Because the band lets us lose weight slowly, some skin bounces back. But I have always had big arms, and as I lose weight, I notice my upper(outside) arms are getting smaller, but fat and skin is just hanging down, especially by my elbow area. It it gross and throws of my weight loss look. Is there a cream or something I can use to tighten up those areas? I don't want big buff arms from working out either. Just tones arms. I know they will NEVER be small due to genetics, and I am ok with that. I just don't want arms looking fatter then they are due to all this dangling...

I sure hope someone comes back with a great answer to this question. I've never really had a problem with my arms but with the weightloss I am now struting mudd flaps, 18 wheelers have nothing on me. good luck with this.

My arms bug me too. From what I've read here and researched unfortunely people do turn to PS a lot for that stubborn area.

Gain weight! Seriously though, while you can build and tone muscle UNDERNEATH the skin, skin is it's own organ. It will shrink for a year or so after you have lost, then what you see is what you get. Sorry. People may say "exercise" and that's good for you but again, it will build muscle (or tone) and if you build enough muscle, it will fill up the skin like the fat did (if that makes sense?)

BUT...if you don't want to buff up to take up the slack, you're left with surgery.

LOL Oprah has called them "Bat Wings" So where does the incision go for the bat wing removal? I think my thighs are going to sag around my knee caps!!!!

Working out may help tone down your arms BUT it could be a long process and no guarantee how much it can lessen the fat or the skin in your arms. Plastic surgery is the fastest and maybe the most effective solution to your problem. So the decision is yours. :smile:

I have seen ads for cream to rub on your skin that is supposed to tighten it, has anyone ever tried them?

als4...I don't think it works. Once our skin is overstretched (much like a balloon or a rubber band, except skin is alive) it's overstretched. Surgery is the most effective solution...removing the extra. Sorry!

The lotions that purport to tighten skin do improve superficial appearance temporarily--but not to the extent required for bona fide batwings. I use CC Booth's 4-in-1 lotion. The Lemon Sugar is delicious-smelling, and it does improve skin appearance. I bought it not even knowing it contained caffeine to tighten skin--it's just a really nice lotion. I've really liked the tightening results, but it's not at all dramatic.

They used to recommend waiting a year to eighteen months after reaching goal to have PS to correct skin deformities caused by loss. And you can do this. Over time, there may be some improvement--which means there may be slightly less correction to be made.

But if there is significant stretching/sagging, there's no real need to wait. I have been told it's a good idea, from a nutritional standpoint, to be in maintaining mode for a handful of months--but I'm not sure this is something that's particularly necessary for those who are paying close attention to things like Protein and Vitamin intake during loss, like most lapbanders.

The surgeon I've talked with likes his patients to be steady at goal for a few months just because huge changes in weight after surgery can compromise results. He feels less strongly about this for bariatric surgery patients, though, because recidivism is lower.