Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm ashamed to say that I put on so much weight in a short amount of time because of comfort eating that it's left me with horrific stretch marks. They're everywhere and I'm not exaggerating. I have them from my arm pit down on each side, all over my top arm, on my elbow joint going down into my wrist, all over my stomach, on the sides next to my man boobs, on my back below my shoulder blades, all over my thighs and behind my knees. I hate them, yet it's all my own fault. I feel ugly looking at them or feeling them, they make my skin so uneven. Usually I can disassociate from the body reflection in the mirror but I can't hide from the stretch marks. I won't even wear a t shirt because they're so bad. I feel ugly, get upset and then comfort eat again. It's a vicious circle. Everyone is calling me fat and telling me how much weight I've put on, as if I'm not aware of it. Do any of you know anything that helps get rid of them? Also, if any of you have previously had stretch marks then top surgery, what happened? Did it look odd?

Cocoa butter can help make them look less obvious. I kinda like my stretch marks. I've had them since I was little (age 10-ish) and was shamed for them. My dad thought I was cutting myself at that age or somehow getting cuts on my legs and arms. I grew up with them, and I don't think they're anything bad. I have then on the inside of my upper arms, a few inches above my elbow joint to my armpit. I have them on my chest, which I questioned what I might look like if I get top surgery. They're all over my lower back, stomach, thighs, and behind my knees.

Yeah Cocoa butter can help shrink them some.  I've had stretch marks all over me since grade school.  I know of a guy who said he had giant breasts with stretch marks before top surgery and then afterwards, his chest looked amazing.  The stretchmarks were still there but I only noticed becaused he pointed them out.

Don't feel bad Joey, and don't be ashamed, the "ugly" things about us show that we're alive. I think everyone has some stretch marks. I've never had a weight problem, but I have big long purplish ones on my inner thighs and some wee little ones on my moobs. I've heard cocoa butter helps like Nygeel and Malachite mentioned though I've never used it, there's also this stuff that's marketed for post-birth mothers that I hear helps (I can't think of the name, but I've seen it in pharmacies), it probably has cocoa butter in it. And, if you ever have lots of dough one day, I think there's this machine thing dermatologist use to help get rid of them, have no idea how effective it is though.

Just try to break your cycle man, we're all here to support you.  :)

I have some bad ones on my thighs for the same reason and personally for me, cocoa butter only helped some of them. I'm interested to see the other answers the guys have.

You're getting good advice here, but you should come up with a solution. Have you tried keeping a journal of everything you eat and drink? Sometimes that makes a problem area easier to spot.

Dude I've been comfort eating too and gained probably 50 or more pounds and I'm horrified by what I've let happen to my body. I have disgusting stretch marks on my stomach, tons of them rippling out from like my belly button. I'm scared I'll never look the same again. I used to be thin. I'm afraid I'll never look the same without surgery or something. I try to start exercising and I have no energy. I don't know what to do.

I've always struggled with stretch marks on my thighs, butt, knees and some other places because I grew so fast as a kid to giant size. I've been able to deal with those, but my stomach, so obvious like that, I hate it so much.

I had them on my hips and above my butt. they faded with time to the point where they're no longer visible unless you are looking for them.

I have had the same experience as anibioman. I got some stretch marks when I gained weight, and a few remain, but the majority faded and I imagine the others will in time. I used to have really noticeable ones on my (ugh) boobs, but now they are completely gone.

I don't really have any except on my thighs and they have mostly faded. Tell me if I'm wrong, but aren't stretch marks pretty much the same composition as scars? Because vitamin E lotion works wonders on breaking down scar tissue and lessening the appearance of scars. If Stretch marks are pretty much the same stuff, vitamin E lotion might help.

I had some above my breasts from puberty. They're still there after top surgery (possibly because they were above the breasts, not on them) but are very faded. They don't stand out or anything. You have to look for them. In fact I forgot they were there until I saw this thread and looked.  :laugh:

I have a few on my gut from weight gain, but you have to look for those too. How long ago did you gain the weight? They should fade in time. I didn't put anything on mine, though I suppose it could help.

You could try Mederma Stretch Mark Cream. I've used it on my stretch marks and have managed to fade them in a few spots with it. I've also used coca butter and it helps a lot. As long as you catch them early, the creams will work great but once they've been there for long enough there isn't much you can do about them. Drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated will keep your skin elastic and help prevent you from getting new ones too.

I have pretty bad stretch marks all around my thighs and hips. I got them when I was put on medication that had the side effect of being an appetite suppressant so I only weighed a sickly 90 pounds then when I was taken off the medication my weight went back up to normal too quickly. I'm thankful that most of mine can be covered by shorts but I've never minded them much anyway. I have some that kind of poke up just above the waist of my pants and have always secretly thought they look cool.

I have some on each side of my chest so it's nice to see guys say their top surgery results were good regardless of them.

I wonder if it is easier for people FAAB to get stretch marks than cis males? I think it probably is.

Once you lose weight I've always heard they fade. The guys have given good advice with cocoa butter and Mederma. I can't think of much else that can be done about them.

Oh yeah, natal males get stretch marks too.  Maybe a little less common, because stretch marks are often associated with pregnancy.

Lifters using anabolic steroids often get stretch marks.  They come from the skin not being able to catch up with the growth of the body part(s).

Quote from: Jamie D on May 30, 2013, 03:43:41 PM
Oh yeah, natal males get stretch marks too.  Maybe a little less common, because stretch marks are often associated with pregnancy.

Lifters using anabolic steroids often get stretch marks.  They come from the skin not being bale to catch up with the growth of the body part(s).

Yep. Anyone who gains weight gets them. I've seen tons of cisguys with them.
I'm a little disappointed with the ones on my gut since I had the smoothest, nicest stomach before I gained a bunch of weight. Now my gut's no longer pretty.  :laugh:

Wow guys, thanks for such quick replies. I'm glad I'm not the only guy who has them bad. My rapid weight gain has been the past 6 months. I know it's what I eat and I eat bad, that's the issue. It's comfort eating. Nothing else makes me feel better so I eat, which obviously isn't good. I will try the products you all mentioned, cheers

For what it is worth, my son is covered in stretch marks from muscle gain. don't be too ashamed of them.He isn't and actually uses them as bragging points at times.

I understand how you feel, Joey. I started going through my "first" (hopefully not last) puberty when I was nine, and to this day, I still have ridiculaously dark stretch marks along my hips because they grew so fast.
I don't really think they're all that bad, although they are certainly annoying. The reason I'm not too upset with them is because stretch marks occur when your skin isn't growing at the same rate as your body, and because that happens to everyone, technically everyone should have stretch marks. If you have skin, it's not really avoidable.
I can't say anything about cocoa butter, to be honest. I've never used it long enough to see any improvements.
But, I do know that fresh, concentrated parsley oil does kinda help with stretch marks, as well as pimples (I literally had acne all over my face and arms, and within one day of using it, almost all of them went away), weird skin shades, and more stuff like that. i can't guarrantee it, because the kind I found was handmade by some guy in africa, and he doesn't list all of his ingredients. But I'm sure it'll do something for stretchmarks.

You know, a lot of adults have stretch marks. Even the ones who have been fit for a majority of their lives. If it makes you that uncomfortable then lotion everyday is your best bet.

Treating stretch marks as soon as they appear is your best bet at beating them. So slather on some cocoa butter twice a day, and maybe even pick up some Bio Oil if it's not too much. :)

Unfortunately, as skinny as I am, I have them going from the back of my hips and stretching across my butt (I have basically no hips and a fairly small butt, so obviously this is frustrating). Because of my insane dysphoria, I NEVER looked at my body, in a mirror or otherwise, so I never noticed them when they must have developed in puberty, and now it's too late in the game to treat them. :/

If you're really willing to be proactive about this, try going on a diet. Start out by cutting out sugars. You'll lose a lot of weight just from that (my skinny self lost 10lbs in high school just from cutting sodas out of my diet, and I didn't even drink too much soda). Green tea that you make yourself is a GREAT way to help lose weight as well and also helps your skin. :) But the bottled stuff has a LOT of sugar in it. You need to use the actual tea bags. You can even add honey to it to make it sweeter. Use that to get over any sugar cravings you may have (also, once you start cutting out sugar, you'll crave it less and less, and will be more drawn to "real" foods).

Also, cocoa butter helps make the skin tighter while you're losing weight, so loose skin doesn't become too much of a problem, even with faster weight loss. ;) Win/win.

Nipping this in the butt now is your best option, so hopefully you'll be able to do something about it! And even if they don't completely go away, they will fade over time, and become less noticeable over the years (although obviously addressing your eating habits and dropping the weight is necessary to keep from developing more). I don't know when mine showed up, but they're almost the same colour as my pale skin now, so they're not so in your face, and they're easier to overcome when looking in the mirror.

I have so many stretch marks it isn't even funny; my entire abdomen is completely wrecked due to a twin pregnancy. :(

Cocoa butter only helps when the marks are just starting to appear, but it can't do much to help them after they've happened. But the best product to use is (as D0LL said) good ol' South African 'Bio Oil'. It really does help, but you have to use it every day until they fade. It's for sale all over the UK, but here's the link to the product at Tesco as an example so you'll know what to look for: http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=261499499 (http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=261499499)

But yeah, over time they fade into fine silvery lines that you can only really see if you get a tan.

Agreeing with everyone who said Bio Oil.

It's been rated the best product to deal with stretch marks and scarring in a number of trials. I have a lot of both and have used Bio Oil for about a year now with significant reduction in both size and color pigmentation.

Because it's an oil it goes surprisingly far so even though a bottle seems expensive it actually lasts a lot longer than you might think.

Quote from: D0LL on May 31, 2013, 11:00:20 AM

Also, cocoa butter helps make the skin tighter while you're losing weight, so loose skin doesn't become too much of a problem, even with faster weight loss. ;) Win/win.

Really? Never heard of this. I'm starting to drop weight just because I stopped drinking and kinda concerned. I'm not really big anywhere but my gut but it's huge and I don't want a bunch of skin hanging there.
I can't really control the rate of weight loss since most of my calories came from heavy drinking.

Quote from: Jamie D on May 30, 2013, 03:43:41 PM
Oh yeah, natal males get stretch marks too.  Maybe a little less common, because stretch marks are often associated with pregnancy.

Lifters using anabolic steroids often get stretch marks.  They come from the skin not being bale to catch up with the growth of the body part(s).

My MTF wife can attest to that. She gained quite a bit of weight after her first marriage ended and the military being "done" with her services. She has "claw marks" that go straight up and down her belly. Once she started losing the extra baggage, the lines lightened but the dents are still there.

Anyway, hydrating yourself can really help. I've not seen improvements on my "tiger stripes" by using cocoa butter but losing weight and hydrating myself really helped.

I like this topic because I feel like nobody ever talks about stretch marks.  Or that the only people that get them are pregnant ladies.

I have them on my upper arms and I feel uncomfortable if I'm not wearing long sleeves outside. Or when my blood is being drawn...

I went from 130 pounds to 160 within two months. In short, I was stuffing my face because of depression. I now battle with food addiction and comfort eating every single day.

As a result I have stretch marks on my thighs, my hips, and my breasts. I was absolutely horrified of them when they first started showing on my thighs but have since stopped caring because it's too depressing to think about them.

Lots of men get stretch marks from being overweight or doing too much bulking too fast. Once I do finally manage to lose the 80+ pounds I've gained since my first serious weight gain my story is that I was once fat, but now I'm healthy and I have the marks to remind me that I never want to be that way again.

I am also a heavy drinker. I'm borderline alcoholic because it's a way to deal with the stuff I don't like in my life but feel powerless to change.

Quote from: randomroads on May 31, 2013, 11:12:40 PM
I now battle with food addiction and comfort eating every single day.

I am also a heavy drinker. I'm borderline alcoholic because it's a way to deal with the stuff I don't like in my life but feel powerless to change.

Ohhh, be careful with T. Gives me the Moo Moo Munchies bad. I've resorted to just keeping junk out of the house. If it's not here I can't eat it.

I drink a few Miller Lite's a few times a week but try to limit it.

Gotta get rid of that self defeatist attitude. You are transitioning now. You do have the power to change and you are.  :)

My first two shots I was ravenous. I literally ate my pantry dry and still wanted more. Right now I'm forcing myself to eat three meals a day with a snack between lunch and dinner. That's the healthy thing to do, but my brain and stomach don't like it!

It's been brought up and I will confirm -  I have stretch marks across my chest and shoulders from gaining 40 lbs of muscle in a year. The most that has ever happened is that my buddy touched them (I was in the gym with a muscle shirt on or else he wouldnt have noticed)  and said "whats that" I just said"stretch marks from getting big to quickly" he just shrugged, put his headphones back on and continued his work out.

So moral of the story - stretch marks dont have to be dysphoric, guys get them and guys also tend not to care too much about what another guy's body looks like.

People can get stretch marks for a variety of reasons.  I've been underweight my whole life, and I have stretch marks.  They're on the backs of my legs, just below my knees.  I can only guess I got them from growing too fast during puberty.  They're light and really not noticeable unless you're looking for them, so yours should fade over time as well. 

Also, I've heard plenty of people talk about having stretch marks, both guys and girls.  I actually hadn't ever heard of it being an exclusively or predominantly pregnant lady thing.  It isn't, so don't worry about that.

Losing weight actually seems to create more stretch marks than get rid of them...

I have way more obvious stretch marks around my middle after losing 50 lbs than I did before.

I try to think of them as progress marks.

Quote from: spacerace on June 01, 2013, 12:10:24 PM
Losing weight actually seems to create more stretch marks than get rid of them...

I have way more obvious stretch marks around my middle after losing 50 lbs than I did before.

I try to think of them as progress marks.

Good to know as my gut is going down rapidly since I gave up alcohol.

So cocoa butter and bio oil? Or biotin oil?

Quote from: girl you look fierce on May 30, 2013, 09:40:38 PM
I think it also much better for your skin to lose weight slowly, I lost it too fast maybe.

this is such a myth like the hair shaving thing i wouldn't be worried

Quote from: spacerace on June 01, 2013, 12:10:24 PM
Losing weight actually seems to create more stretch marks than get rid of them...

I have way more obvious stretch marks around my middle after losing 50 lbs than I did before.

I try to think of them as progress marks.

That just blows. My wife has no problems with the lightening of her stretch marks by losing weight but now this has me concerned for me. I balloned up over some BC that I had for awhile (plus sedentary lifestyle and depression) so I've got quite a few, not just on my thighs either. I can't win. *headdesk*

You can't dwell on the loose skin and stretch marks.  There are so, so many more benefits to losing weight - especially for trans guys.  Passing is so much easier with less weight, surgery will have better results, etc.  Plus the health benefits of course.  People that lose weight while starting T seem to have fantastic results, especially in combination with starting a workout routine that includes some sort of strength training.

I think losing weight brings out the stretch marks more because the skin is no longer pulled taut, so the marks are condensed and more obvious.   

Quote from: spacerace on June 02, 2013, 05:02:53 PM
You can't dwell on the loose skin and stretch marks.  There are so, so many more benefits to losing weight - especially for trans guys.  Passing is so much easier with less weight, surgery will have better results, etc.  Plus the health benefits of course.  People that lose weight while starting T seem to have fantastic results, especially in combination with starting a workout routine that includes some sort of strength training.

I think losing weight brings out the stretch marks more because the skin is no longer pulled taut, so the marks are condensed and more obvious.

Oh so you think losing weight doesn't actually cause them? Doesn't seem to make sense that it would - I mean the skin is already stretched from weight gain.

Quote from: Not-so Fat Admin on June 02, 2013, 05:41:59 PM
Oh so you think losing weight doesn't actually cause them? Doesn't seem to make sense that it would - I mean the skin is already stretched from weight gain.

Right.  They are there already from the stretching caused by adding on pounds, but once the weight is gone the skin is back to being pushed together, so they are fully revealed and darker.

I went from 230 to being at 180 right now, so my skin was/is really stretched out - hence my stomach looks like a zebra.  I expect to see a lot more as I (hopefully!)  drop the next set of weight. Oh well.

Quote from: spacerace on June 02, 2013, 05:51:29 PM

Quote from: Not-so Fat Admin on June 02, 2013, 05:41:59 PM
Oh so you think losing weight doesn't actually cause them? Doesn't seem to make sense that it would - I mean the skin is already stretched from weight gain.

Right.  They are there already from the stretching caused by adding on pounds, but once the weight is gone the skin is back to being pushed together, so they are fully revealed and darker.

I went from 230 to being at 180 right now, so my skin was/is really stretched out - hence my stomach looks like a zebra.  I expect to see a lot more as I (hopefully!)  drop the next set of weight. Oh well.

Ah ok. Thanks for the info. Congrats on your weight loss and good luck with the next set!

Quote from: spacerace on June 02, 2013, 05:02:53 PM
You can't dwell on the loose skin and stretch marks.  There are so, so many more benefits to losing weight - especially for trans guys.  Passing is so much easier with less weight, surgery will have better results, etc.  Plus the health benefits of course.  People that lose weight while starting T seem to have fantastic results, especially in combination with starting a workout routine that includes some sort of strength training.

I think losing weight brings out the stretch marks more because the skin is no longer pulled taut, so the marks are condensed and more obvious.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't think it was all bad news. I really want to drop weight anyway, at least so I don't look like I'm pregnant. (Seriously, I look weird because most of my weight is situated in my gut.) It would probably benefit me either way. I also want to work on building muscles since I don't want to be scrawny. Would you say it's easier to shed weight when on T than without T?

Katt Williams talking about stretch marks :laugh:
Katt Williams Pimp Chronicles pt 1: Stretch Marks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj5-71ziM5c#)

Quote from: wolfduality on June 03, 2013, 07:42:28 PM
Would you say it's easier to shed weight when on T than without T?

I think everyone is different, and it can go either way. T can change your appetite levels and make you ravenous like any other male going through puberty. It can make you seem a bit bloated, so someone may feel like they are gaining weight.  But, it can make you have more energy and confidence, and you may be more inclined to work out, so that can help.   

I will say that wanting to have a smooth transition was a huge motivator to me finally conquering my inherent laziness to lose some weight after years of half-efforts.

Quote from: spacerace on June 06, 2013, 03:15:26 PM
I think everyone is different, and it can go either way. T can change your appetite levels and make you ravenous like any other male going through puberty. It can make you seem a bit bloated, so someone may feel like they are gaining weight.  But, it can make you have more energy and confidence, and you may be more inclined to work out, so that can help.   

I will say that wanting to have a smooth transition was a huge motivator to me finally conquering my inherent laziness to lose some weight after years of half-efforts.

I can see that. A part of me really wants to drop at least a little weight before starting T, but I'm just lazy. It doesn't help that I feel like ->-bleeped-<- about my body, not just about the weight issue, but just in general. So the side effects kinda balance one another out? More or less?

Sorry, I'm a little inexperienced with hormones. I do know the basics but I've never been on any hormones for any reason so this is the greenhorn in me talking.

Quote from: wolfduality on June 06, 2013, 05:07:54 PM
I can see that. A part of me really wants to drop at least a little weight before starting T, but I'm just lazy. It doesn't help that I feel like ->-bleeped-<- about my body, not just about the weight issue, but just in general. So the side effects kinda balance one another out? More or less?

Sorry, I'm a little inexperienced with hormones. I do know the basics but I've never been on any hormones for any reason so this is the greenhorn in me talking.

No need to apologize for asking questions.  Ask away, people on this forum with are really helpful, and many of them know a ton and have lots of experience. More than me for sure, so you are not alone.

As for T and weight loss - T can influence it, but it doesn't change the approach you have to take. Losing weight is the same before or after hormones.