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Is There a Chance Your Skin Can Shrink Back After a Weight Loss of 100lbs or More?

asked 7 months ago by meadowbear8 in Champaign, IL
Latest answer by Todd C. Case, MD
Question viewed 142 times
Tags: elasticity

I am 5ft 3in tall. Just had lap band put in place on Aug 19. My max weight was 320lbs (In June) and I am at 286ish now. I have been overweight most of my adult life but not considered morbidly obese until the birth of my now 4 year old daughter. I would like to be a healthier weight, between 140 and 160 to me, seems reasonable, is there a chance my skin will shrink to fit my body or is it likely that I will need surgery to get rid of loose sagging skin?

8 answers to Is There a Chance Your Skin Can Shrink Back After a Weight Loss of 100lbs or More?

+1

Skin laxity after lap band

Depending on the character or quality of your skin it is possible that it will contract enough tht you won't need surgery. However, it is more likely that you will need surgery to remove the loose skin and fatty tissue that doesn't shrink back. Your skin may be like a rubber band that is over stretched and then it rebounds back, but not all the way.
Todd C. Case, MD

Tucson Plastic Surgeon
+1

Body Lift After Massive Weight Loss

Not every person that loses 100 lbs or more choices to have some type of plastic surgery to deal with the skin excess . It is totally your choice. If you wait a year after your weight loss has stabilized you will know how much skin shrinkage will happen for you. The body lift or other post weight loss plastic surgery helps to complete the process you began with your new life style. Your transformation will be more complete when the excess skin is removed.
Mary Lee Peters, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.maryleepetersmd.com

+1

Skin shrinkage after massive weight loss

Although you will have some skin shrinkage with weight loss, you certainly will still have some excess skin if you are able to lose 160-180 pounds. The most common areas where patients have excess skin removed are the abdomen, breasts, upper arms and thighs. Don't let this discourage you from continuing to lose weight. You already have a great start and you have set a very reasonable goal for yourself. You are significantly improving your health and the more you lose, the better... more
James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin Shrinkage after 100 Pound Weight Loss?

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your successful lap band surgery and your commitment to weight loss and healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, given that you will end up losing over half of your weight (at least 150 pounds), it is most likely that you will have “loose sagging skin”. Also unfortunately this excess skin does tend to be a reminder of the previous history of obesity even when you reached your goal weights. There are... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin Elasticity Varies Widely, But ....

There is a wide variation in skin elasticity among different individuals. However, it would indeed be remarkable for anyone to lose 100 pounds and not have a good bit of excess skin. I also think that there is usually less excess skin in individuals who have lost weight with diet/exercise than someone who has lost a comparable amount of weight with lap band, etc. (probably due to rate of loss).
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin shrinkage after massive weight loss

When somebody is morbidly obese, the skin stretches tremendously. Many people will have stretch marks, indicating that the elasticity of the skin is gone. When the weight is lost, skin with no elasticity will generally not shrink. Though I will not say it is impossible, I would be very surprised if it did. Therefore, you will most likely need surgery to remove the excess skin and recontour your body after losing 100 pounds.
Bruce Genter, MD

Abington Plastic Surgeon

www.drgenter.com

+1

Skin shrinkage after weight loss

Three factors can determine the amount of skin shrinkage after significant weight loss. The first is how much weight gain and loss is at issue. Next is the length of time you have been overweight. Over weight your whole adult lift is not good for your odds. Last is genetic elasticity of the skin. Two out of three would give you more hope. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Body contouring after weight loss; lap banding and weight loss; body contouring after lap banding

This is a very good question. In my experience, unfortunately, I have not seen patients be able to have their skin shrink and contour properly after the weight loss that you are talking about. Contour surgery will be necessary, and this may have to be performed for several anatomic areas, such as torso, abdomen, breasts, arms, thighs, back etc. Perhaps facial areas may be spared at this younger age, but this may have to considered as well. The good news is... more
Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

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