Hi everyone.  I have been trying to get started on Alli for about a month now, but everytime I feel like I am ready, I psych myself out.  I am carrying about 97 extra pounds, and I always worry about what my skin is going to look like after.  I already have stretch marks from my calves to my shoulders, so the skin is obviously damaged.  I am worried that weight loss will just make it worse.  Then I tell myself why work so hard to get the weight off if you are still going to be disgusted when you look in the mirror.  Then I give up and eat.  If anyone has gone through something similar, any advice would be appreciated.   

I had similar concerns when I started. I've lost 71 lbs so far and while I have some loose skin it's not awful and is slowly tightening up. I did a Google search about weight loss and excess skin many months ago. Found out some great information that really helped me put things in focus. Slow weight loss, 1 - 2 lbs a week, can help reduce the excess skin problem. Building muscles helps fill in some of the skin, too, so you have less "hanging". Keep yourself hydrated! Your skin is resilient but may never look "perfect" after losing a lot of weight but losing the weight is more important!

Hope this helps some. :)

 This is something I've thought about also. And for that reason, I've decided not to lose all the weight to put me in a "normal" weight range.

I've decide that 170lbs is good enough. I remember what I looked like at that weight and I got tons of compliments and felt really good about myself.

I'm not going to go below that because I have seen what happens to some people after huge amounts of weight loss. I've known two people that has happened to after they lost over 100lbs.

I just want to feel really good about myself.

 Thank you so much for your reply.  I had such horrible images in my head from weight loss tv shows and I was letting it get in the way.  It is nice to get some reassurance from someone who has lost a lot (congrats by the way!) and says it isnt a big deal.

 Hi,

Although I know that weight loss is going to be healthy for me in the long run, I often worry about how much extra "skin" will be left over from shredding that much weight. Currently, I'm 214 lbs., in order to get to my goal weight of 125-130 lbs., I'll need to lose b/t 85-90 lbs. I've also been exercising (on the treadmil) regularly and also have been incorporating weight training with the walking. From things that I've read, people who exercise and/or lift weights while trying to lose weight often have less loose skin. I've also heard that it depends on your age and genetics as well. Anyway, I'd rather be 125-130 lbs. with a little extra skin than 214 lbs. any day.

 HEY IM GET IT THIS WEEKEND AND NEED ALOT OF SUPPORT IM KNEW TO THIS HOW LOKN DID IT TAKE U TO LOOSE THE WEIGHT CONGRATS....

It took me 13 months to reach my 70 lbs gone goal. :) I'm still losing a little bit as I continue to tone up my body but it probably won't be much more.