stretch marks - Skin Problems Message Board

maw05 · 03-31-2005, 08:31 PM

ive noticed since i started dieting that im getting stretch marks on my lower stomach (within about 3" of my bellybutton on either side). i thought stretch marks were from gaining weight.......why would these be developing from losing weight??

i97 · 04-01-2005, 06:31 AM

How old are you? If you are above 25, stretch marks are normal. The fat on the inside is disappearing but the skin is not bouncing back normally. You have lost some skin elasticity over the years ( by age, not your fault ). its like a balloon which has been inflated for a few days and then you deflate it, its no good. Its all thin and wrinkley. The skin is too big and does not get back. The connective tissue is pulling it to your body however, and at certain places its close to your body and at others its not making the strech effects. Give it some time and try loosing weight healthy at 1-3 lbs per week. They will go away eventually. Good Luck.

i97

Lenin · 04-01-2005, 07:33 AM

maw,
You GOT the stretch marks from gaining weight as the skin tore slowly to accomodate the bigger belly. Stretch marks are the healing scars as the body patches this up. When chubby you didn't notice them so much.
But as i97 says, you see them now because you've deflated the balloon.

There is no cure but some people claim fair results with daily Vitamin E rubbed onto each scar (poke a capsule with a pin and that provides enough for a couple days!)

I got some on my keyser from growing 8 inches in a year as a bone thin pre-teen...they've been with me for decades and will be with me in my coffin! Just part of "growing up?"

FrogGurl · 04-01-2005, 04:09 PM

Maw-

I too now have stretch marks that have appeared since I started working out back in August, and I was just as freaked out because I thought, "I'm doing all this working out and I'm GETTING stretch marks??" It didn't make any sense to me! Then, just like they are saying, they can appear when you are losing weight. That also scared me because I thought "Oh my gosh, I must have really gained a lot of weight to be having all of these appear on me." I also have them on my abdomen and my hips and thighs, so I now look at is as a good thing. Means I am losing inches, WOOHOO! They ARE getting less noticible as I keep losing too, so try not to worry.

FrogGurl

jazzyE · 04-02-2005, 12:05 AM

You don't only get stretch marks from gaining weight. You can also get them when you lose weight. Especially if you lose a lot of weight or lose it quickly.