Is it true? Do people who lose like 100-150-200 pounds have extra skin just hanging around?

What a nightmare... to finally reach a goal and still have tons of flab????

:(

Nivuar,

I think this issue varies greatly from one person to another. I also think age plays a big part in it. I do know as we age our skin loses elasticity, and the skin just doesn't snap back into place. I've lost about 105 pounds myself so far, and this has been an issue for me. Yes, I do have a lot of loose skin. I've been working the various muscle groups trying to tone it up, but it really hasn't helped my loose skin much. For me it's mainly my stomach, upper arms, and thighs. Yes, I'd love to get rid of the loose skin, but for now I'm just going to work on losing this last 50 pounds I need to get rid of. The loose skin is definitely better than the extra weight was. I no longer try to hide it, I wear shorts, and sleeveless shirts......it's just who I am right now. I will say though if I had insurance that covered it...I would definitely have the surgery to remove it once I reached goal. Just remember...each individual is different.

Vicki

As a nurse in surgery I have seen firsthand how weight-loss can result in loose, hanging skin and have assisted in procedures such as tummy-tucks. As a person who is also older and losing weight I am also currently confronted with the spectre of flabby skin. It is most evident on my upper arms (of course) and I have not had a great deal of weight to lose, 20 down and 20 to go. This skin has been rather stressful for me and I am not sure how much it will actually recede at my age. I am also trying to work on toning, and hope that time will help some of this. Someone, especially someone older, who has lost a great deal of weight, may not experience a complete disappearance of that flab. In all honesty, if I had a great deal of hanging skin, I would probably have it surgically dealt with. I have personally seen some amazing transformations. But I wouldn't do it unless I had given up all hope on my body readjusting itself. Surgery is always serious business.......:(