loose skin after rapid weight loss

[smellslikemiddleagedspirit]

due to the anguish of a horrible relationship breakdown, I lost loads of weight very quickly because, for the first time in my life, I completely lost my appetite (rather than reach for the green and blacks). I now have lots of loose skin on my boobies and tummy. Is there anything i can do??? I'm early 40s. I drink lots of water. Don't smoke, eat well. Am trying to exercise. Any advice?

I think Mama Mio products + hyaluronic acid. But I cannot vouch for these (yet).

Thanks Mae. I'll look for product reviews.

There was a thread a while back. Will find it.

Surgery - that's it. No amount of products will help.

Dont mean to be harsh -just realistic

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1671495-Firming-body-lotion-that-can-tackle-stretch-marks-and-saggy-tummy

thanks, Mae.

hmc ? omg! really? I think I'll try all the products... I'd rather shrivel up than go under the knife.

I lost loads of weight five years ago, not that rapidly, over a year, and I still have loads of loose skin around thighs, tummy and boobs. Exercise helps, but nothing works completely. Absolutely nothing but surgery works on boobs. Would still rather be thin than fat though, and in my experience, most men don't really care.

I'm afraid so - once the elastin has gone that's it. I have a little loose skin on my abdomen and buttocks from weight loss. It's not too bad at all but would rather it was not there

Thanks Quinn. Won't hyaluronic acid and mama mio products such as boob boot camp (just been looking) tighten up loose skin a bit on the boobs? Even if not completely? Or am I about to waste 60 quid?

hmc, why does elastin go? Doesn't your body keep making it? or less as you get older?

When I am more sober (I.e. tomorrow) I will post you some links but honestly - your skin won't recover from this (well perhaps marginally over time) - unfortunately

Bollox!!!!! Hope you remember to post links tomorrow, but enjoy the booze. After this depressing news, I think I'll reach for a G&T.

Spirit,

Sounds like you've had a rotten time. I do sympathise. There may be some areas that can be improved by exercise (buttock, tummy) but I cannot see how £60 in the bust area will help. Tightening the pec muscles won't help out there. Putting on topical creams will feel nice and make skin smooth and soft but there's damn little they can realistically do to firm/tighten skin. Think about it - if the creams were that effective, they would be covered in huge health warnings not to put near eyelids or mouth, for example. Imagine the effect of unintended firming/tightening?

When you think about it like that, it's more obvious that any creme you buy over the counter is really a placebo.

However, all is not lost. There might be something else that can help. Thermage or Pelleve Radio Frequency treatment works by heating the skin gently and it stimulates collegen production and that definitely tightens skin. I've had it done under my chin* after I lost weight and it worked really well, I'm very pleased with the effect. Extremely good result and it doesn't hurt and it's non-invasive.

The catch is: (a) you'd need to get it done every 12 to 18 months to keep up the effect and (b) it would be expensive for an area like the tummy, chest, etc. But it would definitely work. Much nicer than putting up with it, just a case of cost vs benefit.

• I also had the same treatment on jowls and whilst it was OK, it wasn't anywhere near as effective as on the chin.

The positive thing is that now you've lost the weight, in an less than ideal way, now you're starting to exercise, you'll be able to tone and firm up beautifully with targetted exercise. You'll be stronger and even though you'll still be slim, you'll be more shapely and therefore the skin (tightened or not) will be over a smoother, firmer base, as it were. So that's positive.

Finally - yes, sadly, the body produces less elastin, less collagen and less of lots of other handy things as time goes by. Irritatingly, apparently men keep elasticity and collagen levels for far longer than women, leading to the annoying situation where men of 45, for example, who do NOTHING with their skin looking firmer and more youthful than women of the same age who are very careful with their skin. Grrrrr. At least there are products that can help us, but no magic bullet alas.

I don't think I need to post links now after Claudia's useful summary

Hey, Claudia,

Thanks for your helpful, encouraging post, as well as your kind words. I'll look into Thermage or Pelleve Radio Frequency treatment. I've had a very cursory look and, so far, I've seen it recommended for face and neck areas, but no mention of boobs.

I can see I'm going to have to take this one on the chin... . Like every woman that ever came before me that ever got to my age! I'm in good company.

I think it's just pure luck and genetics. I lost 8 stone pre kids and tits, arms and arse fine. Got my tummy tucked and my thighs were like two tesco carriers stuck to a fence in a high wind. No potion on earth will remove excess skin.