Couple Questions About loosing weight

[Paintballer01]

Yea I have some questions. 1. I have some nasty stretch marks because I gained all my weight fast, and i was wandering as I start to loose weight will they go away or will i have to do something to get rid of them?
2. If i loose my wieght will I have alot of loose skin? if so i just assum stay fat.

[UpsideDown]

For stretch marks, they're are some creams out there that say they work, but if they did, they would be a lot more expensive and popular. I know there are some creams that do work for preventing them that are popular for expecting women, but otherwise not. Stretch marks may fade a little bit as you loose weight, but they're there, more or less, for good.

As for loose skin, it depends on your age. The younger you are, the more likely your skin will keep up with your body. Of course it depends on how fast you're loosing. If you loose around two to three pounds a week, it shouldn't be too bad.

[Paintballer01]

well im gonna ask my doc about stretch marks because i cant keep these ugly things.

[0rion.78]

well, i have stretchmarks myself, and i know i cant get rid of them. later on i will consider them battle scars it shows how much i fought against my bad habits

[Paintballer01]

Yea good point. Every year when we go swimming i make up a lame excuss to not take off my shirt when i do get lean i dont wanna take off my shirt and have strech marks everywhere

[Paintballer01]

Another Question Do you think it is possibale for me to get down to 200 by august im 262 right now

[pezlove]

i start high school in august, just got pad today. goin from 180 to 130 would be sweet

[abrannan]

Paintballer01 said:

Another Question Do you think it is possibale for me to get down to 200 by august im 262 right now

Even if it's not, would that stop you from trying? Isn't it better to weigh less, no matter how close to, or far from, your end goal you are, in August? Will your friends really know the difference between 215 and 200? The point is you'll look and feel better no matter what the scale says. You can reach your end goal, no doubt about that, but it's not a race, and it's not like there won't be worthwhile benefits along the way.

[nonskanse]

As for the stretch marks...
DO talk to your doc, you can ask about Retin-A, it has been said in a couple of my girly magazines and by some friends that it can *reduce* the appearance of stretch marks. Retin-A is mainly for acne, but it does something that can help with the stretch marks. Mainly I have heard about it used for the butt stretch marks that girls get going through puberty, big weight gain stretch marks and pregnancy marks...

And nothing will get rid of them completely. They will fade some on their own in time..

[psisar]

In reply to the stretch marks, a friend told me that tanning will help to get rid of them... anyone know if this is true?

[frantep16]

Actually, though, I'm wondering if it makes them show up more. If they are that white/silvery color and the rest of your skin gets darker, then I would think they would show up even more because there would be more of a contrast.

And don't forget how bad tanning is for your skin in the first place.

I had lot's of stretch marks from having my daughter, but they are much much lighter now.

[psisar]

kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/stretch_marks.html

Basically the article says you're screwed unless you see a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. Or they fade away on their own.

[urbanjunglekitten]

I've heard that Cocoa Butter lotions are good for preventing stretch marks because they make your skin more malleable or something. I'm not sure how true this is, but I think by lotioning yourself every day after you shower, you'd get some benefits - even if they aren't for your stretch marks.

I have stretch marks but I don't really notice them usually. I think I'm lucky in that mine fade pretty fast.

Good luck!

UJKitten

[Paintballer01]

Im kinda at a plateu right now im staying around 260 right now im 258... I dont know SLOW PROCESS. Well my stretch marks arnt as visable..

[YouTehSuck]

get tattoos over stretch marks i saw some girl do that and it was awesome as hell. ill prolly do that if i have some when i lose my weight

[cwr71]

You're in luck as I am a dermatologist. Good news and bad news. If yur stretch marks are still pink or red, the color can be removed with laser. But the stretchmarks will have to go away on their own, and they aren't likely to do that quickly. Even surgical intervention really won't help much at all. Retinoids, like differin and Retin A (tretinoin) help remove fine lines and wrinkles on your face, but theyare too expensive for your abdomen and wouldn't work anyway. Sunlight, apart from making your skin look like %^&% when you're 60 (and givng you melanoma) can do one of two things: Tan you so they blend away and aren't visible or 2) Tan you but not the stretch marks so they are more obvious.

Fillers are an option, and possibly fat transfers from one part of your body to another but this is the realm of plastic surgeons and you'd have to talk to them.. I'd searh NIH or Pubmed (google pubmed) to check the efficacy of any surgery before doing it.

FInally, all the choices are expensive, including retin A (which wont work) at 45$ a 45 gram tube. That's a 3 month supply for the face, 1 month for the abdomen.


goodluck!
-cwr71

[brok702]

Tanning isnt good!

It brings a certain enzyme, I think, to the surface of the skin.

UVA and UVB rays= skin cancer

[cwr71]

No it doesn't "bring a certain enzyme to the surface". That's cute though.

UVB and UVA (especiallyt UVA) damages DNA directly. When the damage occurs fast enough it can't be fixed in time, or the damage happens in just the right spot (for example, a gene that tells your cell to stop dividing is destroyed) then the cell goes wild. UVA and UVB are present in sunlight and every single form of tanning booth available. So don't be fooled.

If the cell damaged is a melanocyte you get melanoma. These are fatal if not removed quickly. You should check all your moles monthly for the following things:

Assymetry

Border irregularity

Color changes (red, black and blue can be bad)

Diameter bigger than 5 mm or a pencil eraser (unless you were born with the mole, then it can be big and still be ok).

You notice these thngs can be remembered by ABCD and we call them the ABCDs of melanoma.

Teach your friends and you should keep an eye on their skin too! If you see a funny mole tell your family doctor and they will ask a dermatologist if they need help from one of us.

-cwr71