I get emails with training and diet questions all the time. I also get this question (or version of it a lot)
<<<Q: I used to be a size 18 and now am a size 2. I eat clean, weight train and do cardio, but I still have this loose skin. How can I tighten my belly?? (or I have loose skin after pregnancy)>>>
these stretch marks will not go away, but her skin most likely will still tighten more
There are many factors
*age
*amount of weight lost
*how long you were overweight
*how fast you gained the weight
*how fast you lost the weight
……….and a lot of genetics.
Some people gain and lose a ton of weight and have hardly any issues while others are covered in stretch marks and are trying to fix that sagging skin.
You can cry about it or just learn what you can do and accept what you can’t.
There are tips for preventing stretch marks; like cocoa butter and moisturizing, but honestly, if you’re bodies’ genetics are likely to get stretchmarks, no amount of cocoa butter is going to stop that. At this point, the damage is done. So….what is my answer for what you can do?
Assuming you already eat clean, lift-weights and “do what you’re supposed to”…. you may not like the answer.
Preparation-H does not work.
Saran Wrap does not work.
Crunches, reverse crunches, planks or any abdominal exercise you can think of will not work.
There are a few lasers (usually very painful, expensive, and not largely effective) that are available that MAY have some effect on small areas or small amounts of skin “wrinkling”
this picture is more likely a candidate for a tummy tuck ** always consult a board certified plastic surgeon and get more than one opinion**
The only true thing that can actually get RID of loose skin is a tummy tuck.
They actually CUT. IT. OFF.
Even this only works if you have a significant amount of skin…. annnnnnnnd $8-$10k and about 3 months to recover.
Sooooo– the BEST thing you can do is: love yourself, don’t stress over it (its probably worse in your head) and think of it as a symbol of your hard work or your souvenir of your beautiful child or your hard work on losing the weight.
Surgery is a personal choice but realize that if you aren’t ok inside, it’s not going to fix everything. That being said, if you worked hard, there’s no reason you should be held back because of some loose skin.
Whatever you choose, be ok with that.
I would never judge and I’d be in line for a tummy-tuck if I worked my ass off to lose a bunch of weight and it was really bothering me.
We don’t all look/stay young forever.
Just be strong, be healthy, be beautiful.
and sorry I wish I had some better tips… but I am here to tell you the truth, not what you want to hear. Please Leave your comments!
you are MORE than some silly scars :)
Comments
comments
Ohhhh, if only more people would be honest. Thank you.
thank you so much. We have so many clients and friends that have spent thousands of dollars on lotions, lasers, wraps and creams. Its time people just get real
This entire forum is crap. There are different things that help DIFFERENT PEOPLE in DIFFERENT WAYS. Think of every celebrity that has a baby and comes out with a perfect body. It may not be easy, or cheap, but definitely possible!
I’m not sure I ever said it wasn’t possible
The article never said it wasn’t possible, it was just for once stating the cold hard facts. And have you ever seen a celebrity in person after they just had a baby? If not, then you need to stop hating. Pictures of celebrities are all kinds of air-brushed and touched up. So go on with your hating self, you don’t have to be here reading it. And save me the first amendment stuff. I’m sick of hearing that.
That is due to genetics. Stretch marks are genetic. If your mom has them, you’ll have them.
There are exercises that will help u tighten and tone but it will take time and dedication. I was 100lbs before my two daughters and after I had them I was 145. I went down to 125 the day after having them and worked my butt off and got rid of almost all my lose skin and im sure it will go away because im 100% dedicated even majority of my stretch markswent away from over hydrating my skin wiyh lotions and scrubbing hard while taking warm baths. It is possible don’t lose faith in yourself. You dont need expensive things to get rid of it
What kind of lotion r u using
Thanks for your honesty, ladies!!! After losing 120 lbs and keeping it off since ’08, I know ‘loose skin’ and stretch marks all too well. Its definitely not my favorite thing about my new body, but it reminds me daily how far I’ve come…and that I don’t want to go back. I’m not opposed to surgery, but can’t afford it right now. So until the day I can I’m going to continue eating clean, lifting weights and embracing my body just the way it is!
Surgery isn’t a light or cheap decision. I’ve always felt though, that if you can love and accept yourself before surgery than you will always be better off. People who look to surgery to fix how they feel about themselves are always still dissatisfied. You should be very proud of your accomplishments!
Thailand surgery is affordable & professional
They have more experience than most & cost half the aus price including the holiday 
I run miles everyday and found discomfort from the skin on my abdomen. I chose the surgery not because I don’t love myself but because I worked hard and deserved it. Each person has their own story and reasons. A tummy tuck is not a walk in the park but I am almost a month out and feel human again.
HEY LADIES! I also have suffered from this exact same issue, stretch marks and loose skin! I have found an amazing product that works, and isn’t very expensive! I have amazing before and after photos along with a few other mommy friends!!! If you want more info send me and e mail or go to my website! There is a 30 money back gaurentee so there really is nothing to loose!!!
Sincerly,
Cassitee
http://Www.mynucerity.com/cassitee
Dryyyyyy
hey there, well first off im the first one of those questions, size 18 mow and wanna loose the fat and get fit and lean etc. come from a fitness background, was a personal trainer and dancer and fit all my life, then had my wee boy and gained a little baby weight but went back to normal after having him with no stretch marks, then within 4 weeks of having him and having to stay in hospital with him as he was 11 weeks prem, i went from a size 10 to a size 16 (yep in 4 weeks) all these are u sizes, due to bad eating habits and stress….. and no training. in the october of the following year went on a crash diet… lipotrim… and lost all the weight and went back to a size 6 uk and not a stretch mark in site … lucky me
and then stress, bad diet, the wrong decision to have gone on the lipotrim and a whole lot of other reasons and i was back up to a size 16…… no exercise no good eating habits and 2 years later im an 18….. i have not got stretch marks…. i am not happy about that but i knew at some point my good genetics and luck would not carry me through the cycle of loose gain loose gain any more and i was right. i am only now starting to eat healthy and train and know that i will get back to where i want to be body wise (as right now i hate when i see in the mirror) but i also know that those stretch marks, though they will fade, are there to stay….. my only hope is that the dreaded loose skin does not hit me too bad… or at all if im lucky lol 
good luck! just remember to try and change your habits, so you aren’t continually yo-yoing for the rest of your life. You are a good example of someone who can gain with little “repurcussion” but eventually, somethings gotta give.
Take care of yourself and thanks for sharing!
I have to say its truely great to finally have a honest answer, I have asked so many people about this an have gotten tons of answers an followed them all, i do belive you are right, only surgery will get the extra off. Thanks again for your honesty. Keep up the great work!
Great message ladies!! I wish I knew what to say when clients ask me this!!
send them here!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I have lost 151 pounds, and I stress and worry about this extra skin every day. I know there is no way to get rid of it, and surgery is not an option for me. Time for me to start loving myself!
YES!! you are amazing and high five on your weight loss! not everyone can afford nor WANT to have surgery. Stand by your choice and stop beating yourself up!
I love you for this
I have a diastasis and some loose skin. It is not extreme but it is there and it bothers me.
I have the money for surgery. I don’t want surgery. So now i am focused on loving myself! What a relief to let this go!
Hey ladies! This was so fantanstic, I’ve been having the same argument with my 50 year old mother. She lost over 100lbs two years ago, and has been upset over the “tummy” she can’t get rid of. Its the skin, and a result of the muscles knitting back together funny after a surgery. But trying to tell her that has been HARD.
The only thing I can suggest for stretch marks – is BioOil. I had horrendous stretch marks on my thighs and chest – they actually bled. But I used to use bio oil on them and after a few months they started to seem like the color was fading. Not the mark itself but the color.
But seriously, thank you for the honestly. We can’t all look like Gilian Michaels – but we can sure as hell enjoy being healthy while we get there.
with or without the oil, stretchmarks fade over time. They start as red and then fade to a white or silvery color.
Your mom should be happy the weight is gone but sometimes its hard to face the leftover “stuff” we didn’t expect
I definitely have some loose skin on my belly resulting from my two little ones, and I get frustrated by it sometimes, but then I realize, those two little girls are WORTH a little extra skin!!!
absolutely!
I too had this same problem. Didn’t lose as much weight, but down to a size 4. Everything tightened up, BUT the belly. I had upper abs and they could be seen, but once I bent over, holy hell. I lovingly named it my “plank pooch”…as you can certainly imagine why. I gave myself another year to work at it. Eat right, exercise, do all you’re supposed to do…to no avail. I came to the point, ok either I learn to accept it or do, ya know, the tuck. It has been one year since I made the very difficult decision (it’s emotional, should I do it, should I not, am I being selfish, ungrateful, etc etc) to have the tummy tuck and all I can say is I don’t know why I waited. No more tucking in my skin, no more letting it dangle when in plank. I’m happy. The decision isn’t for everyone and it can completely consume you while in the process, but for me, it was the right decision. I love my flat new belly!
we hear this a lot, that it was a good decision. Thanks for your comment and story!
After having two kids I had a lot of loose skin. before I had my kids I was a size zero, with each of my children I gained 45 lbs. After each of my kids which one is 18 and the other is 3 I always went back down to a size zero. After my son the loose skin and stretch marks were not that bad but after my daughter it was really bad. So I decided to get a tummy tuck, I only needed a mini tummy tuck which is not as painful but it still hurt. It did take about 3 months to recover and the scar is pretty big but wearing a bathing suit (bikini) you can not see it. I work out a lot and now I can actually see the results in my stomach, I can see my muscles, which before I could not because of all the loose skin.
I was not unhappy with myself before, it was just frustrating because I know I worked so hard for something and could not see the results. I saw it everywhere else but my tummy. I could feel them but could not see them. But just because you get a tummy tuck does not mean your tummy will look good, you still have to work for it. The tummy tuck was a very painful procedure, probably more than I expected but Was it worth it for me, I say yes!!!
we are glad you had a good experience!
You ladies are awesome. Battling with self image and how people perceive me and this was just what I needed to hear!
I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair in January. I have 2 kids, 13 and 6, both born by section. I tried for 2 years to make my belly flat. My belly was hard and ripped but I still looked 4 months pregnant at 12% bodyfat (I also compete in amateur figure competitions and a poofy belly is frustrating). The surgery was expensive and recovery hasn’t been easy but I have to say I would do it again in a heart beat. Since my muscles have been repaired I don’t have as many digestive problems and my core will be stronger for it. I know it’s not for everyone but I am definitely an advocate.
thanks for sharing your story. Its good to hear all sides!
Forgot to say that I applaud you for being honest with your readers. Sometimes outside of surgery, there must isn’t anything you can do. Great article.
thank you and thanks for reading
I’ve been pretty lucky my skin held up after 4 pregnancies, but I’m still very careful about showing my belly in public. The little extra skin at the bottom tortures me. Thanks for being honest! xo
Yes, some ladies have 3+ kids with minimal issues, some have ONE baby and stomach is just stretched to bits.. I guess you can thank your mamma;) but there’s no reason to hate yourself over it… hate when women feel bad about themselves over something that just happens! Thanks for commenting! XOXO
So true. My first child, it was ok. I had a c birth, but my stomach would have been flat if I kept crunching my way lol. As I got older, I gained a lot of weight due to birth control hormones. I ended up 175 (I’m 5 feet even). That made my stomach stretch a tiny bit. I lost 40 lbs fairly, wasn’t too fast, but I could see I was gonna,have a small bit of loose skin, not a flap. Then I get pregnant, and the weight came on pretty fast, I didn’t do anything to speed it up! I’ve read that after the first pregnancy, the next ones speed up on its,own.
Continuation! Anyway, this second pregnancy got me up to 190. From 135 to 190! He was a big baby. He actually came out a month early fully developed. He stretched or something and broke my water and out he came. 7 1/2 lbs. Had he been born on his due date he would have been nearly 10lbs. Every time he moved, I thought my stomach was going to rip open like in the Alien movies. When he came out, and I looked in the mirror, I knew… I was going to have that apron. I’m poor, so I can’t afford a tummy tuck. I am currently 180, and am on the fence about losing weight. I can’t figure out which is the lesser evil: staying fat so the flap is kind of filled, or losing weight and getting the apron flat and hanging? Any suggestions?
sister… that is something you have to decide. If you “stay fat” how does that affect your health? I always go for healthy
Hi guys
I have 6 kids aged between 3 and 21. I have lost almost all the weight gained from pregnancy. I have got loose skin on my belly, but considering the fact that I have had 6 kids already, it is a minor problem for me as it is not as bad as one would expect it to be after having so many kids. I am really glad I have come across this site. You guys have helped me realise that I am not the only one with this belly problem. Thank you for your help. Keep up the good work.
thanks Yvonne! Its amazing what our bodies can withstand! Love your attitude about it and glad you found us!
I am a 37 year old mother of 3 kids my oldest only 5. I have always had a huge chest and couldn’t wait to have a reduction. Finally when my son turned 2 I decided I was going to do it. After 3 kids in less than 3 years my belly was stretched and I was never happy with it. I decided to get a tummy tuck too. I had it 8 days ago and maybe my opinion will change down the road but right now I have never regretted something in my life so much!! I have 3 beautiful children that I cannot hold and I am in constant pain! The numbness of my stomach is indescribable! I want to crawl out of my body and die:( I am not a vain person and can’t believe I did this! If I can give anyone advice love yourself for who you are! You don’t need plastic surgery to look beautiful! Sucks that I’m wishing the next 6 months of my life away just to feel normal:( praying this gets easier because I cannot stand the way I feel:) I’m sure you look beautiful.. Don’t change a thing!
Thanks for sharing this Lisa. It will get better!
I will be 44 in June and I have 6 kids ages 23 yrs to 1 yr ( have had 2-9 lb plus, 2-8 lb plus, and 2-7 lb plus babies). In 2003, when my 5th (and I thought my last) child turned a yr old I opted to have a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. I was a size 2 but my “girls” had completely deflated from weight gain and breast feeding (they went east and west if a visual helps lol) and the skin below my belly button just flapped in the wind like a sad little wind sock. I was extrememly pleased with my end results and never regretted the tummy tuck at all. I continued working out after about 3 months and was very satisfied. THEN…………fast forward to 2010, 2 months after I turned 42, I thought I was in menopause (haha I still laugh when I think abt that) but NO, I was pregnant with #6!!!!!! To make a long story a little shorter) my pregnancy had no effect on my surgeries. (my point being that my stomach remained flat following a 25 lb weight gain from my pregnancy) Many people mistakenly think that a tummy tuck makes you lose weight but it does not. A good surgeon will tell you to lose any extra weight you want before the surgery for best results. It will help you lose inches though. My surgeon and all the ones I researched said tummy tucks are ideal for mommies who have lost all the baby weight and are looking to tighten back up because basically the surgery involves sewing the muscles back together that have separated during pregnancy and removing the excess skin. I hope this helps someone else come to grips with the decision to have it done. Its a personal decision and like everything else there will be haters and opinionated people but do what YOU feel is right for you and enjoy the results you get!!!
thank you for sharing this.. .I always thought, if you got pregnant after tummy tuck it would be a disaster… so glad to hear you and baby were ok and thanks for sharing your experience, it def is a personal choice and I think other people reading this will be able to take something away from it. Thanks for sharing!
Why? It’s kind of like a c birth. And women continue to get pregnant after that tummy surgery
Hmmm… I say, just measure, mark, grab your scimitar and cut it off, then sew it all yourself. Take some pain killers beforehand, obviously.
YOu ladies are so smart for writing this!!! I am assuming you dont have kids and before I had kids I felt you could prevent it! But for you both to know and realize it already…is so amazing! Now what are you thoughts on stretch marks alone not loose skin??
You know, as long as I look good in my clothes I don’t really care about a little loose skin.
I would also like to add to the “book” I wrote (sorry I’m long winded ;)), my tummy tuck greatly improved my stretch marks. I had my worst ones above my belly button and after the procedure they are now below where my bikini hits. And the scar is very thin and has faded alot overtime. I have a few slight marks on my booty, but no one sees those except my husband…and I don’t think he’s really looking at them. 😉 I had my surgery purely for my own personal reasons. I believe if you look good then you will feel good too. As far as the medication goes, I took ibuprophen for the first 2 weeks and then I was fine, Its all in your own personal pain threshhold. I know it’s hard not to be judgemental of women who choose to have the surgery but (as with most hurdles, obstacles, or anything else that may hold us back from being the best we can be), you never know how you personally will handle those events until you are faced with them yourself. I hope this helps someone who may be on the fence about whether or not to have the surgery, this is just one persons opinion and personal experience.
thank you for sharing your experience Kayla!
Let me tell you….I have struggled with this for over a decade. My loose skin was the result of my first pregnancy. I work out like a beast and eat the way I should. I had to come to terms with the fact that if I wanted it gone I was going to have to pay to have it removed. But, it turns out, it just wasn’t that important in the grand scheme of things. I got divorced from my first husband when my daughter was 8, and let me tell you…It was scary the first time I disrobed in front of another man. What was he going to think? Yeah, they didn’t care. Like, not at all. I was the only person that ever made an issue of it. The only thing they didn’t like about my body was the negative comments I would make about it. It’s still hard not to look in the mirror and get a little down about my tummy, after 12 years, but I’ve learned that (at least for me) the most important thing is how I FEEL physically, not necessarily the way I look. Plus, my new husband isn’t complaining. 😉
Thanks ladies!!
I hate hate hate your site design. Did I mention I dislike your site design? On an iPad, many of us are these days…your silly JavaScript social media sidebar (an unnecessary, and unwelcome feature I might add) obscures the screen in landscape mode. With no option to close it, it follows you like a stalker who is friends with the judge…no restraining order is possible! The only way to make the content viewable (ha!!) is to turn the device portrait and zoom all the way out. I used to do that when I first got my iPad…to see how small it would display text. Your call, but with mobile being the rising market that it is, just thought you might like to know you are likely to alienate us all!
-Bill
PS – Despite the design….loved the article. The wife believes in most of the “cures”, and it was nice to see a place that isn’t trying to sell something, and is straight about saying it just doesn’t work.
Hey Bill–
at first I couldn’t tell if this was spam comment or not, but I think its real.
if you click on the “share” bottom part, that little thing goes away, but I agree, its annoying, we’ll see if our web gal can change it.
Thanks for the tips!
I just met a young man the other day who went through a “skin-reduction” surgery thanks to major weight loss.
One of my blogger friends interviewed him about his weight loss here – http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/amazing-real-life-weight-loss-story/
The interview was conducted only days after his surgery and while he isn’t ready to work out right now, I don’t think he is going to be waiting 3 months before getting back into the gym
hey guys, I myself have struggled with a weight issure along with stetch marks and as i started to lose weight i was very worried about extra skin, before i even got to the point that i had any extra skin i started doing some research. I found a product called It Works! body wraps. I thought it was a scam at first but it was only 25$ a wrap so i gave it a shot (thats way cheaper then a tummy tuck). After my first wrap i was hooked. I used 3 since then and i couldnt be happier with my results. I started selling the product not to long ago to try and spread the word and help out people that are in the same posistion as me. The body wrap is not like most you see on tv or in salons, you do not lose water weight it actually detoxes you and the natural botanicals tone, tighten, and firm your skin, you can feel it working. If you would like more information or to see before and after photos (mine included) go to my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LeslieDoesBodyWraps
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have and i really hope this post helps some of you who would really like to get rid of that extra skin but a tummy tuck is just not in the cards.
I love your suggestions…u are really truthful to everyone…i was also tensed about my stretch marks etc…but now u have taught to love myself…..thanks.
Great Information! I’m working on that now, I do have stretch marks that have faded, but I am minorly worried about loose skin if I loose weight too fast. but you said it right there, love youself yo. Thanks Sweaty Betties!!
post partum abdominal binder + tuppler method exercises! SOme places recommend binder for 6 weeks, but it isn’t enough! I wear mine until all my weight is lost and it really helps. I wore it 24/7 for the first six to eight weeks, then only sporadically at night until I start really losing weight (6 mos post-partum for me with both my boys). Once I start losing in earnest, the binder is back on every night until I’ve hit my pre-baby weight. I also moisturize my abdomen as much as possible- cocoa butter or coconut oil. I am six mos pp with my 2nd, and my stomach is looking pretty decent for having had 2 c-sections.
I have different sized binders- the ones i got in the hospital for immediate post partum and then the brooke burke one for when i slim down a bit. I wear them tightly- they are not terribly comfortable or visually appealing, but they get the job done. I also do a lot of lower ab work
I fricking love your guts for this answer. It. Is. Spot. On.
Nice to see honest answers to a problem so many of us have. I am 2 days post tummy tuck and I couldn’t be happier. A “friend” tried to talk me in to take a series of supplements that would get rid of my stretch marks…for only 500 bucks. They seemed insulted that I didnt want the quick fix…..sigh. I pu alo of thought into my decision, along with researching doctors and savinG my pennies…now I have to give myself the time to recover bEcause I CAN”T WAIT TO GET BACK TO THE GYM
good for you!! if it came down to it, I would get a tummy tuck, I’ve had a few friends do it and are very happy with it
I agree that loose skin sucks big time…I lost 120 lbs three years ago and have kept it off. I also have the stretch marks on top of the loose skin from three pregnancies. I did go as far as having a consultation for a tummy tuck but, after a lot of thinking I decided against it. I would have been doing it under the pressure to look a certain way. I know if I keep exercising and eating well I will always look great:)
I am in the process of losing darn near 200lbs. YEAH…I am one of the BIG girls, soon to be not so big girl! I have a feeling that in order for me to really be able to achieve the healthy results that I want, when I get down to goal and hold it for at least 6 months, the surgery option may be what I will have to do in order to actually fit into clothing and properly exercise. At the start of 2013, I begin my little savings plan to help pay for it. I, like I am sure most people, wish there was an easier option, but alas, I waited this long to do something about it, it is going to take some hard work and uncomfortableness to undo it all.
its ok! Whatever gets it done! I would totally choose surgery if that was the last to go and I had worked so hard to get it off. Just save that money girl and keep working hard!! BUT make sure you are happy on the INSIDE because even with the skin gone, it doesn’t fix things that are wrong on the inside.. you are still beautiful!
Thank you girls for posting this! being a mom of 2 beautiful girls – Stella (2 1/2 years old ) and Lyla (1 year old) is an amazing journey. in the past year i have lost 60 lbs and am now only 5lbs from my goal weight. with this weight lose came the loose skin, squishy belly fat and nasty stretch marks that you have refered to. honestly my stomach feels like jello when you touch it! but i have learned to love my body. i am now a WOMEN-i am no longer the 110lb 20 year old that was always freezing in 80 degree weather! i have CURVES! the best advice i can give-look past the mirror-learn to love who you are on the inside not what you look like on the outside.do 1 thing for yourself daily,paint your toes,work out,pluck your eyebrows,read a chapter in a book. simple things like this helped me put life into perspective. Always remember this-yes you may have a few stretch marks,but YOU ARE A TIGERESS WHO HAS EARNED UR STRIPES!
I am so glad that you showed this picture, it makes seeing it more of a reality. You worked hard to get where you are, love you! I think that it is awesome that you have something to show for your accomplishment not like those who have surgery and then pretend to have lost it naturally.
Keep the good, honest, and inspirational messages about wellness and fitness coming!
I have the answer! No tummy tucks needed just It Works body wraps! The all natural wrap helps to break up the fat cells which help to tighten, tone and firm! And they work wonders on stretch marks and scars. Find me on fb to check out pictures and more info! They really work, I know I was skeptical too but they work!
A tiger has to earn her stripes. You are sexy moms now. Its okay to progress in life. I like seeing stretch marks on women its hot. Love big butts and thicker thighs too. Moms at shopping malls bent over distracted by kids showing a little more than they might like is my fav part of shopping. Dont hide it find a real man that can enjoy you for who and what you are.
The fact is that I feel like I blind sided myself on this topic. I just started losing and have a long way to go. But I never thought about this before until I started following journey pages on Facebook. So, my options are stay filled out, belly full of fat, or keep losing. Yeah, that is what I thought! I am 52, not much chance of me showing up in a bikini at the beach even if I were to lose it all and have surgery. Thanks for listening as I work my way thru an issue I won’t even have for a couple of years. Just trying to stay ahead of things!! Lol
you have to realize the health implications of having excess body fat are much worse than having the excess skin. A lot of the contestants on Biggest Loser wear spanx or other slimming under garments. The key is to really just care for yourself and regardless of the skin, love the body you’re in
how to decrease my hip
Love your remarks. The most important thing is to love yourself. I to am a personal trainer/ state worker; I have a 21 year old and a 14 year old. As soon as I can Im getting the tummy tuck because I love me.:)
you go girl! research a great surgeon and I totally suggest seeing 3 before making a decision 😉 good luck!
Im a 17 year old male used to weigh 106 kg now im 89 and there all over my hips and stomach it looks awfull but i guess its fair in a way. Just the price you pay for neglecting your body
i am 69 years old and have a lot of extra skin and i would like to get a tummy tuck because under my belly is always sweating and it irritates my skin but i cannot afford it. i don’t mind the extra skin but it gets sweaty, it gets itchy and the irritation bothers me. i am scare that it might get worst. i try everyday to clean and put powder so it won’t bother me so much. do you think my insurance will cover the surgery?
its possible insurance will cover it if you can show that you’re getting infections and sores from the skin. I have heard of it being covered if its for non-cosmetic purposes. You’ll probably still have a deductible though
I’m 23 years old and have a 4 year old I have the worst stretch mark and loose skin on my stomach and when I lost weight my boobs were the first to go so now from a double d to a small saggy B just really stinks I’m single but in the dating world and it’s just embarrassing looking like this with my wrinkly stomach and saggy chest. I’m the thinest I have ever been but just wish I could have the confiedence to back it up.
aw I am so sorry.. I had a baby when I was 16 years old and I felt very self-conscious about my body.. but realize that most men really do not notice or care. Take small steps to make yourself feel good– do your nails and hair etc.
I know it can be hard, but I guarantee it is much worse in your mind
Hi my name is amber what id you have lose skin and you have not worked out how you should or eat healthier do you think if i do it might go away buy toning up.
I always recommend eating healthier and exercise, but loose skin def depends on a lot of factors– how over weight you were, how are your genetics, etc.
It may or may not tone up, but by feeling your best it will not bother you as much if it doesn’t totally go away
I have 10 year old stretch marks and extra skin due to one pregnancy. I’m just now getting serious about stomach crunches because I’m now single and would be very self conscious about my stomach’s appearance if/when I meet someone new. Any suggestions?
Amber… most guys don’t notice or care much. My advice would be to start just taking really good care of yourself– eating better, exercising and just being confident about your body.
Stretch marks are not the end all be all of a relationship and any man who will judge you for them is not the kind you need to be with.
I’ve used ab ripper and it does help tone your mommy pouch. A must try.
I have 5 beautiful children and a husband who loves me just the way I am…I am the one who is self conscious about the flap of skin on my stomach. I have never come across a blog/website with your honesty. I was always looking for the next “best” thing to get rid of my problem area. I realize now that how I feel is way more important than this body that is breaking down and wasting away. I will eat well and workout and now feel good about what I accomplish…not what it looks like! Thank you so much for ending my search for the miracle cure that ends with me realizing that I have a good thing and am very blessed!!!!
Oh my goodness, I’m in a very similar position and wish I had found this post several years ago! I have 5 children, a military husband who loves me and reminds me always how beautiful I am and only over the last couple years have I come to terms with the loose belly skin. I work out and eat healthy, stay active playing sports and have tried everything. Everything!!! That loose skin will just never go away.I went to a doctor after having my twins (my oldest 2 who are 15 now) and he explained the weight gain and stretching of the skin happened rapidly and there would be no getting rid of it without surgery. It used to bother me early on, and eventually, like the original poster, I just learned to accept that this is me, those are my mom battle scars and feel no shame about it. It isn’t easy with all the images of what beautiful is and with all the celebrities showing their own flawless post-baby bodies, but it truly is about changing on the inside, becoming stronger and more confident about yourself. Be proud of all you accomplish, remember we are human and respect that we should all be valued and loved for our individuality and beauty comes from within.
<3
After four kids and working out forever I still had loose skin. Five months ago I had a tummy tick, very painfull and difficult procedure….still not fully recovered but my stomach looks great, except for the scar which will fade after time.
Thanks you Steph I am doing this now and I was a littel discouraged from the pain post, I hear determination and you can transform your body, I have a friend that has done it.. So excercise and eating healthy and lotions and scrubbing does work!
I lost 120 pounds 10 years ago. I always had flabby full of cellulite skin ( mostly on legs) it was bad when i lost it but now 10 years later it’s SO much less visible! I wear bikinis with confidence now. All i did is give it time ( more than 5 years ), ate well and most important exercised and lifted weight. Everybody that says sergery is the only solution are wrong or not patient enought. Everybody is a different case. Thr girl on your pic still has fat on her belly and if she would exercise and give it time, it would become like me , almost not visible ( just the very low part of the belly that is easy to hide) strech marks i agree, they can change color but will always be there.
Ooo-kay.. I have had 3 C-sections but my belly “flap” (a.k.a. the “Mother’s Apron”) is from my first pregnancy. I had preeclampsia and it caused me to rapidly swell up the last 2 months of my pregnancy. During my C-section surgery, the doctor didn’t “tuck” my belly correctly and, as if the skin flap isn’t bad enough, it left my belly kind of lop-sided. I lost almost 100 lbs, hoping that losing weight and toning up would pull my belly in a little bit. I was pretty confident in regular clothes, but NOT in a bikini or even a one piece bathing suit.
I understand the reasoning and idea behind the “Love Yourself” theory, but I just don’t see that as always being realistic. Maybe it’s just me, but I still feel almost like I was mutilated from that experience.
Am I the only one who feels this way?
Thank you for this… I’m 25 with 2 little ones under 2, 50 lbs down and I hate my stomach. I know a tummy tuck is the only way to get rid of it. I can’t afford it right now, nor am I sure I ever will be able to. I’m working on loving myself and being proud of my accomplishments 😀
EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT! IF YOU WORK OUT HARD ENOUGH AND QUICKLY AFTER THE BABY IS BORN YOU CAN MAKE YOUR STOMACH APPEAR FIRMER. THE SKIN MAY BE LOOSE BUT WONT LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE A BUTT ON YOUR BELLY LOL. MY FRIEND DID IT. MY SKIN IS LOOSE AND ITS DEPRESSING BUT OH WELL I CANT CHANGE IT BUT I SURE DO WORK OUT TO MAKE IT LOOK THE BEST IT CAN LOOK.
Well, i will like your advise on my own story too. I was pregnant with four babies but lost the very first i’m with 3 kids now, due to to the weight of the babies. I had a very wide and flabby tummy, what can i do? My husband sometime tells me that he wont mind a tummy tuck for my body to be good, we are Nigerian and i’m so scared thou i’m not comfortable with the way my tummy is. Pls help me!
Love this! I have had 2 c-sections, our oldest son and then identical twin boys! 21&1/2 months apart! First pregnancy, I soaked in every lotion & oil possible, still got stretch marks. I gained 56 lbs and he weighed 8 lbs 6.5 oz. with the twins , I gained 80, they weighed 6 lb 3.5 oz and 6 lb 3.0 oz! When I sat down, my belly was on my knees! They are now 15 months old and I’ve lost 85 lbs. still working on my belly, but I keep telling myself it takes time, I’ve had 3 babies in 2 years! But over all I’m happy with how my body looks, just have to work harder on my lower belly and tone all over a little more! Loosing weight isn’t easy but worth every second!
Now, my friend started crying after reading the post. He was actually working so hard from last 6-7 months. Now, he is so broken!!
Anyways, thank you.. At least after reading the same, people won’t buy so called “magic pills”
I am considered “morbidly obese” and have started a diet and workout routine with a trainer. It’s going great and the weight is falling off faster than I thought it would, but I am dreading the loose skin I know I will have. I know I will need a tummy tuck and the excess skin on my upper arms removed. It’s very depressing. I have trouble finding a man now because of my weight. Now I’m afraid I will have trouble keeping a man once I lose the weight because he will either a) be grossed out by all the loose skin or b) be turned off by the scars if I get the skin removed. I hate that I will never be able to wear a bikini like a “normal” woman. I am trying not to think about it and get discouraged, but it’s difficult not to.
For the ladies who loved their tummy tuck… How are your scars? I’ve seen pictures and it doesn’t look any better than a poochy belly. Honestly it looks down right gross! Frankensteins bride almost. After 7 babies I’m not happy with my pooch but I feel better chubby so the pooch is filled in instead of hanging. I’ve read lots of great results from skin brushing. My skin has definitely perked up doing that. Alfalfa is a good supplement for tighter skin too. In the end I guess it depends on what ‘scars’ you’re more comfy with… Having my belly button relocated after cutting skin off doesn’t sound appealing in the least.
I used dermelastic serum in the past for my breast augmentation surgery scar in my bellybutton and it worked great. I just ordered again for my boyfriend’s gall bladder surgery scars and it has been a month since the surgery and you can barely see any of the scars. This stuff works wonders!
I hate the way I look I had twins and always wanted to be skinny. I always hoped there was a way to loose my extra skin. Now I feel depressed.