Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Alternate ways to deal with excess skin



Recommended Posts

Hello and Congrats to everyone! I know not everyone has a fantabulous insurance plan that will pay for all the plastics we want, so I wanted to ask everyone how have you dealt with your excess skin. There are so many myths about doing certain exercises, using body scrub to bring back elasticity etc., etc.., but truth being known, what has Really Worked? Personally, I have the flabby arms, the apron, and a big issue with my thighs (my thighs are very solid, but the excess skin makes me feel like a baby wearing a diaper).., not trying to sound gross or graphic, but am sure am not the only person who has thighs like that- and wants them Gone.

So I guess basically what I am asking is, what has each of you found that Really Worked without plastic surgery?

Again, not all of us want to go back under the knife and not all of us are covered for plastics but we all Do want options that are either affordable or free..

Thanks all for advice, suggestions and support

anything worth doing is Never easy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is the one thing that takes away from the joy of losing the weight. I lost 50 lbs in the year before I did the sleeve procedure. So in total I have now lost 79 lbs! I still have 45 to go. My thighs look like they are melting-it's frightening. No shorts for me and I'm going on a beach vacation in a month! I know I have done this to myself, but cannot imagine what another 45lb weight loss will do. I have spent the last year trying products-nothing has helped-not any of the tightening creams, tried Nu-Face on them (didn't work on turkey-neck either), scrubs, etc. I told my daughter maybe I will get 1/2 leg tattoos of an ocean scene with waves. My arms are bad, as well as my stomach and new turkey neck. My legs though are the most dramatic. I've come to realize I need a total body reconstruction. If I was 30, I would definitely bite the bullet and pay to get it done, but at 60, I'm more interested in retiring. I always have said, tan fat looks better than pale fat, not sure yet about tan saggy skin looks better than pale saggy skin. Where is our miracle!!!!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Unfortunately - Like an old elastic band - Some people have lost the elasticity in their skin and there is no way to get it to 'spring back' and we choose to go under the knife in the search of ourselves - or normality - or just the ability to feel less disfigured. Some people are lucky though - Have more elastic skin and do not have so many problems.

Tucking it in doesn't help for everyone - There is nothing I have found that helped for me - Because I knew all the time underneath I felt - In many ways - Just as disfigured as I was when I was overweight.

The only way I found my normality was to have the skin removed (Or all that I could) It is a shame there is no miracle cream or anything that helps that I know of... You could get Spanx etc to help disguise it. I decided to get the skin removed as I was feeling worse in myself after losing the weight because it made me feel like a freak.

I do hope someone on here can help you to find some ways.... Unfortunately I am afraid I could not.

Good luck!

Edited by Scamp

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My insurance company won't pay for plastics so I will be stuck with the excess skin. I have been in menopause for a long time so I think that has even made it worse. My arms really hang on the under side but the top looks pretty good. I wear compression clothing when I work out, it really helps to hold it in. I also bought a miracle suit on Amazon for thighs. I don't think anyone would notice my extra thigh skin with clothes on but look out when I go bare legged. Years ago I had a mandatory abdominoplasty because they had to do exploratory surgery for cancer. At that time they got rid of the apron and my belly button. Now my abdomen hangs but not low enough where I would approved for plastic surgery. I have more weight to lose so I am hoping my skin maintains somewhat. Not too hopeful. I love to swim so I bought swim shorts and a tankini top.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is my worst fear of loosing weight! I want to be skinny so bad but I am almost sure that I am not going to be totally happy with the results (sagging skin). There is no way I can afford plastic surgery. Someone please come up with a miracle before I loose all the weight!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It all really does depend on the person, age, skin etc. Just like pregnancy, some women are back in their jeans the day after and some never get back into them. I went to a gym a few times a week after surgery and worked really hard and still had to have plastics.

Kate

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a panni/TT. Insurance won't cover arms/thighs or boobs. I just find clothes that I feel comfortable in. IE: longer sleeves, bermuda shorts, etc... Though, I still wear tank tops and don't really care about the sagging arm skin.

I look at it as that is what I did to myself by being so fat. It's almost like a badge of honor now, the result of losing/maintaining a 170 lb weight loss. I've made peace with it, accepted that that is what I'm left with.

I also lift weights to bulk up my arms so the hanging skin doesn't look as bad....

Edited by TheRealMeIsHere!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been seeing decent results lately with Fasciablasting and dry skin brushing. It isn't plastic surgery results, but a definite improvement. Especially on my thighs.

I'm not doing weights because my goals are mainly to look good in clothes not naked. My arms are already 2x the size they should be because of the amount of skin hanging on them. Luckily the skin compresses pretty tightly so I can stuff my arms into most things. It is really causing a problem with dresses. So if I added muscle to arms that are already too big from some size 8/10 dresses and tops. I would be stuck wearing 12 or larger which look like tents on me. Same issue with legs. My waist is really small even with the skin.

I wear a lot of Shapewear and compression clothing when I work out. My skin is pretty empty for the most part, not much fat left in it, so is compresses nicely in clothes and tight clothes are the most comfortable because they don't allow the skin to move. Skin flopping around can be really uncomfortable, so compressing it and holding it tight is really comfortable.

Shorts are not in my future any time soon, even with plastics I have never seen a picture of a good thigh surgery, good enough to wear shorts. I'm a grown woman at the end of the say so wearing dresses in the summer is a better option anyway.

As far as summer/beach/water. I do active stuff Water activities so I wear like surfer stuff with rash gards and it covers everything and holds it tight. I like a lot of meshy stuff, its see through so still cute but it holds you.

Edited by OutsideMatchInside

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm really wanted get skin surgery and my baratric doctor tell me says I would wait till two years to get skin surgery I'm really wanted get rid my body sagged,arms and mores but I'm on post operation of gastric bypass surgery January 2017

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×