For anyone trying to get into shape, slipping into an old pair of jeans and finding it two sizes too big is the greatest reward and ultimate testament of your hard work, discipline and determination. Suddenly, all those months of misery, flipping tires at the gym (and blocking all those Instagram food accounts) become absolutely worth it. However, if you’ve shed a significant amount of weight, you may find that clothes are not the only things that now hang and sag on your body. We’re talking about loose and excess skin.
The protein collagen is responsible for the skin’s elasticity, allowing it to expand to accommodate the extra mass when you gain weight. However, it doesn’t have the capability to shrink or shorten, causing your skin to droop and sag after major weight loss, explains Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC, of Neinstein Plastic Surgery. Factors like age, genetics, sun exposure and smoking also affect your skin’s ability to snap back and tighten.
“Generally, the longer someone has been overweight, the looser their skin will be after weight loss,” adds Karen Whitney, physician’s assistant at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center. “Weight loss of 50 pounds or more typically results in a greater amount of hanging skin, especially for those with older or mature skin.” Read more
