Hi everyone.
Havent been on in a couple weeks, but for an update first, I was 218 the last time I posted, I am now 211 and ive been going to the gym mon-fri for the past 3 weeks...BUT..TODAY, i was looking in the mirrow (nekkid) and noticed that my inner thighs are discolored (brownish) and also have looser skin in the thighs (upper thigh close to crotch area)....the brownish discoloration is the thing that bothers me most!! (and it feels as though I have a blister from my thighs rubbing together, though this isnt the first time I have felt the irritation, its not constant, just hate it) Is this going to go away?(the discoloration)
Cause on top of my weight , now I have this to be self concious about (intimacy)...but my weight issue is getting much better..I feel much better about myself.
And instead of a size 24 I am now a size 18 and hopefully I will soon be under 200 pds...
How is everyone doing???
Thanks in advance for your replies!!

AND ABOUT THE LOOSE SKIN AGAIN,
ive watched tlc and have seen many surgeries on the cutting off of the loose skin, and that is a big worry of mine, with my lower abdomen, Ive had a child 4 years ago and my lower belly sags, but I wonder as lose more weight will this get smaller, because if it gets smaller, I think I can deal with a little lap of skin

hugs..
brandi

hi brandi,

I too worry about this. I was told to drink lots of water and keep up with my supplements and vitamin E.

I don't have any advice for you at all. Sorry, maybe your doc can help you with the skin discoloration? I would assume it will go away on its own eventually. I know not a great answer!

Ussklingon,
The discoloration you speak of is called acanthosis nigricans. Acanthosis nigricans is very common in people with hyperinsulinemia (such as the morbidly obese).

This happens when insulin levels are so high that the hormone "spills" over to the skin, whereby it triggers growth abnormalities. The high insulin levels makes the skin thick, yellow-brown, and velvety/papery feeling. The acanthosis nigricans will appear wherever there is a fold of skin, especially where one tends to store fat.

Now that you aren't eating all those refined carbs, your insulin levels should be coming down to a normal level. Over time, the AN will fade out some and get better, but I don't think it will ever go away.

I used to have it all over, but now I only have it in the places where it was really bad (inside of my thighs, crease of my stomach, under my arms) and it is definitely lighter. So, just keep on with the LC diet, keep on avoiding lots of carbs, and this should get better for you.

I have that issue as well with the skin discoloration, Im glad to know it will lighten up, Im worried that I will never feel comfortable in shorts again. I had no idea there was a name for the skin discoloration, and i thought that my thighs touching each other was the reason for it. Ive learned something new today!