Writergirl

I’m really struggling with whether to have a panniculectomy. I keep hearing and reading that this isn’t a cosmetic surgery, which I understand, but does that mean I should expect a hack job? The doctor is the weight loss surgeon, not a plastic surgeon. I’m still overweight and I’m not expecting a perfect body, but the fact that I keep hearing it’s NOT cosmetic is making me wonder if I’m going to look lumpy or something afterwards. He mentioned potential “dog ears.” Any experience you can share? Would you do this? Recovery is long! I just retired and want to live my life! But I sure would love to be rid of this thing.

Last week I had breast reduction and panniculectomy surgery, which all seems to have gone well. However… I was a 42H and my surgeon promised me a DD cup. I know that I can’t really see where I’m going to end up because it’s so soon, but I look like a B or C cup, and I think it looks ridiculous on my still heavy figure. (My daughter took one look and joked that I’ll need implants!) I have hated my breasts since the day they grew in looking down at my feet, and I was SO excited to have breasts I would finally feel good about. I primarily did it because of neck and back pain, but I just can’t believe how bad I look. Added to that, now that the belly is gone my thighs look hideously misshapen. They’re floppy. I’m just so depressed. I’m trying hard to not complain to others and to also accept what can’t be changed. But I just had to share with someone. I’m never going to look “normal.”

Hi! Has anyone had a panniculectomy while still being quite overweight? I was sleeved in 2012. I was 368 lbs when I had my surgery and have maintained a 130 pound loss. In spite of trying relentlessly I was never able to get even close to my goal weight (menopause, knee replacement, etc.). But my life is about 10,000 times better!! I have lots of skin and have been approved for a breast reduction and panniculectomy, but in between those two areas I have that damn menopausal spare tire. I never had that even at 368! I tried to get a plastic surgeon to do an abdominoplasty but my BMI is too high. So I’m kind of freaking out, imagining that I’m going to have a smaller bust, no belly, but some big floppy spare tire hanging over my waist band. The surgeon doing the panniculectomy is a weight loss and general surgeon, so he’s not going to spend any time trying to make it look good. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!

Hi! Thanks for asking! I’m adjusting but it’s been emotionally difficult. I want to lose about 30 pounds, and I’m feeling held back over fear I’ll be completely flat chested by then. It’s stupid, I know. I can’t believe how much I identified as “voluptuous” from the age of 13. My shape has completely changed. On the other hand… this is the most “normal” I’ve looked in decades, and I’m starting to feel really good about that. Still dealing with swelling from the panni, but I’m starting to see light in the tunnel. And no more neck and shoulder pain!!

Thanks for your thoughts. I think you’re a lot smaller than me, so a smaller bust would look more appropriate. I would love to hear about your recovery. The breast recovery has been very easy physically. The panniculectomy is absolutely miserable. At what points did you stop draining and could walk standing straight?

So, are you saying yours looked smaller after your breasts calmed down from the surgery? I’m really afraid of that!

Thank you!

Thanks for the reassurance. I know I just have to give it time. I can’t even stand up straight yet because of the panniculectomy, so it’s hard to tell. I did a bra fitting, though, and came in at barely a C, while still swollen. My body shape has changed so drastically, from a lifelong hourglass shape to something that looks like R2D2. I feel like I want to hide when I go out. I imagine this is how women feel after mastectomies, and I’m ashamed to liken my experience to the terror they must go through. However, there are support groups for that! I chose this!! I’m trying to adjust to the new normal, but it’s going to take a long time. I said before surgery that it’s one thing to look bad, but it’s another to look weird. I wasintending to not tell people I had this done because I thought at a DD I’d just look like I lost weight. Every single person I have ever met is going to know instantly that I did this. I just want to crawl into a bag. BTW, I’m in my 60s, too! I should just let it go!

I’ll admit to being completely inexperienced when it comes to any kind of bra shopping that doesn’t involve searching for the largest size available! So now you have me kind of excited! Thank you!

You are so very right! That’s where my head needs to be right now! Thanks for the reminder!

You are so brave to have that whole body lift! You must be so happy with yourself! How in the world do you recover from that surgery with no position that isn’t painful? Honestly, my backside isn’t that bad. I would love to have it done right so I look good afterwards, but that’s not going to happen because a cosmetic surgeon won’t touch me. It is a constant source of misery for me that in spite of trying everything, I never got to a BMI below 40. I’ve kept off 130 pounds, but now I just gain and lose the same 10 pounds.

It’s a long story. My PCP gave me a referral to a breast surgeon to have breast reduction. I mentioned to the breast surgeon that I’d always thought if I did it I’d have my belly done at the same time. She said that was no problem! She works with a surgeon who does that and they can do it all in one operation. I went to see that surgeon. He told me to see a cosmetic surgeon first. Cosmetic surgeon refused to do it because my BMI is too high for elective cosmetic surgery. (8 years later, I still weigh 240.) It can be done for medical purposes, but not by a cosmetic surgeon. They all recommended I get a gastric bypass and come back. So I’m rolling that around in my head, too, but that means probably two years before I could have plastics, and I’m already 65. I just don’t know what to do. And honestly, my metabolism has been so low since I was sleeved I feel I’ll have to starve for the rest of my life just to not gain. I was tested and only burn 900 calories a day. Sigh. I’m open to all thoughts. Thanks!

Thanks! You should be so proud that you’ve kept your weight off!

Thank you! I would love to have a plastic surgeon do it, but my BMI is still 42 and they won’t touch it. She said a panniculectomy is less risky with less risk of blood clots at this size. They all recommended I get the gastric bypass, but that means another two years of approval/weight loss/weight stabilization before I could have it done. I’m already 65. I just don’t want to wait that long, nor do I want the bypass. I have constant neck and back pain and know this would help, but I don’t want to look also don’t want to look odd. I’m so torn!

Me, too!! But if insurance will pay and a plastic surgeon won’t tough me, I guess I have no choice if I want it done! Thanks!

Thanks for the encouragement! I think my body would be quite happy to gain everything back! I’m pretty much on a diet every day without ever losing anything, but it’s far better than gaining it back!

The statistics were against me. I went to the hospital completely unsure if I would have the courage to go through with my surgery, and terrified I would die. No one... I promise you, NO ONE, ever wanted to have bariatric surgery less than I. I was an emotional food addict whose life had shrunk so much that food was my entire social life. I weighed 367.8 pounds, had out of control diabetes, and could no longer walk across my own kitchen on most days. I needed both knees replaced and my doctor refused to do it until I lost a lot of weight. The night before my surgery I was alone in the house and I sobbed a funeral dirge for my best friend, food. I was certain I would lose my mind without it. My friends, are you hesitating?? Struggling? Regretting?? If you can stay with me, read on. I will tell you that after the first month there hasn't been one day in five years that I haven't thought, "I never could have done this before." My journey has been difficult, and you will have your struggles, too. The first year, I cared for and buried my beloved sister--my "person" in this world--who died in my arms. The second year, I had my right knee replaced. The third year, my left knee. My weight loss stalled, but I never gave up. The fourth year, my father died and right afterwards, my husband almost died and needed months of nursing. I didn't tell you all that to whine. I told you in order to try to put some context to my life, because in spite of all that sorrow and pain, I am filled with joy. I have taken back my life, and you can, too. When I came out of my surgery, I vowed that having taken the drastic step of altering my body, I was going to be all in. I have honored that vow. I had to learn to walk again. Now I am a landscape, wedding and portrait photographer. I had to accept that I couldn't go on vacation and eat like the old me without gaining back weight it took me months to lose. Now I usually drop a couple of pounds on vacation, and I have one thing every day that I really want. To eat, that is!! I get to have experiences instead of food now! I had to accept that carbs are not part of my daily eating. But I have learned to actually prefer zucchini spaghetti!! Most importantly, I learned that no one will ever abuse me again. And that includes me. I learned that emotional eating may feel like self care, but it is self destruction, and self destruction and self preservation can never exist side by side. Last year, I photographed the cliffs of Maine, the mountains of West Virginia (going by rope down to the waterfalls), beaches in the Carolinas, and so many other things. (Check out my stuff at mlwolfephotos.com if you are inclined!). I could babble on and on... Today, I am at my lowest weight in 34 years. I have not met my weight loss goal. I'm still just over 200 pounds--a weight many people begin this journey at!! It may take me a year, but I'll get there. On January 1st I turned 60, and I cried. A lot. I didn't cry because I was 60. I cried because I wasted so many years... My 30s... My 40s...half my 50s. I cannot get them back. But I have what's left, and I will cherish each breath. So, I lost much of my stomach. I lost 153 pounds. I gained the world. I wish that for each and every one of you! May you work to make all your dreams come true! Attaching a few pics, not just of what I look(ed) like, but of who I am!!!

I weighed 367.8. My post surgical journey included 2 knee replacements over 2 years, so for the first three years I could do very little, plus I'm older, which slowed my weight loss a lot. But I just went down to a waterfall via rope with a backpack and tripod to take pictures. So, I'm still just over 200 pounds, but I am OUT THERE!!! My life then and now are like two different lives.

Five years ago I weighed 367.8 pounds at 5'3". I was terrified of surgery, terrified of life. If you want to know what the journey from terror to triumph is like, read my posts, starting from the bottom. A few are long, but there aren't a lot. Five years out and I still fight to reach my weight goal, but my life... It's amazing. You can do it.

Five years ago I weighed 367.8 pounds at 5'3". I was terrified of surgery, terrified of life. If you want to know what the journey from terror to triumph is like, read my posts, starting from the bottom. A few are long, but there aren't a lot. Five years out and I still fight to reach my weight goal, but my life... It's amazing. You can do it.

Yes, I got angry. I believed no one really understood how hard I was always trying (I was!!! But would give up so easily!) I said I would NEVER give up carbs, that eliminating an entire food group could only be unhealthy! I said I would NEVER have surgery! The problem is that you can't tell your mom what to do because she will devote a lot of emotional energy into being in control, especially at a time where cancer has made her relinquish all other control! She has to want it for herself. All you can do is love her while you have her and try to accept that whether from cancer or her weight, you might not have her for a lot of years! Please read my post to her, and tell her that I understand. The nature of addiction is that it thrives on denial and seduces you into believing you will never, ever, be happy without it. Weight loss surgery gives you an opportunity to break free, but the addiction is always a voice inside you. I found something that gave me far more joy. I have struggled! I've gained weight here and there! I fight food longing every single day, but I am no longer motivated or rewarded by food, if that makes sense. I would make one suggestion to both of you! I suggest you offer to sign her up for this site, and ask her, out of love and respect for you, to commit to reading here every day for a set time... 3 months?? And then you could stop trying, knowing that she is well informed. And I would suggest to her that she realise there may come a day where her daughter is without a mom, and it will be a great comfort then to know that you did everything you could. My heart is with you and your mom. It's so hard. You described yourself as my mom!!!! Very similar! Wow!! I am not sure how to even go about bringing up this site though, only because I haven't told her I'm having surgery. In fact, my parents are the last people I would tell. Sad, I know. I had mentioned wls to her maybe ten years ago (before cancer) and she wouldn't have it. I think she's more afraid of my dad's opinions (and he's VERY opinionated). Imagine a woman who hates to exercise and has a food addiction married to a man for 42 years who is all about taking care of the body, exercise, etc. they're exact opposites and terrible for each other. Wow, I'm amazed I even said that. I love my parents but, well, they've got issues. Besides all of that, I think I've done enough (although not giving up) to share my concerns with my mom. She goes silent on me if I mention better eating habits or whatever. But like you said, she's got to want to do it herself. I've just been planting seeds in hopes that the idea grows in her. On another hand, I'd be amazed if she lasts through another year. so I'll enjoy my mom as much as I can. Only comfort I have is that she's got Jesus and I know she'll be in heaven when it's her time, pain free and happy, with a new body. Thank you again for your words of encouragement. It'll be something I need to pray about, letting her know about the site and my surgery as well. Have a blessed day! Oh, one of the reasons I'm having surgery is not to end up like my mom. She's always told me to not be like her, so I'm doing something of it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Yes, I can imagine that, because my husband was in the Army for 27 years. And we had a lot of issues involving control, but I took control of my own life and now he's my biggest supporter. I feel your pain... I'm sorry... Be on your own journey and just love your mom.

I'm so happy for you!! It is still my dream to be able to wear regular clothes. Still in a women's 18! But I remember how incredibly excited I was to be able to fit in clothes from Lane Bryant! At one time, there wasn't a single store I could shop in. And last fall I went shopping in Manhattan! I think I may have to get some things lopped off, but I can't stand the thought of wasting weeks recovering. I hope you find a fabulous dress!!

Yes, I got angry. I believed no one really understood how hard I was always trying (I was!!! But would give up so easily!) I said I would NEVER give up carbs, that eliminating an entire food group could only be unhealthy! I said I would NEVER have surgery! The problem is that you can't tell your mom what to do because she will devote a lot of emotional energy into being in control, especially at a time where cancer has made her relinquish all other control! She has to want it for herself. All you can do is love her while you have her and try to accept that whether from cancer or her weight, you might not have her for a lot of years! Please read my post to her, and tell her that I understand. The nature of addiction is that it thrives on denial and seduces you into believing you will never, ever, be happy without it. Weight loss surgery gives you an opportunity to break free, but the addiction is always a voice inside you. I found something that gave me far more joy. I have struggled! I've gained weight here and there! I fight food longing every single day, but I am no longer motivated or rewarded by food, if that makes sense. I would make one suggestion to both of you! I suggest you offer to sign her up for this site, and ask her, out of love and respect for you, to commit to reading here every day for a set time... 3 months?? And then you could stop trying, knowing that she is well informed. And I would suggest to her that she realise there may come a day where her daughter is without a mom, and it will be a great comfort then to know that you did everything you could. My heart is with you and your mom. It's so hard.

You can do this!! Please feel free to reach out to me! Food is an addiction for us, and when you are in the throes of your addiction you cannot imagine being truly happy without it. But I am only TRULY happy when I am not in my addiction. It will be fine! Not every minute, but overall! I'll be thinking of you!!!