I’ve spent a great deal of time researching ways to combat loose skin, and while there’s no promise of perfect skin after losing a lot of weight, I’ve come up with the most common things that have supposedly been helpful when talking to and reading about people who have lost up to 100 pounds and more.

No, I’m not a skin specialist, but these are the top 10 things that I think I will do in these two months prepping for surgery Dec. 18^th. None of these items would be negative, so any benefit that does come from them will be… well... a benefit! Feel free to chime in with your own tips, too. I’ll be putting together a blog post on this soon. These are in no particular order

1) Coconut Oil – I’m slathering myself in this every day after my shower and before bed. Coconut oil keeps the skin’s connective tissues strong and supple, and can even help with skin blemishes. I’ve already noticed a major improvement in my skin health. I’ve always been prone to itchy skin and it has all completely stopped in a matter of days. Also, cooking with coconut oil is the healthiest in my opinion. Cooking with oils such as olive oil is counter-productive because once it reaches a certain temperature it starts to oxidize and release free radicals. That’s never good.

2) Body Brushing aka Dry Brushing - Releases toxins, stimulates the lymphatic system and improves circulation. Always dry brush in a circular motion, brushing toward your middle.

3) Water, Water, Water – Drink, Drink, Drink. If you’re an adult, you know this. Enough said.

4) Weight Training - Work those muscles. This one is tricky for me because I am so arthritic and have fibromyalgia and I have to literally micro-manage my every move in order to prevent adrenal fatigue, but I am so hoping, praying and wishing that once some of this weight comes off, more weight training will be possible because I love it!

5) Say NO to sun bathing and chlorine – both of these dehydrate your skin. If you’re like me and love to be in the sun, use sunscreen or good clothing coverage. But, for me, I’m personally going to avoid too much direct exposure, at least between now and goal weight. It’s a healthy practice to get into anyway. Unfortunately it can be a catch 22 though, since so many sunscreens are full of skin harming chemicals. Your best bet = cover up! And for Heavens sake – stay out of the tanning bed! If you must go swimming, even in an indoor pool, wash that chlorine off ASAP. Can you say dry skin?

6) Regular Massage – I’m a big believer in massage for too many things to list, but treating your skin to regular massage stimulates your blood cells and lymphatic system. Your skin is your largest organ – treat it nicely

7) Protein – Lots of lean protein will give your skin the collagen and elastin that it needs to stay healthy. If you eat a bunch of crap – expect your skin to be crap, too. I know this from first hand experience. Any time I get off track and start feeding my body junk food, my skin is the first thing to suffer.

8) Use Decent Soap – it doesn’t have to be the most expensive thing on the market, but cleanse your skin with a decent moisturizing cleanser and avoid over-cleansing.

9) Essential Oils – my sister has recently delved into the essential oil world and I’ve really been impressed with some of the studies that have recently been put out. Lavender oil and almond oil just to name a few, are amazing things. I add a few drops to my bath when I feel like soaking. It’s good for the skin and is relaxing, too!

10) Body Wraps – this one I hesitated to add to the list because there’s a great divide among people as to whether or not they really work. I’m not keen on the big name multi-level marketing companies, so I won’t mention any names, but seriously, you can make yourself a DIY wrap at home if you just Google how to do it. Can’t hurt, right?

I’d love to get feedback from anyone with other ideas!

Thanks! I was just about to write a post asking about this!

@@BigGirlPanties have you found it to fade stretch marks? If so, I'll buy a truckload and marinate in it every day!

your comments are making me cry laughing!!!

I can't believe I'm going to do this, but I'm going to post a pic of myself 11 months out from wls as an update. I can remember being a newbie and the whole "loose skin" and "hair loss" thing used to freak me out. You can scroll above to read my starting stats if you're interested. Consider me an experiment if you will. I'm a middle aged woman in my 40's who has had two huge babies. I am down 90 pounds from my heaviest. I spent the majority of my adult lifetime is the 160-170 pound range until I gained weight after having children. I spent maybe 10 years weighing over 200 pounds. My weight at my heaviest was 241. I weighed 226 the day of my April 2014 surgery and today I weigh 152. My surgeon's goal weight for me was 160. My goal weight is 140-145.

My skin on my tummy is horrific. I have stretch marks from two pregnancies. When I bend over I look like I could welp a litter. Upright, it isn't too bad. Nothing a tummy tuck won't repair if I decide to go down that route one day. I have virtually zero skin hanging from my arms. Some is on my thighs.

So what did I do from the list above? Not much. Yes, I drink water. Probably never the amount I should. I'm active, but I just started "exercising" this month 11 months post wls. I've never lifted weights. I hate the feel of lotion. It feels slimy to me so I've never used it. I have always used a loofa sponge and moisturizing shower cream everyday for years ("Nivea happiness" if you want specifics!). I also lost my weight realllllllly slow. I think this was a huge one. I remember reading that every time you lose weight, it takes your skin 2-3 months to adjust. I totally agree. There would be times the skin on my thighs would look horrific and then a few months later would snap into place.

I think genetics and how many years you spent overweight probably play the biggest factor. There are some warning signs that you may experience loose skin post wls. I carried the majority of my weight in my mid-section, so it doesn't surprise me this is where most of my excess skin now is. If you have pockets of fat that begin right above your elbows, you will likely have bat wings. I have learned that this journey also includes us learning to accept our new bodies. Because I have a memory of being in shape from before, I find myself being even more critical of myself and my imperfections at times. It's a process and everyday I learn to love and accept the new me a little more. Most people post pictures of themselves fully clothed on this site and I always wonder what's lurking underneath. So here I am. Be kind.

Edited March 19, 201511 yr by Bluesea71

@@Bluesea71 Omg you're gorgeous!!! Seriously this post inspired me today. I doubted if I could get to my goal weight and now I want to get there so much!

You look GREAT. Thank you so much for posting.

Edited March 19, 201511 yr by JustWatchMe

You look awesome! Congratulations

I find this interesting, that you mentioned two things that I am knowledgeable with. Coconut oil and good quality soap.

I make soap and body butters. Both contain coconut oil, essential oils, and can also contain almond, avocado, EVOO, apricot oil, and Argon oil depending on what formulation I use.

Handcrafted soap is awesome.