Writergirl

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!

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.”

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!

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.

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!