Mysticial
Posted: Jan. 23 2007, 22:51 ET

I was just wondering if any of you have issues with saggy skin? I was told by loosing weight so fast that I will end up with loose skin all over and not be happy with my success.
I am so worried about that happening, since i have 138 lbs to loose. If any of you have any insight to this please enlighten me. Also if you dont and have lost lots of weight what did you do to prevent it?

Thank you

Michelle
Posted: Jan. 23 2007, 23:13 ET

Hey Sarah - I have some but not near what I was fearing when I first started the diet.  I have worked out at Curves regularily since before I started the diet and I am convinced that has definately helped.  In my B4 & during pics, I posted a picture of me in a bathing suit so you could somewhat see what my skin looks like.   When I started the diet, I planned on needing a tummy tuck when I was done but now that I am where I'm at, I've pretty much decided that it's not bad enough to do that right away.  It seems to tighten up over time and it's easily hidden with clothes so I'm going to give it a year and see if I really need it.

Debby
Posted: Jan. 23 2007, 23:36 ET

Hi Sarah. I've lost almost 100 lbs (not all of it on Dr. B) and I thought things would be a lot looser and saggier than they're turning out to be. I'm 46 so I know my skin elasticity isn't as good as it used to be. But I'm surprised that I'm not quite as Shar Pei-ish as I thought I'd be.

I think when I'm done I'll still be seriously considering a tummy tuck. I'll have lost 200 lbs in total. I'll have to see when I get there.

Zerocool
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 14:08 ET

my skin is very elasticky (real word?) -lol
When your body loses the weight this way the skin usually goes with it. Just make sure to drink water! That's the secret, the loose skin you see on tv is usually from people dieting themselves and not having the right vitamins and enough water. On the Dr.B diet, things pretty much shrink together.
Something to consider, go to the swimming pool. I know that you might be self conscience, but you're committing to lose weight so who cares what you look like in that suit? You'll be buying a smaller one soon enough . By going to the pool and signing up for aquasize (usually old ladies who don't care or can't see what you look like anyway) or doing regular lengths in the pool will definately take care of any loose skin. You get firm muscles too! I was pretty damaged in a car accident and so I started off doing lengths in the pool but rather than swim I walked. It turned out to be fantastic exercise! If you're not much of a swimmer walking in the pool is a really good way to start. You feel lighter in the water and it gives you some pretty good resistence. After a couple of lengths, you'll begin to sweat- in the water!
Anyway, the pool is working for me. Maybe you'll try too.

BrianB
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 16:55 ET

Hi Sarah.  Well, I've lost more than you need to lose at this point, and while I have a little flop in my belly and inner thighs, I have to echo what Michelle and others have said -- it keeps up really well, and if I have a little sagginess when I'm done, I can live with it.  I had a total of 170 pounds to lose, and the way I see it, I don't think if I'd have lost it "slow" the skin would have been any different, and more importantly, if I had to lose it slow, I'd never have lost it because I'd have never stayed interested that long.

Mysticial
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 17:03 ET

thank you everyone for taking the time to repnd to my concerns. I feel alot better now and am jut a excited to loose my weight than ever.

It is hard cause your loved ones always think they know what is best for you and must tell you what they think. I just have to say thank you and turn a deaf ear, cause unless they are on the program they have no idea what excatly is happening and what is supposed to.

i may just try the swimming idea. Thank you always look for fun fitness ideas.

BrianB
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 17:24 ET

When I first started the diet I gave my wife an explicit commandment: "you are not allowed to talk to me about this diet in any way, shape, or form -- if you go researching things on the Internet and find it it is going to kill me, or whatever, I don't want to know about it".

That was in the beginning when I didn't want any little thing shaking my resolve or weakening my determination to see it through.

Of course she did it anyway, provoking a rather energetic response from me about what I thought of her selfishness.  Perhaps you can issue a gag order to your loved ones and have better success than I did.

Fortunately, I was not deterred -- further, I'm not dead yet either.

Zerocool
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 17:46 ET

Yes Brian,
But how's your SAGGY SKIN? LOL- hijacker.

BrianB
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 17:55 ET

Quote (Zerocool @ Jan. 24 2007,17:46)

Yes Brian, But how's your SAGGY SKIN? LOL- hijacker.

Hahaha.  Hey, I addressed the saggy skin in a separate post and then Mystical changed the topic to well-meaning relatives --  which is her prerogative since she started the topic.  

Oriana
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 18:28 ET

Hi Mystical

I brought this very question up with the doctor at my clinic.  He basically said ... "saggy skin? maybe some. but it's  better than diabetes ... certainly better than dying before your time due to excess weight... try to exercise a bit and worry about saggy skin when and if it happens"
That made sense to me and so here I am!

Dekes
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 22:47 ET

A quick note on Brian's reply above re: Gag order on the wife...
I have only been on the diet for a week, but wouldn't have lasted a day without my wife.  She has been so supportive of me and I couldn't imagine not talking about the diet with her.  Every time I finish with my weigh in I call her to update her on my loss.  All we do is talk about it, and I find discussing it with her helps me a lot. She is participating with me, (not as a patient), but we are cooking and preparing meals together, shopping for groceries and sharing the experience.
It is sooooo helpful.  With her help input (and dare I say an eventual nag here and there), I KNOW I'll make my goal sooner than I had hoped.

If you want my opinion, I think everyone should seek the support of their loved ones rather than avoid their input.

Happy losing!  

Mysticial
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 23:27 ET

dekes,

I agree that you should deffinatly look towards your loved ones for support and not too ignore them. I think Brian was only talking about the ones with the negative responses though.

I too rely greatly on my Boyfriend for support and encouragement with my journey. He is wonderful not always good with his food choices but does encourage me to keep on going. I also call him when i weigh in good or bad mostly good!! (i hope)

I do have some family that does voice their OWN opinion too much and I still love them for looking out for me but choose not to discuss my success with them ,they will be able to see it for themselves, along with my improved self esteem!

BrianB
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 23:34 ET

Dekes and Mystical are both right.  And my wife is very supportive of me on the diet now.  But, in the beginning I knew that her scientific, analytical, cynical mind (normally good things in my book) would go searching for a thousand reasons I shouldn't try this diet.  I had made up my mind to do it and didn't want to be talked out of it.

If you've got friends, loved ones, etc., that will support your efforts, of course you should let them.  I'm just saying if you have well-meaning people who are going to hold you back tell them to keep it to themselves.

Dekes
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 23:42 ET

You have come a long way Brian, so whether you have done it alone or with a supporting wife you deserve a huge pat on the back.  Well done!

BrianB
Posted: Jan. 24 2007, 23:51 ET

Thanks Dekes!  And, welcome to the forums, and I love your avatar.  Yah I want some cheesey poofs...