Gaining or losing weight is an intricate journey with many highs and lows. Many people fail to maintain their desired weight due to restrictive diets, the wrong mindset, or a lack of sustainable habits. Thankfully, the skin is a massive and highly adaptive organ that accommodates various changes in a short amount of time.
After a massive weight loss, the body experiences good and untoward effects. Keep reading to learn more about these changes and their appropriate remedies.
Common changes after massive weight loss
These are some common changes experienced by people that have undergone massive weight loss.
1. Appearance of stretch marks
Apart from loose skin, other skin changes associated with massive weight loss include the appearance of skin ulcers and infections. Most of the time, these infections originate from the loose skin site. Besides, some people also complain of skin pain from these sites.
Stretch marks are another notable change accompanying massive weight loss, especially after procedures not done by experts. Hence, it is important to approach professionals and surgeons like the best plastic surgeon in Montreal for weight loss procedures to minimize these side effects.
2. Appearance of loose skin
This is the most typical change after massive weight loss, especially rapidly. It occurs due to damage to collagen and elastin, which are two major proteins responsible for keeping the skin in shape. The amount of weight lost majorly determines the amount of loose skin that develops.
Aside from that, other factors that determine the quantity of loose skin include genetics, sun exposure, age, and smoking. Chronic exposure to the sun damages the essential proteins in your skin. Likewise, the older you become, the more likely it is to develop loose skin after massive weight loss.
3. Changes in body physiology
Massive weight loss is also associated with untoward changes in normal body function. An example is poor sleep patterns and irregular menstrual cycles in women. These changes are due to the alteration in the production of hormones needed to sustain normal body processes. Other people complain of decreased physical activity due to the formation of excess skin and other untoward effects of massive weight loss.
4. Psychological changes
Losing massive amounts of weight also has several psychological effects, such as poor body image. Most people remain shocked at their new body shape after massive weight loss and might lose confidence in their bodies. Also, family and friends not used to the new look may need some time to acclimate. All these and mood changes might affect one’s mental health. Some degree of emotional damage has also been associated with massive weight loss.
What to do after massive weight loss?
These are remedies to common changes seen after massive weight loss, depending on your situation and your specific needs. You can apply the following strategies according to you.
1. Body contouring surgery
The best way to shed excess skin after a massive weight loss is to undergo certain procedures known as body-contouring surgeries. They are usually a combination of various procedures done in succession depending on the body areas affected. The process involves making an incision on the affected skin area, removing excess fat and skin, and prompt closure with fine sutures.
Examples of these procedures include tummy tucks, arm lifts, and thigh lift surgeries. The whole procedure requires a minimal hospital stay of one to four days. However, recovery takes up to a month or longer in rare instances.
2. Strength training
Without a doubt, engaging in regimented physical activity helps with weight loss and, most importantly, maintaining a desired weight. However, resistance training, also referred to as strength training, can help tighten loose skin. It builds muscle mass, which invariably makes the surrounding skin tighter. Resistance training is recommended for both young and older adults and improves how loose skin looks in the long run.
3. Dietary changes
As mentioned earlier, one of the major causes of loose skin after massive weight loss is damage to skin collagen. Hence, it makes sense that eating certain foods rich in collagen helps rebuild the skin and firm it.
Liquid collagen supplements and bone broth are two of the most common sources of dietary collagen. Additionally, certain macro- and micronutrients can also help improve the production of collagen in the skin. These nutrients include protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin C. Lastly, staying well hydrated always helps to make the skin appear better.
4. Massage and Cosmetology
There are certain firming creams, especially ones that contain retinoids, that help to improve the turnover of skin cells. Over time, this cream can reduce the depth of wrinkles, increase firmness, and tighten some loose skin areas. The role of massage is to increase blood flow in the affected skin area, which in turn slows down the aging process. Also, certain cosmetic procedures, such as chemical peels, help improve skin appearance since the new skin beneath the old one looks less wrinkled.
Other less common cosmetic procedures that can help include ultrasound lightening, laser peeling, which is almost the same as a chemical peel but improves collagen production, and radiofrequency treatments. These procedures are non-surgical and non-invasive, which means fewer side effects and a faster recovery time. Lastly, Botox, a toxin that helps relax wrinkles, can also help with loose skin after weight loss.
Maintaining a desired weight doesn’t happen overnight. Rather, it’s a combination of various consistent efforts, which include physical exercise, diet, and medical and surgical procedures. However, in the event of massive weight loss, it’s normal to expect some natural changes to the skin. These changes should be embraced and corrected appropriately; they should not be seen as the end of life.
Loving one’s body is the most important thing in any weight loss regimen, and seeing every change that accompanies the journey as a process. Lastly, embrace a professional or surgeon for any weight loss operation to minimize side effects and get accustomed to any changes that might occur after these procedures.
