Loose Abdominal Skin After Weight Loss. How to Fix It?

Weight loss is a goal for many people, aiming to improve overall health. However, after successfully losing weight, while you may start to feel satisfied with your weight, the problem of a loose abdomen can also arise and become a concern.

So, what causes the problem of a loose abdomen after weight loss, or saggy skin after losing weight? What are the solutions for a loose abdomen or saggy skin? We at TopMedWorld are here to guide you.

What are the causes of a loose abdomen after weight loss?

To understand the causes of a loose abdomen after weight loss, one must first understand that our skin gets its elasticity from proteins like collagen and elastin, which act like springs allowing the skin to stretch and contract. When body weight increases, the skin in the abdominal area stretches to accommodate the accumulated fat. When weight is lost rapidly, the fat disappears, but the skin, which has already suffered a loss of collagen and elastin, cannot shrink back effectively. This results in sagging or a loose abdomen.

The main factors usually stem from the following causes:

• Rapid weight loss: Drastic weight loss gives the skin no time to adapt and shrink back to the body's smaller size.
• Duration of being overweight: The longer you have been overweight, the more the collagen and elastin in the skin are damaged and lose their elasticity.
• Amount of weight lost: Losing a large amount of weight (e.g., 30-50 kg or more) is more likely to cause sagging skin than losing a small amount.
• Age: As you get older, the body's natural collagen production decreases, making the skin less firm and more prone to sagging.
• Genetics: Genetic factors affect the skin's elasticity in each individual.
• Smoking and unhealthy behaviors: Smoking destroys collagen and elastin, while regular, unprotected sun exposure also causes the skin to degenerate faster.

4 Ways to Fix a Loose Abdomen After Weight Loss

Solving the problem of a loose abdomen or saggy skin after weight loss can be done in several ways, depending on the severity of the sagging. If the sagging is minor, simple methods like exercise, diet, and moisturizing creams may help. However, if the sagging is excessive, surgery and care from a specialist surgeon may be necessary.

The various methods are as follows:

1. Dietary Choices and Nutritional Care

Choosing high-protein foods is important because protein is a key component in building collagen and elastin, and it also helps repair the skin. You should choose good proteins from lean meats, eggs, fish, and legumes. Foods rich in Vitamin C also help synthesize collagen. Drinking enough water will also keep the skin hydrated.

2. Exercise to Build Muscle

Weight Training: Building abdominal muscles will help fill the space under the skin, making the skin look tighter and firmer. Recommended exercises include Plank, Crunch, Leg Raise, and exercises that work the core muscles. Cardio Exercise: Helps burn remaining excess fat and promotes overall health.

3. Non-Surgical Medical Procedures

Such as using Radio Frequency (RF) waves to stimulate collagen production, or using ultrasound waves that send high-frequency sound energy to the skin layers to stimulate collagen creation.

4. Surgical Procedures

If there is a problem of sagging skin all over the body, whether it's the arms, legs, or abdomen, a Body Lift surgery, which is an operation to remove excess skin from various parts of the body, is one effective option.

If the problem is a loose abdomen after weight loss, a Tummy Tuck surgery, which specifically removes excess fat or skin from the abdomen, is suitable for those with abdominal sagging directly from weight loss or after pregnancy.

However, if the abdominal sagging is not severe, a Mini Tummy Tuck, which is surgery on the lower abdomen or below the navel, would be a good option.

Solve Your Loose Abdomen Problem After Weight Loss with Top Med World

Top Med World has selected leading clinics and hospitals in Thailand and around the world renowned for plastic surgery to help solve the problem of a loose abdomen after weight loss, with appropriate treatments as recommended by doctors, such as:

• ID clinic
• Wansiri Hospital
• Masterpiece Hospital
• Kamol Cosmetic Hospital
• Bangkok Hospital

If you would like to know more, Top Med World offers package prices and special promotions for surgical procedures from leading hospitals and clinics in Thailand and worldwide. Contact us to make an appointment, meet a doctor, or for an online consultation.