Loose skin on stomach - any tips?

[moonfacebaby]

So, I'm 41, had DD2 almost 2 years ago. I'm the slimmest I've probably ever been - size 6/8 & in no way is this a stealth boast, I struggle to put weight on. This wasn't always the case & I'm usually a size 10/12.

Standing up my tummy looks fine & I have pretty good stomach muscles (always been a mystery as I'm sporadic with regular exercise). However, when I lean forward, my skin crinkles & puckers around my belly button - this makes me a bit self-conscious when having sex....

I try to be thankful for what I've got - 2 gorgeous girls & my body has done an amazing thing. I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to tighten this skin? I didn't have this after DD1, so I'm sure my skin has been stretched too much & my age may mean it's elasticity is not as it once was.

The skin on my boobs can be a little crinkly too - my boobs were much bigger before & get massive when I'm pregnant!

Would putting weight on improve this? Fill me out a bit more? Can exercise tighten this skin at all?

Suspect that there's nothing that can be done!

[mercury7]

Moon, I'm not sure if there's really much you can do to tighten the skin, probably this happens with most of us a bit when we lean forwards?

[moonfacebaby]

Thank you.

It didn't happen before I had DD2 - it's more wrinkly & obviously stretched.

Research on the Internet seems to say you're either stuck with it or you need to build more muscle.

I'm not overly concerned - just curious if anyone else has been able to remedy this. It looks a bit yuk but at the end of the day, I think it's a relatively minor thing...

[mercury7]

firming up the underlying muscle might improve things..worth a try?

[snowlie]

Build muscle underneath is not really going to help tighten loose skin, think surgery is the only option if it bothers you - losing weight makes it worse unfortunately.

[HRHLadyG]

Its more worrying that you are unable to gain/stabilise weight, maybe see your G.P to check thyroid function.

[mrsravelstein]

i'm a similar age and size to you, have 3dc, youngest is 3. my stomach skin is exactly like you describe - i tried getting stomach muscles very toned up but then the skin just hung there and looked even worse. am now experimenting with putting a bit of weight on, about 6lbs or so has made a big difference and filled out the loose skin... but then means i have flab in other places i don't want it like love handles and much bigger boobs. i think surgery is the only answer but then you'd have a massive scar hip to hip for a tummy tuck which also presumably doesn't look that nice?

[mrsravelstein]

definitely think it's an age thing though, as i had dc1 at 28 and my stomach skin pinged back into shape with no trouble at all, all the damage was done by dc2&3 at 35 and 37...