How can I avoid as much loose skin as possible while losing 100-120 pounds?

Hello, Thanks for sharing your query. Loose skin is a problem of rapid weight loss. The amount of laxity can vary from patient to patient depending on gender, genetics and skin type.There are a few things you can do to minimize this, Lose weight gradually use plenty of moisturizers and oils for massage. Use some skin tightening creams which help maintain skin integrity. Consult a plastic surgeon after your weight loss to assess skin laxity.

Hi Asalu82, Congratulations on beginning your weight loss journey.  The simple answer to your question of how to minimize the amount of excess skin that develops after massive weight loss is "nothing".  Nothing can be done to maximize your skin contractility and minimize the amount of hanging skin.  There is no garments, supplements, vitamins, or creams that can minimize the amount of hanging skin.  Considering the amount of weight you plan to lose, I would imagine you need  at minimum, a tummy tuck. Usually, a 360 circumferential lower body lift can be performed in one procedure. During the second procedure and final procedure, the arm lift and breast lift can be performed. After you have lost the weight, you weight should be stable for three months before you consider reconstructive plastic surgery.  Please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgery who specializes in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss. There are several plastic surgeons who specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss.  If you need to travel out of state to find such an expert, please do so.    If you have any more questions after you have lost the weight, please contact my office.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.  

I appreciate your question.There's no way to prevent the excess skin that develops after losing weight. However, once the excess tissue is known and stable (your weight goal stable for 6 months) then consider a body lift surgery or an extended tummy tuck. Best wishes, Dr. ALDO 

Skin laxity after massive weight loss is a difficult problem. Most patients who have undergone massive weight loss, tell me they feel physically better, but are dissatisfied with the loss of volume and loose skin. The amount of laxity can vary from patient to patient depending on gender, genetics and skin type, all things that we have no control over. I don't know of any prophylactic measures to prevent skin laxity after massive weight loss.

Skin laxity occurs when skin is stretched, and as we age we lose collagen and elasticity which causes us to have sagging/loose skin with weight loss. There's not much you can do to avoid this, however, you can use skin firming creams to assist in the strengthening of the skin while losing weight. We love Body Therapy by PCA Skincare. 

Unfortunately, the laxity of the skin is more a function of how much the skin was stretched out over time moreso than how quickly or slowly you lose the weight.  Additionally, some people's skin has more collagen and elasticity than others, so the total amount of weight lost does not always correlate to the laxity of the skin after weight loss.  The same concept applies with pregnancy, where some women will get stretch marks diffusely and laxity while others will end up with no stretch marks at all.  The good news is that since you are already considering surgery for your breasts, it is possible, though can be financially challenging, to combine several procedures at that same time in order to avoid several surgeries and subsequent recovery and time off work.  After you have finished your weight loss or have gotten very close, a consultation with one or more plastic surgeons who have extensive experience with body contouring after weight loss will give you a much clearer picture of which procedures should/can be combined in coordination with your goals.  Best of luck!

Dear Isalu82,there is not much that you can do to reduce the skin laxity and the amount of loose skin once you lose weight. If you are considering a surgery, then you should reach your goal body weight in order to achieve the best possible result. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately there is nothing specific that you can do to prevent excess skin. Every single person is different & many people can lose large amounts of weight & end up with relatively good skin whilst others may lose a smaller amount & have a worse problem. Congratulations on starting your weight loss journey & make this your focus for the next year or so. Once you have stabilised then you can reassess what may or may not need to be done. All the very best with your journey. 

as you anticipate, comes gobs and gobs and skin.  Just focus on your weight loss and realize that you will have the excess skin removed down the road once you have achieved a stable weight.  Good luck!

I do not know of any ways to minimize skin laxity. But I would recommend you focus on the weight loss, and the benefits to your health, not on the skin laxity. The decrease of stress on your heart and your longevity. Good luck with the weight loss.