Stretch Marks :( - Obesity Message Board

natt_3531 · 12-04-2003, 08:32 PM

I have stretch marks on my breasts, legs and underarms. My breasts also aren't very perky. I'm extremely overweight, standing at an estimated 5'3-5'5 and I weigh somewhere between 150-160 pounds. The most embarrassing factor: I'm fourteen years old. I'd be too embarrassed to go to mom with this, so I'll ask here..do stretch marks go away, or are they like scars? I'm trying to lose weight, but it won't do very much good looks wise if I keep the marks and the breasts as they are. This just crushes my confidence and I'm extremely depressed..please help.

Mommy2Isaiah · 12-04-2003, 08:52 PM

You are not extremely overweight. You might be a little bit, but not extreme. What I wouldn't give to weigh what you do. I do know how you feel, though. I have been heavy since I was 8 and it was so hard when I was in jr. high and high school.

As far as your stretch marks go, they will fade away into silvery-white marks. They never (as far as I know) go away completely. There are products out there that claim to help, but I've never tried them. Keep your diet balanced, and keep on exercising, and you should maintain (at least) your weight. I hope you never have to post to this board for obesity depression. Good luck and God bless you!

Nicole

junkbondtrader · 12-04-2003, 10:21 PM

as nicole said, you're not seriously overweight at all. i got stretch marks when i was about 12 and i was HORRIFIED and continued to be embarassed, ashamed, and absolutely hate my body for a long time. unlike you, i did become pretty seriously overweight, largely because of my body hatred and just not caring anymore because i was so depressed. and my rationalization for putting no effort into losing weight was that since i had these scars that i hated and could never talk about or let anyone see, it wasn't worth it to even try. i thought i'd hate my scarred body if i was down to 155 as much as i hated it at 235.

it breaks my heart to see a despairing upset post like yours because it is SO VERY close to home. i can tell you a few things that might make you feel better.

1) lots of people have them. lots! and it's not all about weight either, i know skinny minnies who have them too. it might feel like you're the only one, but trust me- you're not! and a lot of people don't let it bother them and hold them back. after years, i've decided that i will be one of those people. (incidently, i did lose the weight recently, and i'm starting to like my body despite the flaws and feel quite good about myself).

2) they will fade to silvery-white over time and be less visible. if you want, you can try rubbing vitamin e oil, or cocoa butter, or a shea body butter into them every day, as this may help them heal quicker and reduce their appearance.

3)if you're worried (as i was for so so long) that other people won't ever be attracted to you and you're ruined and will never have a relationship (i hope you're not, but if you're like me, it's crossed your mind), DON'T worry about it.
i've had great partners who loved me for me and who loved my body as it is- not "perfect", but in its own way beautiful.

4) you're young and i'm sure you have a ton of things going for you, please please enjoy being you. work at it, work at loving who you are and accepting your body. work at loving it, even, for all the cool things it can do, and don't let yourself be miserable like i did over something that in the overall scheme of things is so completely not a big deal.

hang in there, and if you feel you need to talk to someone about depression, a school counselor or a good friend or your mom would be a good place to start. i know how hard it can be to talk about some things, but hey, there's always the internet too. you're anonymous here, and there are lots of people who have probably been right where you are now. I wish you the best!