Maintainers who lost significant weight--two questions about appearance

1) Originally, I lost weight and started exercising seriously in order to lower my blood pressure, lower my cholesterol, and to lose some belly fat.  I accomplished the first 2, and maybe the 3rd, since my waist has clearly shrunk; however, the loose skin across my belly button makes my stomach look almost as big, when I am sitting down, as it did before I lost any weight.  Question:  In time, have you found out or do you think that some of my loose skin will shrink back to tighten up around my stomach, when I am sitting down? (It's not obvious when I am standing.)

2) Before I lost around 45 pounds, my face, particularly my cheeks, were reasonably "full."  Although most people who have not seen me for awhile say I look "good," meaning that I lost weight I needed to lose, several also say that my face looks a bit gaunt or my cheeks look somewhat sunken-in.  Question: Do you think this is normal and will a gaunt face just be a permanent trade-off for my having gone from 215 down to 170?

I lost 140 pounds.  I have some loose skin, and yep, it's most obvious when I'm sitting or worse, leaning over and letting gravity do its work.  I've read that sometimes other folks have noticed that their loose skin did tighten up some, but probably it depends on age, skin elasticity, and other factors out of your control.  I guess I'm just glad it's not any worse, and besides I think everybody's stomach kind of pooches out some when they sit down unless they're skeletal.

Your face probably doesn't actually look gaunt, they're just not used to how you look yet.

meganr:  Thanks for the encouagement.

By the way, congratulations on losing 140 pounds.  You are really an incredible person to do that!  Best of luck in maintaining and best of luck to you and yours in all things.

That's a great question. I'm 20 and have had two children back to back. May 2007,and July 2008. The heaviest baby was 10 lbs 11oz. I'm currently standing at 5'0", and weigh 214. I'm REALLY scared that I'll have a flabby stomach after losing weight. I know I'll have the mommy pouch, but I can't stand having a loose tummy all around. That and having bat wings. I've always had large arms, and don't want to have to have surgery to tighten them up. That leaves some ugly lines up and down your arm. I hope I don't sag all over after weight loss.

lilipadster:  Congratulations on being a 2-time mommie!  Wow!  10 lbs 11oz!  

Well, maybe things will tighten up for both of us if we give it time?  I hope so.

Again, congratulations.

It's definitely not easy being a two time mommy, but I manage. Thanks! And as for tightening up, I wish you the best! I think the best way to do it, is to not lose too much weight too fast, and give your body time to shrink. At least that's what I've heard. I hope I shrink! Lol! Two kids did my body no justice! At least my little girls will have a chance to be healthy once mommy starts becoming more of a healthy person! Moms are girl's biggest role models, right?

1) I lost 55 pounds, reached my first (biggest) goal last December.  I still have the hanging skin on my belly. 

2)I have the gaunt face and when I reached my last and final weight goal (5'5 1/2", 130lbs) people complained that I lost too much and noticed my face. 

I don't have answers except to repeat the others and say that a lot of this is due to genetics.  It helps to lotion up and stay hydrated. 

mrsdagle:  Congratulations on your weight loss!  I think you chose a very healthy weight to maintain.  Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I guess if we had to balance being overweight and more at risk for health problems as opposed to loose skin and a gaunt face, we would choose the latter.  Maybe I can do facial exercises where I blow bubbles chewing bubble gum.  LOL!

1) I have lost 42 pounds since the first week of March, and I have definitely noticed loose skin in my stomach area, but not in my arms even though they were definitely large to start with. I do a lot of weight training and yoga on top of all the cardio, so that definition makes a difference because it tones your entire body. I've been used cocoa butter on my skin as well, every day. It definitely makes a difference - it keeps your skin hydrated and has petroleum jelly in it (depending on which branch). Drinking a lot of water helps as well. I've been focussing more on weight training since I started noticing sagging, and there's definitely been some improvement.

2) Most people have noticed how thin my face looks as well, and I think it's really mostly because a) we probably don't retain as much water as before, which tends to show in the face b) people usually look at your face much more than to do any other part of your body, so they're definitely gonna notice the change there more than elsewhere. And really, I don't think it's because you look gaunt, but probably more that your face has more definition now, and that's now what they're used to.

emilie_f:  Thanks for your reply.  It is very logical.  I didn't mind the belly skin as much as the gaunt face, since when I am standing my stomach looks fairly tight, and I don't go sitting around with shirt off any way.  But it sort of bothered me when a few people hinted I didn't look healthy, at least in the face.  But you make some excellent points.

The face will be ok in time, however in men the gut is quite an issue. After losing the weight, in many cases, there's like a ring around the lower abdomen that goes away very very slowly, the age is also a factor. It's a little bit of fat and a lot of excess skin that sags down there, only time or plastic surgery can take care of it.

I definitely have the ring (rings).  Well, age is age, I guess.  Plastic surgery--no.  And do I have enough time?  LOL

I've lost 175lbs and yes I have loose skin. I have been maintaining my weight loss for 2 years now, and the skin elasticity has come back a little bit. I have a decent amount of skin, but it did snap back some. Patience on that, especially if it's not a ton of skin.

And as for the face? You can't help where you lose weight. Maybe it just looks sunken in to you. My face looks really thin to me, but people that have never met me prior to my weight loss don't view it as odd.

:)

175!!!!!!!!! My goodness!  That is wonderful.  And it is equally wonderful that you have maintained for 2 years!  Thanks for the words of encouragement.

hey, i lost about 90 pounds over the past two years. Forget about the loose skin, focus on your more positive aspects, like your personality smile skin!!

Sometimes its easy to get bogged down with appearances and become very superficial (i did) but ive begun to accept my flaws. everyone has hang ups even gisele im sure!! if you are really desperate id imagine a tummy tuck would tighten up the skin as exercise tones the muscle not the skin. skin may shrink slightly id imagine. mine did a little bit but not much.

as for your gaunt appearance, generally that is due to losing weight continuously and maybe a lack of nutrients. My face used to be quite gaunt but now that im maintaining it looks healthier and fuller even though I weigh the same. think its probably just proper nourishment. hope this helps.

Thanks for the encouraging words.  I do think people who are/were overweight and have/had fuller faces are generally happier looking, even if they are not as healthy.

Congratulations on your weight loss!