I have watched those Discovery Health shows where the person gets a gastric bypass surgery and loses the weight very quickly, and then has mass amounts of skin hanging everywhere. I wonder if there is loose skin like that if you exercise and diet slowly and steadily (the healthier way). I am 42 and I need to lose 120 lbs or so, and I have been very concerned about excess skin. At my age it's starting not to bounce back anymore and I assume I will have some hangage haha. Anyhow, does anyone know?

I live close to a hospital that does a lot of bariatric surgeries and my ex-wife had it done. I'm not a huge proponent of the surgery, but their info is a great source for stuff like this. There are tons of sites about it on the net.

First off, adding muscle can help fill up that loose skin. Secondly, time will help to tone it, too.

Beyond those limitations there are the surgical options. Insurance wont cover them usually and they should be considered a one time deal. An aggressive doctor with experience can sometimes get insurance companies to pay for a tummy tuck. It isn't easy and basically involves documenting skin rashes, etc. Keep in mind that the rapid weight loss that bariatric surgery creates often results in hernias and other side effects. Surgeon usually does all of these procedures at once. Kinda like tieing tubes since they've got you c-sectioned anyway.

Keep in mind that surgery basically involves trading the excess skin for scars. A good surgeon can minimize these, but they're still there. It's an option and I don't have any personal problems with it, but it isn't a minor procedure and definitely isn't a miracle cure.

So, sorry. No easy answers. =(

When you diet and exercise slowly you give your body the chance to get accustomed to the changes. With the exception of a couple of weeks I for the most part have lost on average 3lbs a week over the course of 13 months. I have lost a little over 100lbs and my body is adjusting proportionately. But I do strength training a couple times a week so that may help.

My mother lost 150 pounds over a year and a half with no exercise and only had slight sagging of the skin in her abdomen and arms... medical insurance might pay for that, as her's did... so as long as u work out and lose slowly.. It shouldn't be that harsh... Your skin is like elastic, but if you move too quickly, it wont know where to go.... good luck!!