerals. I was told to expect that my skin will tighten slowly, over the next 18 months as I slim down, but to expect that I will eventually need at least a panniculectomy (where the belly apron is removed) even if the other skin tightens up fairly well. We shall see.

I can only speak for myself, but my skin isn't too bad & I've lost 67# since surgery & 106# overall. I drink at least 50 oz of water daily. Sometimes I can get a lot more, but when it's much less I feel it in my bones. I also use body scrub or a loofah in the shower & baby oil afterwards. I also use Nivea skin firming Q10 lotion in between (maybe once/day), & take my vitamins. I also get a fair amount of cardio in & do yoga for strength training. I'm not saying I don't have saggy spots, but they are nowhere near as bad as I imagined they'd be.

I can only speak for myself' date=' but my skin isn't too bad & I've lost 67# since surgery & 106# overall. I drink at least 50 oz of Water daily. Sometimes I can get a lot more, but when it's much less I feel it in my bones. I also use body scrub or a loofah in the shower & baby oil afterwards. I also use Nivea skin firming Q10 lotion in between (maybe once/day), & take my Vitamins. I also get a fair amount of cardio in & do yoga for strength training. I'm not saying I don't have saggy spots, but they are nowhere near as bad as I imagined they'd be.[/quote']

Also how old are you?

Also how old are you?

I'm 34 with 2 kids, so my belly will always be a hot mess! Lol but it's a smaller, less overhang-y mess!