At age 66, will skin shrink up with diet and exercise?

[gocarol]

I'm 66 years old and weigh 225 lbs. I have recently joined WW and Curves for Women. It dawns on me that when I lose this weight, my torso skin might be puddling around my ankles! Has anyone lost a lot of weight at this age? I realize that genetics might come into play, but, as a general thing, what happens to your skin? Is there enough elasticity to shrink it up or will this be time for a tummy tuck?

[chari]

A very good question!!!!!! I am 65 and have 35 pounds to lose and I am questioning it too... I will be watching this post for suggestions and answers of what has happened to others... Maybe you will want to post this question on the 50 and 100 pounds to lose for advise if there is any of our age on there for this problem solution...????

chari

[JeanetteSki]

gocarol: Welcome to our Board!! graemlins/wave.gif I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you, so I would like to welcome you to our corner of the boards!!

Now, in answer to your question. Yes, I firmly believe that genetics do come into play here. I'm younger that you and have lost alot (let's just leave it at that), and I've had several cosmetic surgeries to "take up the slack" shall we say. Actually, only two, but that's enough!! One worked and one didn't. You're skin will have some elasticity left, but not much. I have exercised almost every day for the last 8 years, and my excess skin has gone nowhere! At our ages, it just doesn't shrink up like it used to. Sorry to rain on your parade, but that's been my findings. It's just never seemed fair to me that after we work so hard to get this blamed weight off, that we then have to try and find some way to either disguise what's left or figure out a way to have it surgically removed!! :mad:

Boy, whoever said this life was fair?

However, if you have good genes, you may get lucky!! :D

[gocarol]

Thanks for your welcome and for your answer, JeannetteSki. I was afraid of that! Now I am wondering if Medicare will pay for any surgery when the intent is to get rid of excess skin.

[redhotmama]

Hi, gocarol! My personal experience is that the skin does not havemuch elasticity left at our age. I am close to 60 and lave lost 60+ over 2 years which is slow...slowly is supposed to help prevent too much sagging but at our age, I'm afraid there isn't much we can do except go the surgical route. I, for one, do not want to go that route (having been an OR nurse witnessing too much!) so I go for tummy panels and light control garments. My medical plan wouldn't go for it anyway.....costs about $6000 here in B.C. (Canada). I am afraid I am raining on your parade, too! :rolleyes:

Diana graemlins/wave.gif