Skincare help please!

[christinafin 18]

Hi all,

What skin care products do you recommend for minimising loose skin? I know exercise is the key thing to help, which I am already doing much more of, but wondered what (if any) products may help.

I am 31, 5'9 and currently 300pounds, 4 weeks prior to my op. I'm prone to bad stretch marks, so assume loose skin is going to be a problem for me. I understand it's most likely unavoidable but if there are any products that help a little, I'd like to give them a try.

I'm in the U.K. but sure I'll be able to get an equivalent of any products if we don't have the same brand here.

Thanks in advance!

Edited March 18, 2017 by christinafin

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Nothing but plastic surgery is going to really help.

With that dismal outlook. There are lots of things you can do that are low cost and even if they don't help, won't hurt.

Over 100 grams of Protein per day

collagen supplements pick any good one

A super moisturising lotion with aha and Collagen enhancements

Massages

Fascia Blasting

Lots of hydration

A few months ago I almost had a nervous breakdown about my skin. Nothing is going to fill the skin from losing literally half your body size. Each month I am under 200 lbs, it gets better, it is adjusting and shrinking. Also continuing to lose helps too. There is a worse before better stage.

Edited March 18, 2017 by OutsideMatchInside

[christinafin 18]

Thanks @OutsideMatchInside I figured it was pretty hopeless, but I want to do anything I can.

[_Kate_ 2,224]

In addition, Bio Oil is pretty good for skin. Look around at Boots and Superdrug as they tend to have offers on at the start of the spring.

Kate

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

The good thing is, you can mask most of it with clothes.

I have come to accept I will never look perfect naked. Even plastics won't help because there will still be scars. I'm okay with it.

People that start under 300 have no idea what it is like to be 300 plus, what it does to you. You won't find too many people here that start over 300 and lose anywhere close to a normal BMI. Most people start in the 200s or they start in the 300 plus and just bottom out in the 200s.

Losing a whole entire grown man like I have there are very few people that post here in that situation. You have 3 inches on me so that is to your advantage your skin might not be stretched as bad.

You were right in your assumptions about the areas with stretch marks. My areas with the really bad deep dark stretch marks have the most loose skin. The areas with light stretch marks or no stretch marks have snapped back the best.

Edited March 18, 2017 by OutsideMatchInside

[christinafin 18]

Thanks @_Kate_ I love bio oil so was planning to be pretty generous with that. Not sure if that's better than coconut oil, but will see how they go.

[_Kate_ 2,224]

I used both and having just had extensive plastic surgery, I can say that Bio Oil felt the 'nicest' to use along the scarring.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

I think bio oil is great on scars. It helped with my surgery scars. Did nothing for my loose skin at all.

[christinafin 18]

@OutsideMatchInside yes, I'm past expecting my body to be perfect too, and am actually really ok with that. But there's a difference between not being perfect, and skin being shockingly loose. I'm single, so am a little worried about it being an issue while dating. I'm actually very confident in myself naked as I am, so would hate for this to become a concern I don't have before!

[_Kate_ 2,224]

Where are you having the surgery?

[christinafin 18]

@_Kate_ @OutsideMatchInside That's really good to know! Thanks.

[christinafin 18]

2 minutes ago, _Kate_ said:

Where are you having the surgery?

The Nuffield in Glasgow. Where are you based?

[_Kate_ 2,224]

I'm in Wiltshire Christina. I had my plastics in January 2017 with the Nuffield here. They were amazing. No complaints at all!

Exciting times ahead !

[_Kate_ 2,224]

17 minutes ago, OutsideMatchInside said:

I think bio oil is great on scars. It helped with my surgery scars. Did nothing for my loose skin at all.

I would agree with this however its worth trying!

[christinafin 18]

@_Kate_ yes, very exciting! I'm a little nervous of course, but it just feels so right.

They've been great so far. Got my dietitian and psychologist appointments next week. I've had to move the op date around a few times as I'm leading a big project at work that keeps being held up. It's all working out really nicely now though!

What plastics did you have? How has the recovery been? You look great in your pic.