[thin4good]

Hey all,

When I lost all the weight the last time I was very disappointed in how much extra skin I had. I realize I'm going to have it again this time, but I'd like to also do as much as I can to improve my skin's elasticity. I'm currently combining Nivea's anti cellulite loation with L-carnitine and also Niveas pregnancy lostion to help with elasticity.

The last time I lost weight I'd never been a lotion girl and I could see where regularly applying lotion could have helped improve elasticity.

I'm wondering if there's some supplement I should be taking though? I'm taking a hair skin and nail multi-vitamin w/ 100% of vitamine E in it, and also 1000% biotin to help with hair loss which happens when I lose weight

Do you guys have any other suggestions?

Thanks!
-S

[insearchofme]

Have you tried do strength training. It is really good for toning up. I also love pilates. I don't know about the supplements.

[thin4good]

Oh yes, I'm a big fan of weight training and do it all the time but that's the muscle under the skin not the skin itself. It does improve the overall look in smoothing out the appearance, but for instance I have a big tummy when I lose weight in my tummy ther's no way it will ever go back to flat but I'd rather it not look like a deflated balloon. I'm pretty sure I'll need a tummy tuck. I resisted doing it the last time I lost weight, but I think not doing it actually made it easier for me to gain the weight back. Because your body will always replace the amount of fat cells you had in your body around the age of 20. Unfortunately for those of us that were heavy in our early adulthood it means we have more then the average person when it comes to fat cells.

So our struggle is worse than those that are thin as we age because we have to work on not filling up all those empty fat cells waiting to store our baggage for us. The only thing that will stop the regrowth of fat cells it to remove them from your body, ie, liposuction, but I had so much extra skin last time I hit 170 that I'm positive I'll need a tummy tuck.

[insearchofme]

Gotcha! I thought you were concerned about getting rid of extra skin. I am hoping that my tummy goes back to normal. This being my fourth go-round after my last baby, I kinda afraid I may need a tummy tuck too.

[mar14jmm]

Hi,

I just started phentermine/Alli combination 2 wks ago and I have lost 15 pounds by my second week weigh in. I am also concerned about my skin I will take your advice and start using the Nivea lotion. I think you look great, this is so hard and I needs lots of motivation that is why I go to this forum every day. Good luck!!!

[Nikki finn]

lol, i wish it were that simple!!!! I think you see better effects at the gym than you do from a little lotion bottle.

I have been working on my arms at the gym for two weeks and the the dang skin has already started pulling taught!!! I cant pull it as much as i was and its not hanging like it was before. I use regular vaseline coco butter lotion just cause it feels like it actually sinks in.

But in reality....if they had a pill or supplement for that kinda stuff.... dont we think we woulda killed off half the plastic surgeons by now?

[graphicMOM]

Nikki, you're funny!! I'm also a real believer in exfoliating like crazy. I scrub my whole body every night and sometimes I try to apply the lotion before my skin is dry. That helps, but Nikki is right about hitting it hard in the gym. There was a nurse on here awhile back who had a really good scientific explaination of how the skin is pulled closer to your body as the muscles underneath are worked. I'm sorry I don't have the right words to really put it into perspective, but if I find something on it I'll post it. Just keep up with the lotion and the workouts and that will help about as much as is possible. BUT... as soon as my husband is out of Pharmacy school... I'm probably going to want a tummy tuck, too.

[angelchar77]

Think of our skin as a rubber band. If you keep stretching the rubber band eventually it will be streched out. Skin is a crazy phenom. Ok maybe its not a phenom. But the reality is with a LOT of weight loss you cant just go to the gym and your skin will magically tighten up. Its streched out and for the most part will stay that way.

Interesting link

http://www.philkaplan.com/thefitness...redundancy.htm

[graphicMOM]

I don't think that it could ever be like it was before the weight, but it can improve somewhat if you work at it. Your skin is an organ that you can work to help it repair itself. It's better to try and see a little results than to say that it's a hopeless situation. Jillian Michaels suggests waiting a year after losing the weight and if you're still not happy with your skin then you can look into surgery. It will improve with time, but it will never be perfect.

[angelchar77]

Improve yes. Water helps keep the skins elacticity. Excersize will help as well. Gradual weight loss. I didnt mean to sound grim but every story I have heard and read about a person loosing a lot of weight fast has this side effect. So thats the facts that I am going by.

[insearchofme]

Originally Posted by graphicMOM

I don't think that it could ever be like it was before the weight, but it can improve somewhat if you work at it. Your skin is an organ that you can work to help it repair itself. It's better to try and see a little results than to say that it's a hopeless situation. Jillian Michaels suggests waiting a year after losing the weight and if you're still not happy with your skin then you can look into surgery. It will improve with time, but it will never be perfect.

I totally agree GraphicMom. I gained 100lbs with my first baby and you could never look at my stomach and tell the I once looked like a beached whale. Unless stomachs are some strange exception, I say keep pumping that iron.

[Flygirl223]

ANY OF YOU EVER TRY FATGIRLSLIM ? A FRIEND OF A FRIEND HAS BEEN USING IT FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND SEES A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE. SHE TAKES PICS EVERY WEEK AND MY FRIEND SAW THEM AND SAID THE CELLULITE IS REALLY DISAPPEARING ... I BOUGHT IT OFF AMAZON . JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE HERE HAS HEARD / TRIED IT .