Interesting Documentary on Discovery Health Last Night...

"Chris Braun" wrote in message
...
On 29 Jul 2004 12:43:54 -0700, (Doug Freyburger)
wrote:

A recent thread on ASD asked why losing faster isn't better. Here's
yet another reason why - Lose slowly enough and your skin should be
able to shrink as your stored fat does. Lose too fast and you could
end up with extra skin.


I don't think there's much evidence to support such a generalization
as you've made above (i.e., lose slowly enough and your skin will
shrink to fit). I think almost all 100+ pound losers are going to end
up with some excess tissue, regardless of speed of weight loss.


That's pretty much what my plastic surgeon said. He also said that besides
genetics, how *long* you were overweight plays a part too. Everyone is
different - go figure.

BTW for anyone considering the surgery to remove excess skin, a good surgeon
will insist that you keep your weight stable for *at least* a year before
performing the surgery. Mine recommended 2 or 3 years, but would do the
surgery after 1 year if there were other problems associated with the skin.

Jenn

"Chris Braun" wrote in message
...
On 29 Jul 2004 12:43:54 -0700, (Doug Freyburger)
wrote:

A recent thread on ASD asked why losing faster isn't better. Here's
yet another reason why - Lose slowly enough and your skin should be
able to shrink as your stored fat does. Lose too fast and you could
end up with extra skin.


I don't think there's much evidence to support such a generalization
as you've made above (i.e., lose slowly enough and your skin will
shrink to fit). I think almost all 100+ pound losers are going to end
up with some excess tissue, regardless of speed of weight loss.


That's pretty much what my plastic surgeon said. He also said that besides
genetics, how *long* you were overweight plays a part too. Everyone is
different - go figure.

BTW for anyone considering the surgery to remove excess skin, a good surgeon
will insist that you keep your weight stable for *at least* a year before
performing the surgery. Mine recommended 2 or 3 years, but would do the
surgery after 1 year if there were other problems associated with the skin.

Jenn

On 30 Jul 2004 07:24:05 -0700, (Doug Freyburger)
wrote:

Chris Braun wrote:
Doug Freyburger wrote:

A recent thread on ASD asked why losing faster isn't better. Here's
yet another reason why - Lose slowly enough and your skin should be
able to shrink as your stored fat does. Lose too fast and you could
end up with extra skin.

Well, I hate to disillusion anyone, but this is a rather
over-optimistic statement for those of us who are older and have a
fair bit of weight to lose. I lost my weight at only a little over a
pound a week, and I certainly have extra skin. It's not nearly as bad
as it might be -- probably partly due to the slow weight loss, but
also, I think, to how I carried the weight, continuing exercise, and
just some genetic luck of the draw. But I doubt I'll ever want to
wear a bikini in public :-).

I don't think there's much evidence to support such a generalization
as you've made above (i.e., lose slowly enough and your skin will
shrink to fit).

You just posted that it's a great partial strategy and the best
known strategy. Until a complete solution comes out, partial
is the best that can be done. Given the choice between partial
and none, I'll take partial.

I think almost all 100+ pound losers are going to end
up with some excess tissue, regardless of speed of weight loss.

Some is a lot better than a lot. You are an excellent role
model for that reducing excess skin along with your other
successes.

I agree that's a partial strategy. However, your post was stated in
absolute terms, and I felt that it offered unrealistic expectations.
Some people are very disappointed to find they don't have a model's
body after a big weight loss, and it's better to not expect the
impossible, or to feel there's something wrong with oneself if that
isn't what happens.

Chris

On 30 Jul 2004 07:24:05 -0700, (Doug Freyburger)
wrote:

Chris Braun wrote:
Doug Freyburger wrote:

A recent thread on ASD asked why losing faster isn't better. Here's
yet another reason why - Lose slowly enough and your skin should be
able to shrink as your stored fat does. Lose too fast and you could
end up with extra skin.

Well, I hate to disillusion anyone, but this is a rather
over-optimistic statement for those of us who are older and have a
fair bit of weight to lose. I lost my weight at only a little over a
pound a week, and I certainly have extra skin. It's not nearly as bad
as it might be -- probably partly due to the slow weight loss, but
also, I think, to how I carried the weight, continuing exercise, and
just some genetic luck of the draw. But I doubt I'll ever want to
wear a bikini in public :-).

I don't think there's much evidence to support such a generalization
as you've made above (i.e., lose slowly enough and your skin will
shrink to fit).

You just posted that it's a great partial strategy and the best
known strategy. Until a complete solution comes out, partial
is the best that can be done. Given the choice between partial
and none, I'll take partial.

I think almost all 100+ pound losers are going to end
up with some excess tissue, regardless of speed of weight loss.

Some is a lot better than a lot. You are an excellent role
model for that reducing excess skin along with your other
successes.

I agree that's a partial strategy. However, your post was stated in
absolute terms, and I felt that it offered unrealistic expectations.
Some people are very disappointed to find they don't have a model's
body after a big weight loss, and it's better to not expect the
impossible, or to feel there's something wrong with oneself if that
isn't what happens.

Chris

On 30 Jul 2004 07:24:05 -0700, (Doug Freyburger)
wrote:

Chris Braun wrote:
Doug Freyburger wrote:

A recent thread on ASD asked why losing faster isn't better. Here's
yet another reason why - Lose slowly enough and your skin should be
able to shrink as your stored fat does. Lose too fast and you could
end up with extra skin.

Well, I hate to disillusion anyone, but this is a rather
over-optimistic statement for those of us who are older and have a
fair bit of weight to lose. I lost my weight at only a little over a
pound a week, and I certainly have extra skin. It's not nearly as bad
as it might be -- probably partly due to the slow weight loss, but
also, I think, to how I carried the weight, continuing exercise, and
just some genetic luck of the draw. But I doubt I'll ever want to
wear a bikini in public :-).

I don't think there's much evidence to support such a generalization
as you've made above (i.e., lose slowly enough and your skin will
shrink to fit).

You just posted that it's a great partial strategy and the best
known strategy. Until a complete solution comes out, partial
is the best that can be done. Given the choice between partial
and none, I'll take partial.

I think almost all 100+ pound losers are going to end
up with some excess tissue, regardless of speed of weight loss.

Some is a lot better than a lot. You are an excellent role
model for that reducing excess skin along with your other
successes.

I agree that's a partial strategy. However, your post was stated in
absolute terms, and I felt that it offered unrealistic expectations.
Some people are very disappointed to find they don't have a model's
body after a big weight loss, and it's better to not expect the
impossible, or to feel there's something wrong with oneself if that
isn't what happens.

Chris

On Fri, 30 Jul 2004 03:19:08 GMT, Chris Braun
wrote:

On 29 Jul 2004 12:43:54 -0700, (Doug Freyburger)
wrote:

A recent thread on ASD asked why losing faster isn't better. Here's
yet another reason why - Lose slowly enough and your skin should be
able to shrink as your stored fat does. Lose too fast and you could
end up with extra skin.

Well, I hate to disillusion anyone, but this is a rather
over-optimistic statement for those of us who are older and have a
fair bit of weight to lose. I lost my weight at only a little over a
pound a week, and I certainly have extra skin. It's not nearly as bad
as it might be -- probably partly due to the slow weight loss, but
also, I think, to how I carried the weight, continuing exercise, and
just some genetic luck of the draw. But I doubt I'll ever want to
wear a bikini in public :-).

I don't think there's much evidence to support such a generalization
as you've made above (i.e., lose slowly enough and your skin will
shrink to fit). I think almost all 100+ pound losers are going to end
up with some excess tissue, regardless of speed of weight loss.

Chris
262/143/ (145-150)

I do think age has a lot to do with it. It's well known that the skin
loses a lot of its elasticity as we get older, and it's asking a lot
of older skin to fit a body that's several clothing sizes smaller.
I've noticed a great difference with loose skin when I lose weight as
I've got older - when I was in my 20s and 30s, and probably even my
40s, I took it for granted that my skin would stretch and shrink to
fit whateve size my body happened to be. Perhaps how many times over
you've lost and regained is also a factor here.

janice
233/181/133

On Fri, 30 Jul 2004 03:19:08 GMT, Chris Braun
wrote:

On 29 Jul 2004 12:43:54 -0700, (Doug Freyburger)
wrote:

A recent thread on ASD asked why losing faster isn't better. Here's
yet another reason why - Lose slowly enough and your skin should be
able to shrink as your stored fat does. Lose too fast and you could
end up with extra skin.

Well, I hate to disillusion anyone, but this is a rather
over-optimistic statement for those of us who are older and have a
fair bit of weight to lose. I lost my weight at only a little over a
pound a week, and I certainly have extra skin. It's not nearly as bad
as it might be -- probably partly due to the slow weight loss, but
also, I think, to how I carried the weight, continuing exercise, and
just some genetic luck of the draw. But I doubt I'll ever want to
wear a bikini in public :-).

I don't think there's much evidence to support such a generalization
as you've made above (i.e., lose slowly enough and your skin will
shrink to fit). I think almost all 100+ pound losers are going to end
up with some excess tissue, regardless of speed of weight loss.

Chris
262/143/ (145-150)

I do think age has a lot to do with it. It's well known that the skin
loses a lot of its elasticity as we get older, and it's asking a lot
of older skin to fit a body that's several clothing sizes smaller.
I've noticed a great difference with loose skin when I lose weight as
I've got older - when I was in my 20s and 30s, and probably even my
40s, I took it for granted that my skin would stretch and shrink to
fit whateve size my body happened to be. Perhaps how many times over
you've lost and regained is also a factor here.

janice
233/181/133

jamie wrote:

Lotion merely moistens the dead outermost layer.

Loofah first ;-)

--
Walking (but mostly biking!) on . . .
Laurie in Maine
207/110 60 inches of attitude!
Start: 2/02 Maintained since 2/03

jamie wrote:

Lotion merely moistens the dead outermost layer.

Loofah first ;-)

--
Walking (but mostly biking!) on . . .
Laurie in Maine
207/110 60 inches of attitude!
Start: 2/02 Maintained since 2/03

Chris Braun wrote:

I agree that's a partial strategy. However, your post was stated in
absolute terms, and I felt that it offered unrealistic expectations.
Some people are very disappointed to find they don't have a model's
body after a big weight loss, and it's better to not expect the
impossible, or to feel there's something wrong with oneself if that
isn't what happens.

and of course, they didn't have a model's body *ever before*, but think
losing weight will magically reveal one?

--
Walking (but mostly biking!) on . . .
Laurie in Maine
207/110 60 inches of attitude!
Start: 2/02 Maintained since 2/03