Another…what happens to all of that skin,that was once full of fat?
Surgery for some I guess…a friend of mine has lost five stone…what many people don’t realise is…the amount of skin that hangs after such a huge amount of weight loss.
It must be awful,carrying that hanging skin around.
My friend can’t afford surgery,to have the excess skin removed…which probably weighs quite a bit in itself…even her face has been affected by the weight lose…the main thing is though…she feels so much better.
I agree,Carol…but having that type of surgery…comes with risk…and pain after surgery,I believe…
I have watched many a YouTube documentary,on massive weight loss…I was gobsmacked by the amount of excess skin that just hung down.after losing a huge amount…many were so young…they all had their own way of hiding it…
Yes I’ve seen this too and it never goes which doesn’t help the persons self esteem after losing the weight sadly . Of course the answer is surgery but I dont think the NHS would do it so it’s a private OP. Painful too .
I see a lot of overweight young people and I see that sometimes young girls who have had a baby stay quite heavy, maybe its lifestyle . I think there are a lot of overweight people now . Problems for later life .
Edited to add . I met a couple on holiday from Australia and when we chatted they said how surprised they were a the overwight young generation especially young women with babies.
It can take quite a while to go from being a bit overweight to being clinically obese - but not so long for that to become morbidly obese. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the problem could be picked up on and dealt with before it reached that far.
Apart from the obvious risks to health (CVA, CVD etc) a lot of the trouble is in perceptions. Overweight people are often perceived as being jolly, cuddly sort of people - so the incentive to lose the few extra pounds is not there.
However, once a person reaches the obesity spectrum, perceptions can change quite dramatically. They stop being cuddly and become ‘big fat lumps’. It can lead to children being bullied in school, teenagers being ridiculed on facebook etc., to the point of suicide in some case. People lose their self esteem and this can lead them along various unhealthy routes.
Some crash diet - without realizing too rapid a weight loss with little exercise can produce those ugly hanging folds of skin.
Some become reclusive and ‘comfort’ eat - exacerbating the problem.
Some take more extreme measures and become anorexic or bulimic.
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that not all overweight people can help their condition. They may have a slow metabolism, a dysfunctional thyroid, or be on medication that includes steroids.
I know of one person who has reached the ‘clinically obese’ level. Some of this is because she has medical conditions which require her to take steroids. Some of it is due to lack of exercise - she spends all day everyday flopped on a sofa watching films on TV. But some of it is also due to the fact that her partner ‘enables’ her to do this by waiting on her hand and foot.
Obesity is never due to just one simple factor. If Pauline’s friend had been helped before she became obese - the outcome may have been happier for her. I do agree though, having made the effort to lose the weight, the NHS could be a little compassionate and offer surgical intervention now.
It seems so easy these days to put on excess weight, food seems far too tasty and readily available for a fraction of the price it used to be when I was a lad. Chocolate bars and biscuits used to take up one shelf on the wall of the small local confectionary, these days several full length isles of the supermarket are overflowing with choccy bars, crisps and biscuits.
Having always been a runner I have a voracious appetite, especially for potatoes, pasta and bread (all the things necessary to get round a marathon) unfortunately I don’t run marathons any more but the appetite remains. Up to now I have managed to keep my weight stable, but I can’t help wondering what I would look like if I ever stopped running…:shock:
Steroids are indeed a problem Tabby, and I would rather die than take them…I watched my Father in law turn from a very fit ninety year old who walked a mile to the shops every day, deteriorate in a matter of weeks, into being bed bound and finally passing away just weeks after being prescribed them…
In my case I became obese due to emotional eating after my Sister and Mum died. I was in a terrible, dark place for 3 years and completely lost myself in grief.
One day I looked in the mirror and didn’t know the woman looking back at me and something woke up inside me, I like to think waking up to myself was something to do with my sister and mum.
I have now lost a huge amount of weight which has taken me over 2 and half years with good nutrition and exercise. I am left with horrible loose skin on my arms and I am very embarrassed about them but at least I can cover them with sleeves so I can live with it. I was quite sad when I went on holiday and I couldn’t go sleeveless (they really do look awful) but I’d rather be like I am today than the woman I was 2 and half years ago. I hope to never see her again for sure, she was a miserable, lost, almost dead woman.
I have approached my doctor regarding surgery on my arms but he said it’s considered cosmetic and he is sorry as he knows how much hard work I put into my weightloss.
As I said, I can live with it because I can cover them but some people can become severely depressed with the loose skin issue so I think in some cases it should be available on the NHS, especially when they have put so much hard work into losing the weight.
That is exactly how I get through my craving for cake,sweets,…I don’t buy any…I make a lot of cake,it goes straight into the freezer.
I know it sounds daft…but I do have a good word with myself about cake…it works for me…I fibbed,I forgot I bought a box of quality street…just reminded myself…still unopened .
I have approached my doctor regarding surgery on my arms but he said it’s considered cosmetic and he is sorry as he knows how much hard work I put into my weight loss.
As I said, I can live with it because I can cover them but some people can become severely depressed with the loose skin issue so I think in some cases it should be available on the NHS, especially when they have put so much hard work into losing the weight.
Would exercises specifically designed for biceps area help you LQ? I know you have a busy life and may not have time to go to a gym - but these could be done at home.
Unfortunately steroids are being handed out like smarties these days. I was even offered medication that had them in when I was having problems with ‘thing’ - I refused! They actually damage your skin from the inside as well piling on the weight.
LQ, I don’t know that there is ANYTHING harder than losing weight and getting fit. I admire your commitment.
Perhaps you could save up for the surgery if it is that central to your happiness and quality of life?
Pauline asked about exercise. You can tone your muscles beneath the skin, but not the skin itself. Surgery is the only option, but it comes with health risks.
My cousin had bariatric surgery, and though she lost weight, it affected her ability to absorb calcium, which resulted in terrible osteoporosis. She has experienced a bone break almost every time she has fallen since, which now restricts many of the activities that she had hoped to regain from the surgery. Anyone considering this surgery should be well-educated on possible malnutrition issues that can follow due to the body’s adjustment and poor nutrient absorbing. Digestion, absorption, and gut bacteria can all be seriously affected.
You are right, no amount of exercise on my arms will get rid of the loose skin, it can be helped by building up the muscle but it will always hang loose. I’d like to have surgery on my arms but I’m not brave enough, I’d be too scared of the pain and it getting infected etc. I guess I’ll live with the bingo wings, I’m proud of my achievement so perhaps I should celebrate them lol
The other day I saw online an old poster from over a hundred years ago advertising a circus which included ‘The fattest man in the World ‘
There was a picture of him and believe me I have see people as big as him walking around the nearest towns he didn’t look particularly out of the ordinary,
Last night I watched a terrible problem on ITV a hub on people who are truly obese .I mean tipping the scales between 30 - 40 stone ,.
It was horrifying. Along side these people there is always an enabler . A desired mother or spouse who is feeding their loved one to death . They also appear to be completely lacking in awareness of what they are doing and respond to the persons demands for food I’m large unhealthy quantities at all times .
