After weight loss surgery, you will begin the journey of losing weight and keeping it off. Many patients lose so much weight that they end up with excess skin that is loose or sagging. This skin often doesn’t have enough elasticity to shrink back down, so it’s left there. How do you get rid of loose skin after weight loss surgery?
Every patient’s weight loss story is different. The amount of weight that you lose will depend on a lot of different factors, including genetics, medical history, age, diet, and exercise routine.
If you lose weight and find that the excess skin is bothering you, here are some ways to help minimize it.
Eat a balanced diet.
A diet with protein will help you keep the weight off, retain muscle, and feel better. This can help a little to reduce the amount of loose, excess skin that your body has. Eating enough protein also helps with skin elasticity.
Regular exercise
Just like eating enough protein, regular exercise can help bulk your muscles up and avoid losing muscle mass. This helps minimize the amount of loose skin you have because your gained muscle will help fill out your skin.
Drink enough water.
After surgery, your diet will dramatically change, especially in the first four weeks. You will start out with an only-liquid diet, then slowly transition back to regular food.
Drinking enough water keeps your skin more elastic and also helps hydrate the rest of your body, which has its own health benefits!
Take vitamins.
Taking a combination of vitamins A, C, and E is a great way to take care of your skin.
Vitamin A aids in hydrating the skin, while vitamin C works as a protective agent for collagen and elastin in the skin. Vitamin E protects skin from sun damage, and vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, helps produce collagen and tighten the skin.
If you have questions about your body during the weight loss process, our experts at WeightWise can help. We look forward to helping you meet your weight loss goals, so you can look and feel your best. So if you’re wondering, “How do you get rid of loose skin after weight loss surgery?” then WeightWise is here for you.
Not every patient experiences sagging skin after bariatric surgery. Still, anyone who has lost a significant amount of weight in a short time — e.g., 100-plus pounds in less than 18 months — may feel as if they have extra skin.
You may wish to speak with a plastic surgeon regarding certain plastic surgery or other surgical procedures to eliminate loose skin. One of these is called body contouring. You may also consider other remedies, such as compression garments.
Let us know if you are interested in a procedure like this, and we can help provide you with trusted professional recommendations that many of our patients have used or are currently using.
We’re happy to discuss all your options with you. Contact us today to get started.