Loose Skin Treatments

Expect Sagging Skin With Age & After Weight Loss

Considerable weight loss is, at most times, recommended for people who are overweight or obese, but this process can in fact leave behind loose skin. The condition of the skin will depend on the method of weight loss (which can determine how quickly one looses weight), the amount of weight loss, and the skin's elasticity. Also, doctors, nutritionists, and dieticians recommend that people keep a close eye on the condition of their skin for at least two years after weight loss. If loose skin remains after two years, other than regaining the weight, surgery may be the only alternative to make it go away.

These days, more and more people are losing large amounts of weight fast with the aid of weight loss surgeries. When people lose 50 - 100 pounds in a rather short period of time, it's more unlikely that skin will be able to shrink along with body mass. In contrast, when people lose a reasonable amount of weight (less than 50 pounds) over the course of months, the skin has a better chance of keeping up. In these cases, the skin doesn't have as far to shrink, and loose areas can often be tautened up through exercise — possibly by building muscles.

Along with the rate and amount of weight loss, skin's elasticity must also be considered. Elasticity is the degree to which skin is able to stretch and then return to normal once the need to stretch is removed — as in the case of weight gain and loss. The more fat that stays beneath the skin and the longer it remains, the less compliant the skin becomes. For this reason, skin is less likely to shrink in cases of excessive and rapid weight loss because elasticity is lessened. In cases where skin is enduringly stretched, people who have lost a lot of weight may be left with excess skin.

People often look to surgery to get rid of loose skin. The actual surgeries are called body lifts, and they center on the areas where there is especially loose skin. Lifts are frequently done around the abdomen, thighs, breasts, and arms. Insurance companies rarely consider these operations to be medically warranted unless they're needed to clean up an infection resulting from the process of weight loss surgery. This means patients usually have to shoulder the bill.

Although it's becoming more and more common for people to turn to surgical interventions to help in dire weight loss, it's still important to try firmly to make behavioral changes in working towards or keeping a healthier weight. This will definitely promote your health and well-being, no matter what your weight is and no matter what your skin looks like.