I'm going to have it.

I'm scared of it.

What if I look just as bad after all the weightloss work as I do now? I don't want ever to endure another surgery (two eye surgeries was two too many!)

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You aren't alone. I'll probably have it too. And the thought of surgery freaks me out (I've had a c section and surgery on my hand and requested a local for both so I could stay awake!) But we can't worry about it on the way down, take it one day at a time and face it when we near goal. analog06 had a post on self massage to help with loose skin - it was an excellent post. Anyone know where it is or can you point us in the right direction to finding it?

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Attitude changes everything!
Have a beautiful day! ~ lady hawke
402/366/147

lady hawke, thanks for your post. I read it earlier today, and have been thinking about it a lot.

One day at a time, one goal at a time, one hurdle at a time, one project at a time... Sometime the most obvious advice hits me like a ton of bricks!! LOL

You're right, of course -- worry about crossing that bridge when I come to it.

I looked at more pictures online -- actually looking at many of them was better than having just looked at a few.

I also had a pleasant scrutiny of myself in my undies in the mirror -- as odd as that may sound! lol But I haven't done that for 3 weeks, and I can already see the difference. And BOY HOWDY (learned from my TX friends!) can I feel a difference in my clothes! I"m trying to decide what outfit to keep of my "huge" clothes -- the rest will be donated away, probably during spring break this March.

Thanks again. LH!

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HI
i am scared to, with over 150 to loose and being 50 tomorrow, I doupt that my skin would shrink back like it should
But these are a few of the things I am doing to help it better along the way.
I hate to have to wear a belt to keep my stomach skin up. lol
Any way
I drink lots of water
I want to look up more on vitiamins for skin,
I use cream daily
Will do weights when I am able
and I am doing Dry Brushing and if it doesnt work, it feels good!!!!!!
http://www.hps-online.com/skin_brushing.htm
ANd I think if you lose weight too fast it doesnt help in the long run,
that is something i dont have to worry about
slow loser here and not on purpose lol
sandi
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/home...y_brushing.htm

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.
.
.
Well now.... that sounds interesting.

Does anyone here actually do it? And how's that work'n for ya?
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Yes, I'm curious also about the dry brushing. It sounds really interesting. What kind of brush do you use? Do you use a loofah? I'd like to begin doing that, it sounds pleasant.

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Ooh! I have that problem, too.

I've heard the dry brushing works very well for other people. I will do what I can, but if I end up having skin removed it's ok. It's better to have skin removed than have what was keeping the skin full in the first place!

Quick weight loss usually = some loose skin, because the body has trouble keeping up.

well I am trying the brushing and the very least, it feels good and wakes me up lol
I dont like surgery, my big hang of being put to sleep, so I wont go there, so I am trying this way.
sandi

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AMEN! I think my hang up is not wanting more surgery.

But yesterday as I did more research, I learned that (depending on the amount of skin you have left over, and how much/little it recedes on its own w/in the first year) there can actually be medical problems with all the skin -- like difficulty keeping the folds from getting infected (where they rub each other) or chronic follicle-itis (I forget the medical term), etc. So a lot of times, insurance companies will cover it for the inner thighs and abdomen, though maybe not for the upper arms.

And I also found that recovery time is longer the more you have done at once, and more painful. OTOH, paying only the once for the surgery, anesthesia, etc., and having to endure it only once is appealing.

So I guess I'm going to wait. They mostly require you to wait a year after losing the weight to see how much, if any, it recedes on its own. So after goal, ladies, figure another year before having to start thinking about the possibility of making a tentative decision (can you tell I'm a BIG thinker before leaping into something like this? )

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I'm the same way, Pam! I've lost weight slowly, but my arms just aren't tightening up. I'll just have that skin removed next year. I'm totally NOT into the whole surgery thing, but I don't want to stay indoors on a windy day, either.

laughing windy day lol
the way my scale is moving I will have plenty of time to decide and think about it lol
sandi

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Also, you have to be realistic about how tight your skin is going to be. Mine shrunk with me (~45lbs lost) but I'm not a swimsuit model now. Nor will I ever be.

I think you'll be able to tell if you've got too much loose skin, when the time comes.

Laura

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Atkins Maintenance (mostly )
High weight: 186
New Goal: 127.5 give or take 2.5

Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution

Pam, Here is a copy of my post from ADBB. The link you were given previously is good too.

Self-Massage for loose skin prevention


I have noticed a few posts on here where people, mostly newcomers to Atkins, are very concerned they may have a lot of loose skin once they have lost their weight.

Skin condition is influenced by a lot of factors including age, genetics, climate etc. But there are things you can do to maximize the elasticity of your skin.

The most effective way to reshape your body and condition your skin is massage. This is the reason those super-expensive cellulite creams work - because you massage the skin. It is the massage that breaks up the fat in the cells, not the 'magic' potion you pay all that money for. There are 2 methods that are easy to do yourself.


Dry brush skin massage.
I used skin brushing when I lost a lot of weight in the 1980s. I used a nail brush (you have to find one that is right for your skin). I used to dry brush before I showered, using a circular motion, very gently on sensitive areas. You can even do your face if you are extra careful. A fine dust will appear on your skin, this is the top layer being rubbed off. It is absolutely ESSENTIAL to moisturise after the shower. You can just use any old cream but you MUST do it. I use cheap Sorbolene from the supermarket and add a couple of drops of fragrant oils - usually lavender as it helps my itches. You skin will look better, and feel fabulous, if you do it regularly - I used to do it twice a week.


Shower massage with a loofah.
Now I use a nylon loofah thingy in the shower (it is made of a knitted nylon stuff in a frilly gathered rosette on a string - I buy it in the supermarket). I get wet, wash hair if necessary, turn the water off, squirt some liquid wash stuff (mine's a non-soap one due to skin itchies) on the loofah, and rub myself all over for 5 mins or so, using that circular motion. I rub really hard, espoecially on areas such as upper arms, stomach and thighs and buttocks, and even do my face (but gently). Then rinse. It feels really nice, and I have hardly any cellulite and only the faintest of stretch marks, even though I'm still classed as obese by any standards. Replace your loofah every couple of months. And once again, moisturising afterwards is very beneficial.

Hope this is helpful to everyone.

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Odille
Terranora, northern NSW, Australia
Fem 53, 170 cms - doing Atkins
SW 131 / CW 103 / GW 64 (kgs)
SW 288.5 / CW 227 / GW 140(lbs)
BP-Nov05 176/96; Dec 05 154/84; Jan 06 122/80; Mar 06 110/76

Thanks, Odille!! I'm going to put a loofah on my list for errands this week, and go to town!!

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Odille,
Thanks for such great information! I put one of those nylon things in my shower yesterday. I need to get a brush for dry brushing, and I will also start moisturizing each day!
Great advice!

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Marge

Very good discussion ladies. I love the support you have, it is wonderful. I know I have some loose skin, but some of it will shrink if I just do the darn exercises. You know it is the tummy and the arms. I am sure not all of it will go away due to my age, which is a very young 57. I know I don't have the same issues with skin as most of you ladies because I did not have to lose the amount of weight you are having to contend with. That brings me to this point: My hat is off to the members of the Centurions forum. You are all awesome, and I am so proud of how hard you are all working. I can not begin to put into words just how proud I am of all of you. Keep up the good work ladies and any gentlemen who may be here as well, and don't forget to love yourselves everyday. You are worth it.

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Hey all,

Thought I'd check in and let you know, I got a loofah and have been using it. Wow, what a treat!! Man, after using that (I've done the dry brushing primarily, will try the in-the-shower one this weekend) and taking a shower and then putting on lotion -- LOOK OUT! Wow, the skin is soooooooooo smooth, it makes you LOVE being a girl! And yeah, I bet guys would enjoy the smooth feeling as well. Plus it's such a CLEAN feeling. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend it!

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Yes, it's very good for the fellows too, tones up anyone's skin. I love the loofah under the shower, it's just so luxurious!

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Odille
Terranora, northern NSW, Australia
Fem 53, 170 cms - doing Atkins
SW 131 / CW 103 / GW 64 (kgs)
SW 288.5 / CW 227 / GW 140(lbs)
BP-Nov05 176/96; Dec 05 154/84; Jan 06 122/80; Mar 06 110/76

are loofahs those meshy round things that you use with body washes?

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Old enough to know better & 100% CRAZY female
Occupation: Pro DJ & Entertainment Co. Owner

Star... a loofah is a sponge....

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~Mary~