Training & Nutrition - Your skin after a big weight loss

I'm dropping some serious wieght right now and was wondering if anyone who has lost a hundred or more pounds through biking had a lot of loose skin? Thanks

You mean like hanging loose skin, stretch marks, or dimpling like cottage cheese?
I know a few people who have lost weight who have that.

That's what I'm talking about

You mean like hanging loose skin, stretch marks, or dimpling like cottage cheese?
I know a few people who have lost weight who have that.

I lost 82 pounds and do not have any loose skin. You have to put on muscle while you are losing to prevent that.

I lost 82 pounds and do not have any loose skin. You have to put on muscle while you are losing to prevent that.

I always heard from these diet plans that it's impossible to both lose weight and bulk up. They recommend losing weight first, then putting on muscle separately.

I always heard from these diet plans that it's impossible to both lose weight and bulk up. They recommend losing weight first, then putting on muscle separately.

I worked out at the same time as I was losing weight and I have nothing to complain about.

[QUOTE]I worked out at the same time as I was losing weight and I have nothing to complain about.


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That's what I'm doing right now and so far so good. Still I worry a little about the loose skin. Also I don't want to get really muscular.

I lost 175 pounds, and I have a good amount of loose skin. It bothers me to a point, but I don't think it's that big of a deal. I mainly have it on my stomach and my arse, so it's nowhere that people often see. My legs are pretty solid, so they don't have any loose skin at all. I've been told that the only way to get rid of it is through plastic surgery. I hope that's not the case.

Also I don't want to get really muscular.

That's my problem now. I like the way I look, but I am now too muscular to be really fast in cycling. I am trying to drop some of the muscle that I have put on. For instance, I have a 41" chest and a 31 1/2" waist. My chest sucks!

I always heard from these diet plans that it's impossible to both lose weight and bulk up. They recommend losing weight first, then putting on muscle separately.

If you're in really bad shape, I would think it would be possible to put on muscle while losing weight. Someone already in fairly good physical condition wouldn't be able to though.

I lost 175 pounds, and I have a good amount of loose skin. It bothers me to a point, but I don't think it's that big of a deal. I mainly have it on my stomach and my arse, so it's nowhere that people often see. My legs are pretty solid, so they don't have any loose skin at all. I've been told that the only way to get rid of it is through plastic surgery. I hope that's not the case.

Its not really plastic surgery, they just remove extra skin. Heck if you did it right you may be able to donate it to a burn patient. It may slowly get a little better on its own with a few years time I can't say for sure though, ask some women that had kids they often have this problem.

Good thing i'm not a woman.

I'm dropping some serious wieght right now and was wondering if anyone who has lost a hundred or more pounds through biking had a lot of loose skin? Thanks

I suppose it depends on the person. I have lost about 50 lbs from my high and I don't seem to have any or maybe I am not absorbed in such things. I mean if my skin kinda covers my body adequately, I am pretty content. I am just interested in function. Also I think my skin is sort of elastic.

I have known people who have lost very nearly 100 lbs by bicycling and not had the problem.

I have a friend who is a plastic surgeon and he says that people who lose a very large amount of weight do sometimes have a problem with loose skin hanging around. It is unslightly and they worked so hard it seems only right that they look their very best possible. He has done proceedures where he has removed excess skin from such individuals so it is done and I guess fairly routinely. So if you have this problem, there is a fix.

I'm now down to 215lbs from my max of 340lbs. I don't notice this problem much. I think this issue is one seen more commonly with rapid weight loss. My weight loss has come over several years through lifestyle changes. If you are having physical issues caused by the loose skin, I would suggest seeing your doctor for advice.

[QUOTE]I think this issue is one seen more commonly with rapid weight loss.

Coupled with a lack of physical activity! (READ: NO LIFE STYLE CHANGE) I'm actually doing fine and don't have any loose skin as of now. My peak was about 330 lbs, I've lost a lot of fat and not gained to much muscle, and the skin looks nice and snug all around, so I'm reall happy about that. Just exercise. I'm not considering surgery or anything like that. I'm just probing for experiences people have had. If I have loose skin, so be it.

[QUOTE]I think this issue is one seen more commonly with rapid weight loss.

Coupled with a lack of physical activity! (READ: NO LIFE STYLE CHANGE) I'm actually doing fine and don't have any loose skin as of now. My peak was about 330 lbs, I've lost a lot of fat and not gained to much muscle, and the skin looks nice and snug all around, so I'm reall happy about that. Just exercise. I'm not considering surgery or anything like that. I'm just probing for experiences people have had. If I have loose skin, so be it.

Well, I cycled my way to this weight loss, so there was no lack of physical activity. I just lost the weight really fast.

I'm not trying to pin anyone down. I was thinking about people who get stapled and loose a hundred pounds in a month with no excersice or real change in food, besides volume. I don't have a problem with that, it's just not my style. Dropping 175 through cycling is inspirational to say the least -and certainly a positive statement about you.

I would recommend that you find a brush made with a natural fiber bristle like tampico. Keep this in the shower and start massaging your skin with the brush on a regular basis. Use an olive oil based soap and scrub with the brush if your skin doesn't dry out to easy. This will stimulate blood flow to the skin, promote elasticity, and may help in keeping the skin "tight".

The best way to stimulate the skin is to dry brush yourself all over at least once a day. It takes time to strengthen the skin to tolerate this but once you do, you will notice a marked improvement in your skin tone.

You could also rub olive oil into your skin after you dry brush, then towel it off till you feel like it's gone. That will leave a residue high in Vitamin E and other healthy oils and minerals.

I always heard from these diet plans that it's impossible to both lose weight and bulk up. They recommend losing weight first, then putting on muscle separately.

Forget diet plans, just continuously work out, and regulate your fat/carb intake. That's it. Don't cut out either altogether, you need carbs, and a very small amount of fat in your diet. I lost weight like mad at first, then hit a plateau. What happened was i was building muscle...but i was losing fat...so nbow i have that big bellay/ skinny legs thing going on.

It's all about exchanging fat weight for muscle weight, and that only comes through exercise.

Forget diet plans, just continuously work out, and regulate your fat/carb intake. That's it.

That is definitely the best approach!

Its not really plastic surgery, they just remove extra skin. Heck if you did it right you may be able to donate it to a burn patient. It may slowly get a little better on its own with a few years time I can't say for sure though, ask some women that had kids they often have this problem.

It is considered reconstructive plastic surgery and insurance will probably pay for it since you did the weight loss all by yourself. I won't gaurentee the insurance thing though.

Unfortunately the excess skin can not be donated to burn victims because it has so stretched. It has basically lost it's viability.

Many people that lose 100+ pounds have this problem, men and women. I look forward to it, except for the droopy boobie thing. :eek:

I'm not trying to pin anyone down. I was thinking about people who get stapled and loose a hundred pounds in a month with no excersice or real change in food, besides volume. I don't have a problem with that, it's just not my style. Dropping 175 through cycling is inspirational to say the least -and certainly a positive statement about you.


Sorry, not angry, just want to clear up a misconception. People that get "stapled" make major changes in what they eat and also exercise almost daily. I am required no less than 4 days of cardio a week. Maybe that is just my Dr. but all other WLS patients I have talked to have similar exercise requirements.

I am glad it is not your lifestyle. To have it you go through hell. Some people have even tried killing themselves because they hate themselves so much. I had it done to be able to live. There is no way I would have my mental state if I did not have it done. A month ago (today) I never would have thought about getting a bike or riding for 2 reasons. 1) I didn't see the point in investing more money in me because i didnt think I deserved it. 2) I didn't think I caould get one that would hold me.

I woke after surgery thinking I deserve to have a good life. I took control of my life by the only means left...I had discussions with the dietician and Dr about this. I have also found that I am willing to invest a couple hundred (3-400) on a good starter hybrid bike and can always upgrade to a road bike if I feel the need and when I can afford the increased cost. Since I can only eat @2 oz at a time right now I think I will save money pretty fast. :D

[QUOTE]I woke after surgery thinking I deserve to have a good life.

Indeed, you do! I wish you the best (READ: many years of riding!)!