When you gain weight, your skin stretches. Even though skin is elastic, at a certain point it loses flexibility. For those who lose extreme amounts of weight, this may result in excess loose skin. If you plan to lose a significant amount of weight, ask your doctor to recommend ways of limiting your chances of developing excess skin.
Function
A number of factors determine whether or not your skin will return to normal after you lose weight. These factors include the natural elasticity of your skin, smoking habits, age, total amount of weight lost and the weight-loss method.
Considerations
Your rate of weight loss affects the likelihood of developing loose skin, according to the Health Services at Columbia University. Losing a moderate amount of weight -- less than 50 lbs. over the course of several months -- decreases your chances of developing excess loose skin.
Effects
Excess skin can result from bariatric surgery, a category of medical procedures that help obese people lose weight. Gastric-bypass surgery is one example, and decreases the size of the stomach to help control a patient's appetite. The majority of obese people who require gastric-bypass surgery will develop loose skin as a result , according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Solution
In most cases, plastic surgery is the only way to remove loose skin that results from weight loss. Unfortunately, medical insurance is unlikely to cover the removal of excess skin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, although exceptions do exist. Talk to your doctor to determine your options.
Expert Insight
Losing weight in a moderate fashion has two major benefits: It decreases your chances of developing excess skin, and it helps you foster permanent behavioral changes that lead to an overall healthier life. Safe, effective weight loss requires adhering to a nutritious diet and maintaining an adequate level of physical activity.
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