Another excess/extra skin question- probably dumb...

[lilbearzmom 584]

At over six months out from surgery I should know most of the answers. Unfortunately at 6 months out and 20 lbs from initial goal I am really starting to think about my loose skin and how I am going to deal with it. Thing is, I don't understand what it is, exactly. Is it stretched skin or ACTUAL extra skin or both? Did my body produce extra skin cells as I gained weight or do you have a set amount that stretches? Please enlighten me. I have probably 8-10 lbs of the stuff seems like. The only good thing about that is that I can say, well, maybe I am actually 10 lbs lighter....LOL

[Arts137 1,811]

"google" 'loose skin after weight loss' and check the images or youtubes!

[mom2five 292]

I will be 6 months out tomorrow as well. I have loose skin too... it's not too bad yet, and I hope it doesn't get really awful but I do have it and I don't like it.

I think it is just stretched skin. Some people's skin seems to go right back to normal when they lose weight and other people's skin seems to stay stretched out. I think it has to do with age, genetics, and how long you were overweight having the skin stretched out. I don't think we produce more skin cells.. it just gets all stretched out.

Congrats on almost being at goal!!

[Nicolanz 1,484]

It's stretched skin. The faster you lose weight, the harder it is for your skin to catch up. Over time collagen fibers repair themselves and tightens the skin some or completely. It just depends on how well your elasticity can regenerate, how big you were, how long you've been overweight, etc.