Flabby Belly After Teen Weight Loss - How to Tighten Up?

asked 2 years ago by Si in England
Latest answer by Robert L. Kraft, MD
Question viewed 926 times
Tags: age 25-34, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, weight loss, flab, loose skin, tightening

Hi, I am male, 25, 5'6" and I weight approx 8.5 stone (119 lbs). I was overweight as a child and lost it all in my mid teens, becoming borderline anorexic. I now have very skinny arms, collarbones, shoulders etc, but my belly remains very flabby despite situps and the skin sags and rolls when I bend or sit. I also have stretch marks on my lower abdomen. Please can someone tell me whether this is loose skin or fat and if I could get it looking tight and toned? Cheers.

5 answers to Flabby Belly After Teen Weight Loss - How to Tighten Up?

Skin laxity after weight loss

A substantial weight loss can result in loose skn. An abdominoplasty could correct such s condition, which would not be improved by exercise.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Candidate?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Congratulations on your weight loss! I think you would likely benefit from the tummy tuck procedure. A word of caution may be in order... In my opinion, For patients with your history, liposuction or mini tummy tuck surgery are operations that produce very limited results and are very rarely indicated. The mini tummy tuck procedure involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Do I need body contouring after weight loss?

If you lost significant weight, then it is possible that your skin has lost elasticity and will not tighten with excercise. Your photos suggest this. It would be worth discussing body contouring/skin reduction procedures witha surgeon by you.

Neal Goldberg, MD
Westchester Plastic Surgeon

Loose skin in abdomen following weight loss

The situation you describe is usually related to the skin having been stretched when you put the weight on and failing to recoil when you have lost the weight. It is the same mechanism that causes the excess lower abdominal skin in women who have been pregnant. The problem is the loose skin, not fat. It is difficult to make the skin look tight and toned, because it may have lost its elasticity. You should avoid smoking and too much sun damage to the skin as... more

Jonathan J Staiano, MBBS
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss and skin

Your scenario is quite common for many patients who have lost a considerable amount of weight. Pt with weight loss tend to lose elasticity of the skin and also commonly have excess skin. A tummy tuck is often needed to reduce this extra skin and provide for a tighter abdomen.

Delio Ortegon, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

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