Is the weight loss proportionate after surgery?

I was wondering is the weight loss proportionate after surgery?

Unlike some at my current size of 5’0” and 308 pounds, I pretty much carry excess

pounds everywhere.  While my weight gain in the past 5 years has been primarily in

my belly, I want to lose weight everywhere.  My upper arms measure 21”, my thighs

are 35”, my calfs are 28”.   Will these measurements go down also after WLS?

If not, what can be done.

Also I have other body image issues I would like corrected.  I’ve been somewhat obese

since graduating from highschool.  After 2 pregnancies and gaining nearly 50 pounds

after my last 9 years ago my waist has ballooned to 58” and my belly overhangs nearly ¼ of the way to my knees causing frequent skin irritations.  Also I’ve always had larger breasts

and currently wear a 54DD in bra size, in recent years this has seem to put additional strain on my back and also have skin irritation underneath them.  Will these issues be corrected through WLS or is there something else that can be done?

I am taller than you but started heavier too.  I carried my weight pretty evenly distributed.

I have lost 60some so far and it has been pretty even so far.  My face, neck, and boobs were the most noticeable at first, followed by arms, belly, and hip/thigh areas.  My bra went from a 44H/I to a 40G (when I was younger an in the 250s I was a 40DD - so I think having 2 kids has made my boobs bigger than before, but they are shrinking).  If the little pic is you - I would guess that you are wearing the wrong size bra to begin with...so if you get fitted and end up in a smaller band but bigger cup - don't be discouraged - proper fit is more important than the letter/number combo!

Losing weight will help your breast size, they may be saggy, but the size should drop.  Good bras will help.  Breast reduction/lift/implant surgeries seem common after WLS - but I wouldn't worry about that until you get to a healthier weight.   I probably won't need/want a reduction after I lose the weight - I am OK with Ds - but I may look into getting a lift someday.

You may not lose evenly, but there is no way you would lose all the belly fat and keep all the arm & leg fat...some will have to go too.  The belly overhang will lose fat, but your skin may not rebound all the way.  There are plastic surgeries that can remove the "apron" skin, arm skin, leg skin, and fix breast issues.  Depending on your insurance and health issues - skin surgery may be something insurance would cover after your weight loss.

My pant size has gone from a 28 to a 22 now, tops went from 3x to 2x so far. 

I was most shocked by the change in my upper arms. 

To me, I don't see a change in my legs when I am naked, but I can totally tell in pants.  My belly has gotten less full - and the skin sag has already started there.  I think wearing spanx or support underwear is in my future if I want pants to fit nicely with my belly skin and sagging apron.

I suggest seeing a counselor to discuss any body image issues you have.  The WLS surgery is to make you healthier.  It does not guarantee that you will like how you look - does not guarantee a bikini body - but it will help you be healthier and more active so you can work on your appearance too.  Right now I look at my loose skin and saggy breasts and see the success...they used to be inflated by fat - so seeing them saggy is a good thing!

Good luck!  This surgery has been a life-changer for me and I hope it will be for you too!

Here is my 2 month post-op comparison at 340ish and at 286 (down about 55 total).  I still have 100 pounds to go.

Generally, when one loses weight, one loses weight from all over.  :D  I have read on the boards that post-surgery weight loss can be a bit like a melting candle--you appear to lose weight from the top down.  I think that might be more of an optical illusion though since people don't generally carry a lot of fat in the upper part of their bodies--most of it is in the belly and lower--so it looks like you're losing more up top than you are on the bottom.  

I've found that I'm generally staying proportional.  I'm a pear-shaped person, so I have a lot of junk in the trunk along with big thighs, so my top has always been a bit smaller than my bottom and that's not really changing.  I did take my measurements before surgery and I'm just about due to check them again.  I bet if you take yours, you'll see that you're losing from all over as you progress.  :D

Jen