Tips for How to Tighten Loose Skin

Skin is typically stretched due to significant weight gain and pregnancy. Skin expansion during pregnancy occurs over a few months’ time and will typically retract within several months of delivery. During significant weight gain skin often loses its ability to retract after weight loss due to damage to collagen, elastin, and other components responsible for elasticity making retraction of the skin more difficult.

Loose skin can be frustrating and have an impact on self-esteem. While there are many ways you can develop loose skin, once you have it, it can be difficult to reverse.

While surgery is one way of removing excess skin, there are multiple ways that the skin can retract naturally. It’s these area I’ll be focusing on, but will touch on cosmetic procedures & prevention tips at the end.

Exercise

Long term excess fat will distend the skin which can cause it to lose some of its ability to shrink with weight loss. Replacing that lost fat with muscle mass can lessen the *appearance* of loose skin.

Massage

Increasing the blood flow to areas of the body can help stimulate an anti-aging response causing come contraction of the skin. Now massage definitely reduces dead skin cells and helps with slight retraction. Unfortunately, with large amounts of skin, my RMT sources can’t see it working with a significant amount of skin

I haven’t done any massage on my problems area, but I have gotten regular therapeutic massages on my back currently & during the later half of my weight-loss journey. It is possible that the skin on my back is not a big problem area for me due to this.

Firming Creams.

Firming cream is one that contains retinoid Retinoids are chemical derivatives of vitamin A and include: retinoinretinoic acid adapalene. They increase the proliferation, maturation, and turnover of skin cells. Creams that contain hyaluronic acid, which attracts and holds onto water molecules. Hyaluronic helps :reduce the depth of wrinkles, increase skin firmness, diminish skin roughness. Collagen and elastin molecules are too large to be absorbed through your skin. In general, collagen must be created from the inside out.

Supplements.

There’s no magic pill to fix loose skin, but some supplements can help

Collagen, which makes up 80% of your skin’s structure, provides firmness and strength. Elastin provides elasticity and helps your skin stay tight.

Certain nutrients are important for the production of collagen and other components of healthy skin:

Protein. Adequate protein is vital for healthy skin. The amino acids lysine and proline play a direct role in collagen production.

Vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis and also helps protect skin from sun damage

Omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish may help increase skin elasticity and have anti-aging effect

Water. Staying well hydrated may improve the skin’s appearance. One study found that women who increased their daily water intake had significant improvements in skin hydration and function.

Hyaluronic Acid & Collegen Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds onto water molecules and helps :reduce the depth of wrinkles, increase skin firmness, diminish skin roughness The innermost layer of your skin consists of proteins, including collagen and elastin. Collagen, which makes up 80% of your skin’s structure, provides firmness and strength. Elastin provides elasticity and helps your skin stay tight.

What I’ve Done:

1. When I got my tats last year to keep the skin moisturized & healthy, I used a product called Udderly Smooth® Extra Care 20 , Urea penetrates and hydrates extra dry skin by holding onto water moisturization and giving skin the replenishment it needs. After applying the moisturizer to my shoulder & upper arm, I always had extra on my hands. So twice a day I was applying the extra to my abdomen. This resulted in an increase in firmness as the skin appeared to retract on my stomach. I started having fewer infections at the folds of skin.

^{I receive no compensation for my endorsement of this product}.

2. In the last month, I have started taking the supplement shown below. It contains Verisol Bioactive Collagen Peptides, phytoceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and biotin. Scientific research has shown that these incredible ingredients help maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails, and significantly improves skin hydration, elasticity, and smoothness by reducing wrinkles and promoting healthy collagen production.

For best results, the recommended dosage for adults is 2 tablets 2 times daily. That would make the 120tabley supply for 30 days. Being on a limited budget, I take one tablet twice a day.

I have recently started to notice that it seems to be helping. The skin across my adbomen seems to be tightening up. The skin on my arms, my “bat wings” seem to be less noticeable and wobble less.

I receive no compensation for my endorsement of this product.

——————————-

Cosmetic Procedures

While medical or surgical treatments can help improve loose skin, they are more invasive options for tighten loose skin after major weight loss.

Body Contouring Surgery

People who have lost a significant amount of weight via bariatric surgery or other weight loss methods often request surgery to remove excess skin.

In body-contouring surgery, a surgeon makes a large incision and removes excess skin and fat. They then suture the incision with fine stitches to minimize scarring. These surgeries usually require a hospital stay followed by recovery time at home.

Specific body-contouring surgeries include:

• abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): removal of skin from the abdomen
• lower-body lift: removal of skin from the belly, buttocks, hips, and thighs
• upper-body lift: removal of skin from the breasts and back
• medial thigh lift: removal of skin from the inner and outer thighs
• brachioplasty (arm lift): removal of skin from the upper arms

Multiple surgeries are usually performed on different body parts over the span of 1 to 2 years after major weight loss.

Body-contouring surgery may improve quality of life after significant weight loss. However, if complications arrise, some quality of life scores decreased in people who had the procedure.

Alternative Medical Procedures

Although body-contouring surgery is by far the most common procedure to remove loose skin, less invasive options with a lower risk of complications include:

• Radiofrequency treatment. Such treatments may use a combination of infrared light, radiofrequency, and massage to reduce loose skin. While this treatment doesn’t induce weight loss, it may help reduce small areas of fat cells.
• Ultrasound. A controlled study of ultrasound treatment in people who had bariatric surgery found no objective improvement in loose skin. However, people did report relief of pain and other symptoms following treatment.

It appears that although there are fewer risks with these alternative procedures, the results may not be as dramatic as with body-contouring surgery.

Prevention

There are a few ways you can prevent loose skin.

1. If you smoke, quit. Make your home a smoke-free zone, so you’re not exposed to it. Consult your healthcare professional about quitting.
2. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, even if it’s cloudy outside. Apply 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours.
3. Moisture. Using the firming creams above will help elasticity anfer pregnancy and as you are loosing weight. You don’t need to wait until you get loose skin to help prevent it.

Tips – Avoid Negativity

Always try to avoid as much negativity as possible in your life. Most of all, whatever makes you laugh or feel happy, do that.

So there are people in your life who put you down, disregard you, ignore you, are demeaning to you or don’t believe you These are the people you cut out or limit, if possible, from you life.

Activities that you can’t do, don’t want to do but are pushed o you, are having extreme difficulty doing. These are activities you cut out or limit to the best of your ability Unfortunately, single people can not just stop doing dishes or laundry unfortunately. 😅

Hang out with people who truely care and support you. My sister is one of those people. I see her usually twice a week. We go for a walk (yes I enjoy walking) and chat about her, about me, about family, about mutual interests, about friends, Just life.

Do things you enjoy. Sometimes they maybe hard, but if they are worth the effort, do them to the best of your ability. I like to read, so I will grab a book and sit outside (sometimes in the sun, sometime the shade) for an hour or two and loose myself. Something that can be difficult, but worthwhile, is my Cub pack. I admit I do tend to overdo it sometimes, but it brings me & it brings the kids (well 99% of them) joy, fun, exercise, learning and an appreciation or nature & each other.

Camping with Fibro

Yes, I can go camping with Fibro. It borders on Glamping, but I’m still in the outdoors, in my tent & cooking out on a stove. And yes, I have gone camping twice this summer, so far with at least one more weekend planned

I have had to make many modifications to how I can camp.

I am no longer able to go backpacking. I would not be able to handle the weight I’d have to carry mile after mile.. In my teens, I had gone up to the back country of Algonquin, spending several days out in the wilds with friends. That’s not happening anymore. The mind is willing, but the body’s not even gonna consider it! Lol.

I have had to upgrade from a 2-person hiking tent to a a 4-person, 3-season tent. I can no longer sleep on the ground, on thin mats, bubble pads or wood flooring like at Camp Adelaide. I now have a double high queen size air mattress that I use. I have a fitted sheet on it & depending on the weather 1-2 sleeping bags & my Lilly blanket. I also have a pillow that I use exclusively for camping.

^{My camp setup for virtual Cuboree}

I have borrowed a camp stove from one of my cub packs (yes, the pack knows). It connects to the smaller green propane tanks, not a big 20lber. It is not one that requires you to prime it, cuz I find that one difficult. But also does use the huge tanks either so I don’t have to move that either. In addition I recently purchased my own stove used. I still need to clean it & test it tho.

I can light a propane lantern both on the green tanks & the big white ones. I’m lazy & cheap so I only use a small battery-operated portable one & my handy dandy flashlight. Blessed with good night sight, I don’t usually need a light source to sneak off to the bathroom at 2 in the morning.

I recently purchased an small indoor/outdoor table to use camping & at in-person & outdoor cub events. I am not sitting on the ground to cook or prep. With COVID, we can not share the picnic table with others right now, so I need my own table.

As some of y’all know, I have a long sleep cycle, and I’m sure your curious how I do that camping. Easy: ear plugs, & sleep mask. With my Cubs, I have our SiTs do breakfast, but otherwise, I suck it up. I know I will crash out during the week, but it is worth it.

^{My pink sleep mask (I have 3) & a pair is standard orange ear plugs.}

To sit, I bring lawn chairs. My butt is too big & my balance to horrible to be able to get in an actual camp chair, handmade or store bought. Add to the fact that they are barely off the ground, with some I’d have to get on the ground to get up! Lol

^{This is what my current campfire chair looks like, but with thicker wood .. Made it in Rover Scouts.}

Swimming? Heaven! The water is a blessing. Yes, not everywhere has water, but I camp at my bff’s cottage so there’s water there. Our cottage is also on a lake.. I enjoy the cool lake as it’s refreshing, especially on warm day.

I make sure I take all my medications, as prescribed at the appropriate time. I also bring sufficient extra medications, especially the PRN meds cuz you never know when you’ll need them. In addition to the regular meds I also bring my A535 & the Voltaran cuz again, you never know.

Are there other aspects of camping that I’m missing? Let me know & I will tell you how I deal with them!

Online Dating Profiles – Tips for Guys

I know.. it’s got nothing to do with fibro, or health, but it’s my blog so I can pick the occasional off topic.

So.. Tips for Guys in their online dating profiles… I think unless you are in a hardcore fetish site or a site exclusively for hookups only, I think these suggestions might help you get a better response from the ladies.. or laddie’s, if you swing that way…

Have a Good Profile picture:

• Picture of you, your face, not your dog, your bike, your fish, your boat or your genitalia.
• Smile!!! Unless you a totally serious person.. Have at least one photo of you with an honest smile on your face.
• Make sure you are the focal point of the picture. The point is to see you, not the statue or whatnot you are standing beside. & Loose the mask so we can see your face & also be cognizant of the light and shadows they cast
• Picture of only you, no other people. You can put picture of you with your kid(s), your family, your friends elsewhere in your profile, just not the main one
• No pictures with blanked out faces. Just crop the other person out, or use a different picture
• Make sure it’s in focus and check the lighting to make sure your face can be seen.
• Keep the background simple, unless it is highly relevant to you. & No taking your pictures in the damn car – be original! Try to blur out any busy backgrounds if you can
• Don’t add any filters to your image..Don’t need to bling it up
• Keep your images current, especially if your look changes..
• Do not use memes as your first few images,
• Don’t use the picture from work, be it an ID badge, business card or a professional marketing materials. Most of these are too posed & too stiff to represent you well in this medium.. & for ID badges, nthose are not typically a complimentary picture
• Brush your hair, put on something nice if you are going to take a selfie & taking from straight on or better slightly above, but not beliw
• Dont use an Avatar for your user image, and doing be someone that’s not you, esp a celeb.. If you are not Shemar Moore’s twin, don’t use his picture.
• Include multiple pictures.. The second & third & fourth can include your kids or your dog.. but skip the one where your sister is giving you a high – first question is always – Who is she? His wife?.
• Do not use the same picture more than once
• Only use a “dick pic” if you are on a hookup site & that’s what you are looking for.

Add actual profile content.. it does not have to be long only 3-4 sentences to start… And you can add more later.

• Write *Something* Don’t just leave it blank
• Describe what you a looking for be it a hookup, a fwb, a dating partner or something long-term & permanent..
• Describe what you’re looking for in someone. Be upfront. If you don’t like Asian Women, say so. If you don’t like Smokers, say so. If you want someone 420 friendly then say so.
• Tell us about you – character traits & descriptive words that might help: Funny, sarcastic, confident, laid-back, determined, passionate, ambitious, kind, outgoing, shy, outdoorsy, homebody, animal lover, thrifty, open-minded, politically savvy, honest, honourable, adaptable, Raptors fan, imaginative, creative, spontaneous, happy, friendly, movie liver, compassionate, loyal, humble, meticulous, picky, assertive, sports enthusiast, reliable, sociable, enthusiastic, meticulous, generous, curious, clean, tidy, healthy, charming, brilliant, courageous, artistic, dramatic, playful, creative, principled, honourable, organized, scatterbrained, disciplined, affectionate, faithful, private, extreme, unique, sincere, reserved & shy vs affable & gregarious, talkative or quiet, adventurous, hardworking, Liberal vs Conservative vs Socialist, strong-willed, respectful, blunt, democratic, self-sufficient, wise, smart, sexy, vain, modern VA old fashioned, physical, hedonistic, money-driven, delicate, opinionated, predatory, zany, sassy …That’s a good list to help you out
• Answer some of the questions different sites ask.. “What can you cook? What TV shows do you watch?
• Be clear & concise. Be aware of spelling, punctuation & grammar..
• The more you complete of your profile, generally also means the more accurate your matches are..

Do not have multiple profiles.. I’ve come across the same guy in 3 different profiles.. I blocked all.three cuz he’s not a twin or a ltriple.

Any other suggestions? For guys, or ideas for gals aswell – I could always new tips!

What You Do Cuz of Fibromyalgia

What people don’t realize what you’re doing because you have fibromyalgia.

From Chronic Illness on The Mighty

 

Coping With The Holidays

Coping With The Holidays
By Kelli Ellis

I am my own worst enemy. Like many others with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, I find the holidays a highly stressful and painful time of year instead of the joyful and happy time it should be. I am too focused on the perceived expectations of others instead of the reality of my limitation and restrictions.. I know many of us want to accomplish what our bodies are simply not capable of, so we have to adjust our outlook and re-evaluate our priorities. The holidays are all about spending time with those we love most – keeping time and energy for what we hold most precious and dear. Doing so will help reduce the stress and thus the pain and emotional issues that crop up at Christmas.

Pace Yourself..
When you think “I’ll just visit 1 or 2 more shops, go up 1 or 2 more aisles, wrap 1 or 2 more presents, bake 1 or 2 more trays of cookies or do that 1 or 2 more things.” – Don’t! Stop before you get to that tired or hurt point. Don’t deal with a fibro or CFS flare, prevent one.

Decorate, but not too much..

• Have a smaller tree with few decorations. I have invited over the nieces in past and we made an afternoon of putting up the tree.
• Have someone put up the outdoor lights.
• Get a nativity scene that is pre-made as one unit and/or lightweight, so you don’t have to lug many pieces. I have a smaller plastic Precious Memories one (which the kids love to play with) and a small water fountain of Joseph, Mary & baby Jesus.

Celebrate

• Choose carefully to go only to 1 or 2 holiday parties, don’t accept every invite.
• If you can, spend time with those you hold dear, not those who will cause stress.
• Plan ahead how long you plan to stay and stick to it.
• Always keep a supply of regular meds on hand, in case.

Delegate

• Pass on some of the holiday chores to others so that while everyone shares the joy, they also share responsibility.

Cooking

• Share these responsibilities or making an easier selection.
• Do a pot luck dinner.
• Choose a one dish dinner to limit the number of dishes.
• Choose easier recipies.
• Prep or make whatever can be done beforehand and refridgerate or freeze.
• Keep to your normal eating habits as much as possible & do not overdo it on sweets and other foods.

Baking

• Do a holiday cookie/snack exchange.
• Bake cookies in stages – many recipes require overnight in the fridge.
• Cheat – buy your cookies.. I know, not the same, but nothing’s the same anymore, is it?

Shopping

• Online/catalogs/mail order gifts.
• Gift cards & gift certificates.
• Plan ahead, make a list & write it down.
• Organize your trips into several short shopping trips.
• Shop in the morning, or later in the evening when the crowds are thinner.
• Start early – once I started on Dec 26th.
• Take regular breaks to rest.
• if you use a mobility device (cane, crutches, walker), take it with you even if you don’t need it yet
• Use a shopping cart for stability, to carry parcals & outerwear.
• Use a coat check if your mall has one so you don’t have to worry about your jacket.
• Get salespeople for help if you can find them.
• Always keep a supply of regular meds on hand, in case.

Wrapping Presents

• Wrap using gift bags & tissue paper.
• Take advantage of on-site wrapping services – many are for charity.

Holiday Cards

• Do them well ahead of time like October or November,
• Make labels so you’re not writing address after address, if even it’s only the return address.

Above all – KISS! Keep It Sweet and Simple!