Hi, I am in the 6 month waiting period for insurance and was wondering if anyone did anything in advance of their surgery that helped avoid having loose skin? I am not that worried about it since I would much rather be healthy and have loose skin but just thought I would take advantage of the waiting period and do everything I could to prepare. I've read that castor oil is really good but just wondering if anyone else had any luck with anything else? My BMI is only 36 and if I lose more than 8 pounds during the waiting period, I will be below 35 and lose my benefit so unfortunately, hard core dieting isn't an option for me. ???? Appreciate any tips or suggestions for things to do during the never ending waiting period.

Results depend on your age. The older we get, the less likely it is that our skin will bounce back. Just in case it might do any good, I exfoliate my abdomen every time I shower, then dry it off and rub it down with almond oil. Whether it helps or not, the skin on my belly is as soft as a baby's butt.

Going into my third year, I have decided to focus on fitness, and not so much with the numbers. Right now I am eligible for a panni, but I am trying to avoid it. I'll decide at the end of the year after I see what results I get with an aggressive training program. My mantras for 2016 are:

Eat Leaner -Train Meaner

Get Fit In The Gym - Lose Weight In The Kitchen

Hunger Is Not An Emergency

Walk Away From The chocolate

I suspect that with my size, I will look something like Droopy Dawg. Only... everywhere.

I'll fight it, but worth it for me.

What my surgeon told me was LOTS of water pre op and post op, Water is the best thing for your skin. Also to use a good lotion. I actually use Nerium (you can only buy it through a rep) and to be honest I can't believe how well it has worked for me post op. I still have loose skin but it's not as bad as it could be.

9 months post op, I have some loose skin especially around my tummy and thighs, it will adjust when you're done losing weight, of course I'm a bit younger than most who have the surgery as well.

As everyone says, aside from age, Water and Vitamins is critical for success, so is typical skin maintenance, I use organic skin tightening lotions and bathe with sesame oil after using fragrance free soap. Try to shower in cold water as well, keeps the pores tight. I've noticed my skin collapsing right back into itself very quickly as I do this with fitness. Of course as you mentioned the most important thing is being healthy, it isn't ideal but you could always get it tucked back in; but assume that is truly worst case scenario.

There is nothing you can do to prevent loose skin. When you inflate a balloon and then let the air out the balloon can never go back to it's original pristine shape again. The same with skin.

The amount of loose skin you will have will depend on many factors such as how obese you were and your genetics.

One can always have plastic surgery to remove excess skin if it is a concern.

Thanks all! I'm really not super concerned about it. Like I said, I just want to take full advantage of the painfully long waiting period by doing everything possible to prepare. I'd rather have the surgery tomorrow and deal with loose skin than to wait another second but sadly, that isn't an option. I appreciate all of the tips. I've been using oil as well as some cellulite cream (what do I have to lose, right?!) and will stay on the water. ????

Here's a great article:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/359683-the-6-things-you-can-do-to-minimize-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/#entry4060165

I'd say use a great lotion, take your vitamins, workout, drink water. Your not that heavy so probably won't have much depending on your age.

Thanks. I just turned 34 a week ago so I'm not that young! Not that old either. ????

I'm 35. I had a huge stomach before, and also two huge babies. My stomach has loose skin and a fold on the lower part. When I lean over it hangs pretty bad. My arms are normal with a tiny bit of softness, legs the same. My butt sags. I had a huge double chin before and now I have a little but of loose skin under my chin.

I will have a 360 tummy tuck with butt lift and a chin lift. That's it.

I don't reallllllllly even need those but I want to feel 100 percent great. The loose skin is minimal.

My stats before were bmi 40 and now bmi 18.