Fat or extra skin?

How can I tell the difference between extra skin from weight loss or fat that still needs to go? I lost 100 lbs, I am 5'3" and 134, I think I still need to lose about 20 lbs. My stomach is kind of saggy and my thighs are very saggy. I am working on toning and losing fat because I am hoping it is still fat that needs to go and not extra skin, because that is harder to deal with.

Anyways, am I fighting a lost cause here? Anyone have any experience with major body overhauls and successfully toned up their bodies considerably? I am ashamed to wear a bathing suit because of my thighs. Thanks!

Thu. Jan 10, 11:04am

You should be able to tell if it's loose skin or being a little flabby, ie, being able to pull your skin away from your muscle-- sounds grotey but true. Pinch the skin on the top of your hand- that's how the skin would move away on your thighs if it were just skin that were the problem.
It may very well be that, too! Go you on the 100 lbs, that could definitely affect skin elasticity!
But also remember that losing lots of weight can also have resulted in some muscle loss, so try heavier strength training and see if that doesn't improve things for you. :)
If you can afford it, try having a consult with a plastic surgeon! They will tell you if any skin needs to be cut away to make you firmer. Make sure you do your research though and get a good feel for their reputation and bedside manner before going through with it.
Again, congratulations on the wonderful progress!
Good luck!

Thursday, January 10, 2008, 12:35 PM

I just wanted to say congrats! You are amazing to lose so much weight and honestly inspirational...I feel bad about complaining about my extra 28lbs.Sorry I have no advice to give But You ROCK!! Good Luck!

Thursday, January 10, 2008, 12:51 PM

If you want a visual...not sure how easy it is to find, but some of the contestants on The Biggest Loser let you see it. The one that stands out is Seth from season 2, in the grand finale, when the presenter makes him lift up his shirt to show off his rock-hard abs. The above poster describes it pretty well - it's crepe-y, like the back of an old lady's hand. It may hang, it may not. I've still got a third of my excess 100 lbs to take off, and while I've got the saggy stomach "apron", I can see the crepiness on the sides of my belly - it may not be attractive, but it's a sign of how far I've come.

Just keep in mind that the "flabbiness" you've got at the moment is a sign of improvement, not failure. It's just deflation.

Thursday, January 10, 2008, 1:15 PM

The only thing I have to go by is when you watch those weight loss programs or the learning chanel. Oh or extreme makeover. They have people who have like 17 pounds of extra skin to remove. So I thought that would be about what I might have until I heard one person had 30 pounds of excess skin. Now granted she was very overweight but so am I . So anyway my point is, it may well be excess skin. I would just continue to do what you can to build muscle and in time it should become apparent if it is fat or skin.
Congratulations by the way. What an amazing accomplishment.

Thursday, January 10, 2008, 1:40 PM

Way to go, OP! You have done something so great for yourself!

I have a question-Does the extra skin thing happen because the weight loss is so quick, or would it happen with slow weight-loss, too? Also, who is more prone to having excess skin? Is age a big factor? Anyone have any idea?

Thursday, January 10, 2008, 3:24 PM

I don't think age is much of a factor. I too lost over 100 pounds approximately 10 years ago. Took me about a year and half and I've kept most off since then but am back on this site to lose the last 25 (thought I looked great and I did but as I got older I realized I could lose more) anyway, now down 17 pounds, about 7 or 8 to go!
Back to topic... I was 28 when I started that 10 years ago and I still have skin. It has gotten worse especially in my thighs. when I was wearing shorts one day my daughter pointed out that I have "wrinkles" on my inner thigh area. How embarrasing. Now there is still some flab there on the inside as well and am working to tone but I may be fighting a losing battle. My stomach... aaack, that's gone to hell. On top of being over 100 pounds overweight I've had three kids and don't remember what a normal stomach looks like! I know it looks now what I lovingly (not!) refer to as my "wrinkle puppy stomach" know what I mean?
Anyway, I would think of 28 as being pretty young and yes I had skin but I see a lot more of it now 10 years later and it doesn't look pretty. Almost thinking about being fat again. LOL! Nope, worked way too hard and hell, at least I look good with my clothes on! :0)
ps- yes I weight train and have for the last 10 years fairly consecutively

Thursday, January 10, 2008, 3:44 PM

Yuck!!
Get it cut off!!!

Friday, January 11, 2008, 11:38 AM

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