Many people who are overweight will try anything to lose weight and get back into shape. A small percentage of them are able to accomplish their goals through diet and exercise. An
even larger percent of them, however, find that their weight interferes with exercise and confounds the problem. They find themselves in a “catch 22″ – they can’t exercise because of their weight and they can’t lose weight because they can’t exercise. One popular solution for people caught in this situation is to have bariatric surgery. This surgery modifies the stomach and intestines so that weight loss is feasible. Bariatric surgery has been very effective in producing significant weight loss for many people who feel they have no other option.

Whether a person loses weight through diet and exercise or through bariatric surgery, there are a few obstacles that arise BECAUSE of the weight loss. One of the most noticeable would be the loose skin that remains after the weight is gone. To understand why loose skin is an after-effect of weight loss, here’s an explanation: when someone is overweight, the skin stretches to accommodate the increased volume of weight. After weight loss, the skin often fails to tighten, and so it sags. In many cases, it hangs. It acts as a constant reminder of the weight you once were. Further diet and exercise WILL NOT tighten skin (exercise never tightens skin – only muscles). The only way to tighten loose skin is through surgery.