Fat/Loose skin. How to tell?

[ShayS05]

How can you tell the difference between fat and loose skin? I feel like I fall more into the loose skin category than fat (especially in the lower belly) but I don't really know how to tell.

Also, for anyone on here that's a lot of weight recently (I've lost 80 pounds over the last 18 months or so) how long did it take for your loose skin to tighten up? Or if there's any good techniques to help tighten loose skin. I'm not aware of any, but thought it couldn't hurt to ask.

[vismal]

In my opinion, if you have to ask it's most likely fat. It could be loose skin with some fat. As you lose the little bits of fat the skin tends to respond favorably. Post a picture. People with tell you to use X cream, or put Y on your stomach and those things really don't work. Time is the best medicine for loose skin. You can exfoliate and moisturize if you want but again it's simply a matter of time. Sometimes if the weight loss was so dramatic it will never fully heal without surgery. But regardless of how bad your skin is, it will get better over time.

[ShayS05]

Uploaded a more recent photo, would be interested to know what the thought is.

[vismal]

Too much fat to call it loose skin. Sure it might be hanging a little but that's largely because there is still plenty of fat left. Also, I'm not hating. Losing 80 lbs is AWESOME! Doing it over 18 months is largely why your skin isn't worse then it is. Keep up the nice steady weight loss and loose skin can be a minimal problem for you.

[ShayS05]

Too much fat to call it loose skin. Sure it might be hanging a little but that's largely because there is still plenty of fat left. Also, I'm not hating. Losing 80 lbs is AWESOME! Doing it over 18 months is largely why your skin isn't worse then it is. Keep up the nice steady weight loss and loose skin can be a minimal problem for you.

Yeah for sure, and I appreciate the honesty. Sometimes you need a good bit of honesty haha. Get caught up in wanting to have ALL the results sometimes. Didn't get overweight overnight, won't all go away overnight either.

[ShayS05]

Also, I don't know if you can really do it with just a picture but if you had to guess what my approximate bf% was, what would you say?

[vismal]

Hard to say. 17 or so would be my wild guess. The thing you have going for you is that you have a good muscular base underneath the fat. Keep cutting and you'll look great!

[elgatito71]

agree with vismal... to much fat to call it loose skin but don't give up you doing fine.. bf estimate at 20%