[Skip to Content]
East Tenneesee Children's

East Tenneesee Children's Hospital





How Can I Get Rid of Extra Skin After Weight Loss?

I've been overweight most of my life but lost 50 pounds recently and have some extra skin on my body. It's been tightening up (slowly) but can I speed it up? I already work out (cardio) every other day.

Congratulations on losing the extra weight!

Losing a lot of weight can leave a person with saggy skin, especially if the weight comes off quickly. There's no fast fix that can get rid of extra skin after weight loss, but you should keep seeing improvement. Just give it more time. Being young is in your favor, but you can't speed up the process.

Working out like you're doing is a great way to care for your body. Regular exercise, including cardio and strength training, will help you maintain your weight and tone your body. It also may help your skin look tighter.

Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about extra skin. Some people who lose very large amounts of weight (100 pounds or more) may consider plastic surgery after they've kept the weight off for a while.

Keep taking good care of yourself: Eating right, getting exercise, and caring for your skin can help you look and feel good.

Medically reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: August 2019