First, let me preface this by saying that this post is only meant for positive tips, suggestions, and encouragement for those who are seriously interested in helping each other come up with ideas that is a concern on everyone's mind. It is not meant to be a post for negativity or criticism. I'm not trying to offend anyone. I just don't arguments about whether we should or should not worry about saggy skin.

So, if I'm being honest with everyone, like many of you, I worry about how my skin is going to look after surgery. I know my numbers are going to look better after surgery, but what I worry about most is the skin. For myself, being in the health field, I know what kind of health problems can come from extra skin, such as sores, infection, odors. Whatever your concern for not wanting extra skin, it's a good reason.

Knowing there is going to be some extra skin afterward, I have been doing some research on what can be done BEFORE surgery to help MINIMIZE saggy skin after surgery. Here is what I found so far...

Strength Training: can build muscles that will help fill the void where the fat used to be.

Drinking water: will help make skin build more elasticity to shrink back (somewhat) with time.

Biotin: taking 3000 MG daily helps with hair, skin, and nails.

I mentioned these to my Dietician and she agreed with me on all these. If anyone has anything extra to add or has tried any of these, please feel free to add or correct.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone had liposuction before weight loss surgery?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Honeybee17

Carbs are not necessary to live. Most man made carbs were just invented to provide cheap calories to laborers and peasants.

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Science-Low-Carbohydrate-Living/dp/0983490708/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Science-Low-Carbohydrate-Performance/dp/0983490716/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Numerous studies support this. Not to mention, most of human history.

Still not sure what this had to do with the topic of the main post. I didn't mention carbs. Dies it have anything to do with helping to minimize saggy skin after WLS?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

What prep work did you do pre surgery? Was there anything you tried?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Was this question for me or the previous poster? I will be scheduled in about 3 months. I an strength training, drinking Water, taking Vitamins, and using lotion on my skin. Some people say that skin can't go back, but that is NOT true. It will, but it takes work and time. It won't go back by much, but some of it will. We just have to take care of it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone had liposuction before weight loss surgery?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I haven't. I did call one place and they told me that they like to have someone 20-30 within their goal weight before getting lipo.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Losing weight s l o w l y has been frustrating at times, but the silver lining is that it's helped to prevent sagging skin and hair loss. My skin is firmer than it was pre-surgery. There are tips on Pinterest about how to minimize loose skin, such as staying hydrated, eating nutritiously, exercising, and using various types of creams and scrubs. I just use a salt scrub from the farmer's market followed by an in-shower lotion by Nivea, and then apply lotion again when I step out. Once a week I take a soak with bath oil and salts and read a paperback. That had been my routine prior to surgery because of dry skin (which has improved the most by simply shortening my daily showers and the heat of them). Swimming is supposed to be an excellent way of toning your skin, though I still haven't incorporated it into my routine. Some women said that body wraps and massages had helped them. As others have stated, a lot of it really depends on factors beyond your control like genetics and age.

Those are great tips! Thank you so much for sharing! I have heard the same thing about swimming and one thing I love about it is that it is also low impact.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Adding to what you said in your initial post I also take collagen, I feel that it helps.

I am only 3 months out, lost 42lbs and do all that you said on your post and have no saggy skin hope it will stay that way.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That is very encouraging! So many posters are saying that it never goes back, but I wonder if that is because they are not doing everything they can BEFORE surgery. How and where did you find collagen? Thank you for sharing.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Nothing will shrink your skin. I had a tummy tuck 8 years ago. Best thing ever!!!

Sent from my SM-G928P using the BariatricPal App

I disagree. One of the functions of the skin is to shrink and expand to meet the demands of the body, such as becoming pregnant. It just needs to be treated right by staying hydrated and moisturized.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Carbs are essential for health too. They are the fuel that keeps the body going, but when you severely limit carbohydrates, you restrict readily available energy. This can result in fatigue, weakness, dizziness and headaches. The symptoms are more severe for those with an active lifestyle or regular exercise routine. The primary cause is the lack of glucose to fuel your muscles -- the fatigue, weakness, dizziness and headaches worsen the lower your energy stores become.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

I was responding to this. You don't need carbs to live.

Adding to what you said in your initial post I also take collagen, I feel that it helps.

I am only 3 months out, lost 42lbs and do all that you said on your post and have no saggy skin hope it will stay that way.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That is very encouraging! So many posters are saying that it never goes back, but I wonder if that is because they are not doing everything they can BEFORE surgery. How and where did you find collagen? Thank you for sharing.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

I got mine at Sprouts but I think you can find them easy.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone had liposuction before weight loss surgery?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had lipo but it was several years before my sleeve. Do you mean just before?

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App