I'm 100 pounds into a 300-pound weight loss adventure, and I'm having the same problem everyone who's ever lost a large amount of weight has struggled with: excess skin. Instead of a spare tire around my middle, I have two floppy inner tubes separated by a waist. Above my belly button, I have lumpy cottage cheese skin that's not a problem other than appearance (which doesn't bother me yet and is easily fixed with shapewear) and frequent yeast infections in my belly button (which is easily fixed with antifungal cream). My lower apron, though, is really heavy, and since I'm still over 350, it's still an actual, full fat roll. It hangs down between panniculus level 1 and level 2, so not extreme yet. I think the problem is more the weight than the size.

My question is, how do the rest of you ladies find comfortable underwear once the loose skin starts to become an issue? For years I've been wearing Just My Size cotton briefs, but the ones I have now are so stretched out they don't fit properly and they're so threadbare I've had to throw some out. I guess they've changed their patterns and their material, though, because the new ones I've bought do not fit properly and the material doesn't have any "give" to it at all. I've tried my usual size, a larger size, and a smaller size, and none of them fit comfortably. I want something that tucks under my tummy pooch, because I recently got an office job and now spend a large part of my day sitting in a chair with my apron spread across my lap, and here in Missouri where the humidity is already 95% and the heat index is "only" 100 degrees Fahrenheit, having heavy bare skin laying against another layer of bare skin is even less comfortable than it sounds. Plus, the crotch is too short and narrow, which is a different kind of uncomfortable, and the leg elastic stretching across my belly is itchy and irritating and makes my stomach bunch up in weird lumps. (I haven't started wearing lower shapewear yet but in this heat, shapewear isn't really an option.) I've also tried Hanes and Woman Within, but had a similar fit issue.

I don't care what it looks like as long as it fits comfortably. I usually dress casually in jeans, so they don't have to be seamless or non-clingy or anything, but I do need something that's easy to move around in, do light exercise in, and sit in (my days are varied and I usually don't have an opportunity to change my underwear between activities). I tried boy shorts a few years ago but otherwise I usually wear briefs. Any ideas?

Thanks!

I finally got the Comfort Choice cooling boxer briefs I ordered from Woman Within. I can see why guys like boxers! These are really cool and open and comfortable. I imagine they'd be great for lounging or sleeping in. But for everyday use, they just seem a little TOO open for someone with lady parts, if you know what I mean. So I'm still searching for that perfect pair of briefs. I still wear anywhere from a size 26 to a size 32, depending on the shape and style. (Annoyingly, my waist is about a 22/24 but because I still have a gut, my hips are probably two sizes bigger. In order for my pants to be big enough to sit down in comfortably, they practically fall off when I sit down. I gave in and got my old elastic-waist stretch jeans back out since I have a sit-down job now. I just keep telling myself this won't last forever!)

I have finally found the Holy Grail of plus size underwear! Well, at least as far as comfort is concerned. They're not the prettiest lingerie I've ever seen, but I'm the only one who's looking at my underwear at the moment and I don't care how it looks as long as it does its job.

Anyway, I'm now wearing Catherines cotton panties, item #41598 from their website. They're cotton, they're comfortable, the leg holes are on my actual legs where they belong, and since everything is covered, I don't have skin rubbing together and that nasty, slippery, sweaty chafing has stopped. They were a little baggy in the back when I first got them, but after one washing they shrunk up a bit to where they're more like panties than a cotton diaper. (I did get one size larger than I normally wear, to make sure the leg holes were big enough, and I'm glad I did because now that I've washed and dried them they fit perfectly.) I also liked Bali's skimp skamp briefs, but they didn't have cotton ones in my size, and the microfiber ones are silky like nylon and offer no sweat protection at all. They're nice if you need slick underwear for whatever reason, though. (I wear them under skirts--no static cling.) I'm also back in my real jeans now that I can sit comfortably, and back on the treadmill.

During my online shopping, I saw dozens of reviewers who had the same problem I did with leg holes cut too large, crotches too short, the front not being roomy enough to accommodate a belly without pulling the waistband down, and the material not having enough "give" to it. I'm glad I'm not the only one, and I hope manufacturers will listen to their shoppers' complaints.

When I was pregnant with my last baby, I bought ula popken brand called ooh la la or something like that. Great briefs and boxers. Loved them. When my under belly under my panni starts to get sticky and sweaty and rub ugh hate that! I use Gold bond medicated powder. I throw it all up in there and in my thigh creases and it's instant heaven! I totally recommend it, but OMG do not EVER get it in the crotch of your panties and put them on! It burns so bad!????????

On 6/16/2015 at 5:35 AM, jane13 said:

I have a hubby who like to buy me panties. That's okay but he likes the way they look (lacey, frilly, satiny, etc) and he buys the size I was wearing, 9. The problem is they all don't fit the same. He bought boyshorts and I actually liked them but some tend to roll down. We recently moved and I have probably 50 pairs of panties and I have started wearing them and if they give me one reason to hit the trash can - they go! I tried the non-roll labeled ones and still no good. The below the belly roll makes them slide <argh> and then because of the WLS they have started to roll all the way down!

I prefer the cotton ones for comfort and coolness here in the tropical humid NE Florida area

I finally found some that work for me. I bought the Hanes men's long leg boxer briefs with banded leg openings and they fit well, don't ride up and can be tucked under our apron. Available at Walmart online. I wear a 32 and bought men's 3XL. Good Luck ?

Edited August 22, 20178 yr by NanaABC

Glad you found something. I've been using Lane Bryant undies, and loved that I could buy them based on my pant size, rather than the traditional sizes of Hanes/Fruit of Loom, etc...I found a pair I liked and bought 14 of them! Guess, as I lose more, I'll need to start the search once again. Jotted down some of the ones mentioned above.

Ladies, I noticed that this is an old thread, but I'm hoping somehow, someone who can help me will see this ... I weigh 344 lbs. & my problem is a very heavy hanging stomach, that pulls the crotch of my underwear down between the middle of my inner thighs. It is not just loose hanging skin, but a full meaty stomach. Are there any underwear out there that are big enough that my stomach won't pull them down to the middle of my thighs? I've tried finding a stomach supporter/lifter, but I can't find one large enough that will actually go all the way underneath my stomach to support & lift it up a little. Any help will be greatly appreciated. ? ❤️

Have you tried spanx? Possibly order them online if unavailable in your size in store

Have you had weight loss surgery yet?

Hi Sherri. Thanks for responding. No, I haven't had weight loss surgery, because of my health & my age, I'm not really eligible for it. I also haven't tried Spanx, because from what I understand, they don't make them large enough for me.

You can look on amazon for surgical binders which usually are very thin & possibly try that.

I just checked on the Spanx, & they do not make them large enough for me. ?

I have looked on Amazon for stomach support/lifters, & not found exactly what I need, but I have not looked under surgical binders. I will try that, & see what comes up. Thanks. ?

I just looked on amazon they have spanx tummy control for women in a 3 x , check them out . From what I understand they are excellent.

Have you consulted a dr about gastric bypass?

Thank you, but a 3x is not large enough for me. The appt. with the doctor is in the making.