How to Prevent Hanging Skin on the Stomach After Weight Loss

When you lose a substantial amount of weight, approximately 25 percent or more of your total body weight, you can develop saggy skin around certain areas. The skin may hang off of places like your stomach. As you are losing weight, you can do certain things to prevent excess skin around the stomach. It is important to speak to your doctor first if you plan to lose a large amount of weight.

Woman with fat belly. (Image: Sasiistock/iStock/Getty Images)

Step 1

Lose weight at a gradual pace. Although you may want to drop the weight quickly, you should instead aim for a weight loss of one to two pounds per week to prevent saggy skin around the stomach.

Step 2

Avoid following a low-carbohydrate diet to lose weight. People drop a large amount of weight on low-carb diets, partly due to water loss. This quick weight loss makes you more prone to hanging skin.

Step 3

Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. This helps keep you hydrated and maintain the skin's elasticity. To keep your skin supple, you should moisturize daily as well. Apply a moisturizing lotion to your stomach area on a daily basis.

Step 4

Exercise during your weight loss program. Besides helping you burn calories, exercise helps build muscle. Instead of saggy skin around the stomach, you will have a toned look. Exercise three to five times per week for thirty minutes to an hour. Aerobic workouts and strength training should be part of your routine. Exercises that can tone the stomach area include rowing, kickboxing and stair climbing.

Tip

Speak to a plastic surgeon if you were not able to prevent saggy skin after weight loss. He can go over surgical options to correct the condition, like a tummy tuck.