Stretch-marks and saggy skin?

No clue if this is the right forum (maybe the lounge would be better?), but I was wondering...

As I've lost weight (even a small amount), the few stretchmarks I have are starting to look WAY worse.

Instead of flesh-toned shiny lines, they are now wrinkly and textured and you can feel them when running your hand over them (you never could before, and with the lights off, my skin felt perfect).

Also, my tummy is MORE jiggly from the loose skin, and maybe I'm paranoid but my breasts seem to be hanging lower.

"Toning" may keep my arms and legs tight, but how do you repair loose stomach-skin and stretchmarks? I'm only 23, dealing with loss of skin-elasticity should not be my concern. It makes me scared to lose more weight sometimes. :(

Any tips or lotions that have worked? Currently I use cocoa butter with very unhelpful results.

Any excersizes to perk up my chest (without making it bulkier or larger)?

I'm sure you've all had these issues too, right? Help a girl out... :P

well how much weight have you lost? if its a great deal you are going to def. have some sag but if its only say 25- 30 lbs it should bounce back.

My boobies are gone. They are like two, sad, deflated balloons :(

I know how you feel. I am also 23 and have stretch marks and boobs that look like the belong on .... no me.

I have decided to look at my stretch marks as battle scars from the weight loss journey and be proud of them.

like Kat Williams said, "Either you were big and you got small, or you were small and you got big." very true.

The first thing that happened to me was my tummy started to sag.  The good news is that if you don't lose weight too fast, the skin is very elastic and will tighten up quite a bit in time.  And the closer you get to goal, the less fat that skin will have under it, and the better it will look.  Get a good moisturiser for your tummy, and that will help it stay healthy, encourage elasticity, and even help those stretch marks a little.  Stretch marks never totally go away, but as your skin tightens up they may get less noticable again.

Thanks all.

I've lost maybe 10-20 pounds over the course of last year and I'm planning on dropping another 20ish. So like 40 total.

If stretch marks NEVER go away, then I can never wear a bikini again? Even if I reach my goal of 100lbs? How depressing.

Will laser treatments help at all? They sometimes makes scars better (but only if they're discolored I think).

I'll try to find a better (yet still cheap hopefully) moisturizer for my tummy.

Stretch marks are tough, but I CAN tell you that weight lifting, the kind to build muscle, meaning heavier weights and fewer reps, can really help with saggy skin. Building up the underlying support structure can really make you look so much better

While I am currently working to get back to my goal weight, when I have been thinner,my weight lifting has been the best thing for my boobs and butt.

of course you can wear a bikini with stretch marks!  even the most fit, muscular people have stretch marks. 

Ah, I have it all cellulite near my bum, stretchmarks (from the past of growing and then from weight loss.), and boob sag from the weight loss, weight gain and weight loss again. Which sucks, since I am only 22. I wish I could afford a breast lift and maybe minor implants, but with having no job I know that isn't possible so I'm stuck with the way God intended me to be.

I know they say chest presses are supposed to help your chest area or perk them up a bit, but I don't know how true that is considering they say the body does what it wants to. So..you could try it, but I don't know if you're going to see results or not.

Laser treatment for stretchmarks would probably help a lot, if you have the money then go for it. Out of creams I would suggest Mederma. It's quite expensive for a little tube, but it works. You may end up using about 3 tubes of it though before you see any real results. As for the wrinkly texture I don't think that will ever go away, but the color will fade with the cream.

As far as wearing a bikini...Hell yes! Millions of women have stretch marks and they still strut themselves ever summer. Why should you be any different? You should be able to show off yourself with your new weight loss! Be proud. I don't think anyone is going to be looking for stretch marks. :P If anything you could always buy the fake tanner (be careful of the ones that make you look like an Ooompa Lumpa though. Ha Ha. :P) That should hide them a bit or maybe a bit of water proof foundation. (Does that exist? :P) Well some types of light make up on the areas should work as well as they blend well. And if those aren't options then hell with it! Show yourself off and be proud. Stretchmarks especially for women are just a way of life and I can guarantee you will not be the only woman with them. Hello! I have them too. Ha Ha.

Be proud girl. You should be. ;)

Original Post by jessicasbc:

of course you can wear a bikini with stretch marks!  even the most fit, muscular people have stretch marks. 

 Based on your replies (here and in other threads), you sure do seem to be very self-confident and put-together. Personally, I think I would have a panic-attack if I tried that (and those never end well). :P

Maybe one day I can be more like you.

Original Post by yummy_kitty:

Original Post by jessicasbc:

of course you can wear a bikini with stretch marks!  even the most fit, muscular people have stretch marks. 

 Based on your replies (here and in other threads), you sure do seem to be very self-confident and put-together. Personally, I think I would have a panic-attack if I tried that (and those never end well). :P

Maybe one day I can be more like you.

 LOL me too! But, honestly, if you saw what I have seen at the beach near Coney Island and Brighton Beach, you would not ever be concerned with what you look like in a bikini! Wow, have I seen some self confident women out there!

Original Post by gabriellemimi:

 have seen at the beach near Coney Island and Brighton Beach, you would not ever be concerned with what you look like in a bikini! Wow, have I seen some self confident women out there!

 Maybe it's different here in Orange County.

Most of the women I see at the beach are typical OC girls. Thin, tan, and with nothing to be insecure about.

A few older women or pre-pubescent girls will go in a swimsuit regardless of weight/ stretchmarks, but very few. And they get disgusted looks.

This a really superficial community.

Original Post by gabriellemimi:

 LOL me too! But, honestly, if you saw what I have seen at the beach near Coney Island and Brighton Beach, you would not ever be concerned with what you look like in a bikini! Wow, have I seen some self confident women out there!

 That's why I say I doubt people will be looking at stretch marks. Heh.

I've never been very confident even when I was very thin I always wore a one piece and even that was torture for me...much less a Bikini..But damn it! I'm wearing one this year! (My guy got me a cute Skeleton one before I gained all the weight and I intend on wearing it!) Ha Ha.

A skeleton one? That sounds totally cute!

I used to have a pretty flattering bikini (the kind with "short-shorts" bottoms and halter top).

Since puberty I can't wear most one-pieces (they don't support my bust, just flatten it downward). So if I ever want to swim in public again, I *have* to wear a bikini/halter top.

Although I have been known to just swim in pants and a sweatshirt (told you I was insecure) when my P.E. class made swimming mandatory.

im actually not super confident or anything, but absolute perfection is not necessary.   i have bad panic attacks too sometimes, but like the other people have said, nobody will even notice your stretch marks.  its funny because you think that im super confident which I dont know how true that is, and from your posts here and on other threads, I think you are probably a whole lot more beautfiul than you actually realize. 

Ha!

I'll refrain from posting photos and let you go right on thinking that.  ;P

I'd like to offer you a search for "the Doctors" it is a program that has doctors on it and they discuss different issue that people write in about and are special guest appearances.  They discussed stretch marks about 3 or 4 days ago. They did mention laser but it was suggested that you go to a dermatologist and get it diagnosed there are some prescription strength lotions that can be put on.

Personally I use Cetaphil one of my friends here on CC: suggested it because it was recommended by her doctor. You can get it over the counter at a drug store. I have loss 49 pounds and have the sagging skin and the deep indentions, but I have noticed the marks becoming closer together. Whether it is the cream or just the fact that I am loosing at a slow pace and also exercising might be factors. 

I truly believe there is some hope. You might find it through a doctor though.  Try that search. I will tag this post and see if I can get the show on Monday and get their website if you don't find it.

In 2 years I gained about 30 pounds.  It then took me the last year to lose 40 pounds.  I am now left with stretch marks on my boobs (clear and shinny looking) and stomach (pink).  My boobs are also a bit lower and a different shape; a lot flatter then they were a few years ago when I weighed this much.  Last summer, after losing 20 pounds relatively fast, the skin on my stomach was sort of lose, but after time and doing a lot stomach crunches it is now firm, tight and toned.

Good luck!!

Weight training helps I understand. I was thinking self tanners or spray tan would cover stretch marks and blend the lightness of them making them less noticeable. Just an idea. Tan skin seems to hide more. I am very pale.

yep...being pale sucks.  I have found that it makes me look bigger and droopier :(  But what's a girl to do? self tanners are stinky, and the real kind gives you skin cancer...(guess I'll be stinky, huh?).  I too have found that any weight loss success I have is soon made less pleasurable by my stupid mirror...sagginess definitely gets worse.  I have found that when I have lost weight by exercising the sag is less serious...too bad moms have such a hard time making room in life for exercise!!!  If anyone out there discovers anything miraculous for pale saggy girls, pleasepleaseplease share the secret!

Ugh, I am sooo pale, I know exactly what you guys mean.

I like being pale, but it shows everything (zits, stretchmarks, freckles, bruises), and it's not a slimming color to be.

And yeah, it makes it much less exciting to look in the mirror. *sigh*

I'm going to start weight training sorts of things with my legs/butt area. Hopefully that helps that part at least. Thanks again everyone