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While it varies, mild weight loss (think: 20 pounds or less) typically doesn’t lead to excess skin, Zuckerman says. Weight loss of 40 to 50 pounds can seem as massive as a weight loss of 100+ pounds. But loose skin post-weight loss is also a product of the weight gain itself.
See For Yourself. The loose skin is caused by losing a huge amount of weight – as in, 100 pounds or more – in a very short amount of time. It can happen when the weight is lost through diet and exercise, but it happens more often to weight-loss surgery patients. With a slower, more gradual weight loss,
You are not alone as loose or saggy skin is a common problem after losing a large amount of weight (more than about 50 to 100 pounds) in a short period of time. In time, you may see improvements in your skin’s elasticity, but some people may require surgery to remove excess skin.
Medical or surgical treatments are more invasive options to tighten loose skin after major weight loss. People who have lost a significant amount of weight via bariatric surgery or other weight loss methods often request surgery to remove excess skin ( 22 ).
Why does my skin get loose after weight loss?
Several factors contribute to loose skin following weight loss: Length of time overweight: In general, the longer someone has been overweight or obese, the looser their skin will be after weight loss due to elastin and collagen loss.
). Genetics: Genes may affect how your skin responds to weight gain and loss. Sun exposure: Chronic sun exposure has been shown to reduce skin’s collagen and elastin production, which may contribute to loose skin ( 6.
During weight gain, skin expands to make room for increased growth in the abdomen and other parts of the body. Pregnancy is one example of this expansion.
Alternative Medical Procedures. Although body-contouring surgery is by far the most common procedure to remove loose skin, there are also less invasive options with a lower risk of complications: VelaShape: This system uses a combination of infrared light, radiofrequency and massage to reduce loose skin.
As a result, they lose some of their ability to retract ( 1. Trusted Source. ). Consequently, when someone loses a lot of weight, excess skin hangs from the body. In general, the greater the weight loss, the more pronounced the loose skin effect.
In body-contouring surgery, a large incision is made, and excess skin and fat are removed. The incision is sutured with fine stitches in order to minimize scarring. Specific body-contouring surgeries include: Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): Removal of skin from the abdomen.
Skin expansion during pregnancy occurs over a few months’ time, and the expanded skin typically retracts within several months of the baby’s birth. By contrast, most overweight and obese people carry extra weight for years, often beginning as early as childhood or adolescence.
How to avoid sagging skin?
How to Avoid Loose Skin. While you won’t be able to completely prevent loose skin if you’re losing large amounts of weight, losing weight slowly is the best way to avoid excessive sagging. Most experts recommend aiming for 1 to 2 pounds a week, which translates to 4 to 8 pounds per month.
Body contouring surgery is an expensive and serious procedure requiring a long recovery time. Plastic surgery experts recommend waiting at least a year after weight loss to allow your weight to stabilize before considering body contouring plastic surgery.
Age : As you get older, your skin becomes less elastic. 2 . Amount of weight you lost: Weight loss of 100 pounds or more typically results in a greater amount of hanging skin. Genetics: Genes influence how much firmness your skin retains as you get older. Some people are just more susceptible to sagging skin than others.
Nutrition and water intake: Your skin may not be as healthy or firm if you aren’t getting balanced nutrition, vitamins, and minerals (especially vitamins C and E) and staying hydrated. 4 . Smoking: Smoking can speed up the normal aging process of your skin.
What to do if you have loose skin after bariatric surgery?
Then, if you have loose skin you’re concerned about—or if you have loose skin after bariatric surgery—do your homework and get in touch with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to learn about your options, suggests Jacobs.
Well, in short, it’s usually linked with rapid weight loss, so it’s a common conundrum among people who undergo bariatric surgery for massive weight loss (more than 100 pounds), explains Jordan Jacobs, M.D., an assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. In fact, about 70 percent of people who …
Also: Building muscle—by way of a solid exercise regimen with strength training work—is always a good idea. Plus, it can make your skin look tauter, says Holly Wyatt, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Colorado.
It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also fixable. The aftermath of weight loss is often expected and welcomed: higher energy levels, smaller pants, and a more defined body. But there is one unexpected challenge: keeping skin tight while losing weight.
In fact, about 70 percent of people who undergo the procedure are left with excess skin, some studies find. “Losing weight rapidly doesn’t give our skin adequate time to gradually contract and this results in loose, hanging skin,” he says. But loose skin post-weight loss is also a product of the weight gain itself.
Can you tighten loose skin? Besides the non-invasive and minimally-invasive options out there that are somewhat effective, (but, again, usually only for those with mild cases) there’s no magic cream or exercise that’s going to tighten loose skin after weight loss on its own.
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