Thicker Waist Post Op Rant
Arrgh. I can't button my size 10 pants that I wore pre LBL. I've been wearing mostly active wear with elastic waistbands since my December surgery. I'm not swollen. I haven't gained any weight. But my waistline is very different post tummy tuck. My 'new' butt and thighs fit fine - work pants feel loose in fact. I just can't button my pants. My waist is too big. Has this happened to anyone else? I needed to rant cause I can't get into my work pants. Deb
Amy Farrah Fowler
on 6/7/10 4:21 am
on 6/7/10 4:21 am
What type of TT did you get? I have noticed that some with just the horizontal incision, or even the lower body lift, have a muffin top, or just the appearance of a larger waist, but figured it was because the lower area was snugged up, and it was just less contrast.
Any chance you had anchor tt? Have you asked the surgeon if this is normal? Also, I haven't had mine yet, but have read many many times here, that the swelling can go on for many months, even a year, particularly with tt's. If you're not still using a compression garment, it might be worth using something similar to help squash out any residual water that's hanging out there. I hope you get some better answers from the vets here.
Any chance you had anchor tt? Have you asked the surgeon if this is normal? Also, I haven't had mine yet, but have read many many times here, that the swelling can go on for many months, even a year, particularly with tt's. If you're not still using a compression garment, it might be worth using something similar to help squash out any residual water that's hanging out there. I hope you get some better answers from the vets here.
Hi Bearmom, thanks for the reply. I had my circumferential LBL with TT, inner thighs and butt lift - with a new belly button. My incision runs from above one buttock down and around my thigh/hip crease and across my public area up and around my other thigh/hip crease and almost meets the incision up and above my other buttock. I had some swelling in my legs the first six weeks but it was resolved especially after I purchased and wore compression stockings. My surgeon didn't use compression garments. I really don't think I have anything left to compress. Below my waist, I'm smaller and extremely tight. At and above my waist, I'm thicker than before my plastics. I thought it might be taken care of during my April breast lift and arm reduction surgery but it wasn't. I never experienced any significant swelling with my arms or breast surgery. I will have a lot to ask my surgeon about when I see him Friday. Thank again. Deb
Amy Farrah Fowler
on 6/8/10 3:10 am
on 6/8/10 3:10 am
Gosh, I would be frustrated too.
I'm still thinking you may have some swelling, just based on that I've seen others dealing with, and especially since your surgeon doesn't have you in any garments. It's fortunate you already have an appt scheduled with your surgeon, since he does need to give you some answers. Revisions are a drag, but many surgeons cover them if their work wasn't up to par, so maybe there's a little lipo in your waists future.
I'm still thinking you may have some swelling, just based on that I've seen others dealing with, and especially since your surgeon doesn't have you in any garments. It's fortunate you already have an appt scheduled with your surgeon, since he does need to give you some answers. Revisions are a drag, but many surgeons cover them if their work wasn't up to par, so maybe there's a little lipo in your waists future.
I can relate to your dilemma. I was wearing 10's & 12's prior to my anchor tt, and now I only fit comfortably in my older 14's. The 10's I can't get on at all, and the 12's I can get up but can't get them buttoned.
I still weigh the same and the hanging skin is gone but my stomach is totally different now and nothing fit's the same. I almost miss the looser skin which I could "tuck" into my pants easier.
Oh, well................it's not been quite 5 months, so I am still hoping that things will re-arrange themselves eventually.
Life will go on either way.
I still weigh the same and the hanging skin is gone but my stomach is totally different now and nothing fit's the same. I almost miss the looser skin which I could "tuck" into my pants easier.
Oh, well................it's not been quite 5 months, so I am still hoping that things will re-arrange themselves eventually.
Life will go on either way.
LoonLover
on 6/10/10 9:45 am
on 6/10/10 9:45 am
I can sooooooooooooooooo relate........disappointing isn't it!! I have to wear a larger size....I am having to replace my skirts and pants. It has been 5 months for me. Next to the larger waist, my thighs and taken on a shape of their own. I still hope it is going to get better. Myabe I am just dreaming. IT is getting expensive with all the changing of clothes sizes. I have not gained any weight but cannot get into my pants or skirts!
I hear you. Three year post tummy tuck and buttocks lift, my hips measure to wear size 14 pants, and my waist measures to wear size 22. I have NO shape other than straight. Apparently I have adhesions or scar tissue because my abdomen is hard and keeps getting larger. A CT scan didn't show any obstructions. Finding pants to fit is a nightmare.
Lynne
I think when they pull all the skin down we lose the natural contours of our waists. Just my guess. I had always had a tiny waist no matter what my weight was. Now, even though I'm thrilled that all the stomach fat is gone, I seem to be built "blockier". I'm the exact same size I was before the surgery although the pants are a bit tighter in the waist. Still, I'm glad I had the surgery. I just adore the flat tummy and higher butt.
Stacy
Height: 5'6
Original weight: 225
Day of surgery 3/19/08: 206
Current weight: 148
Height: 5'6
Original weight: 225
Day of surgery 3/19/08: 206
Current weight: 148
Aloha Deb- very similar to what you describe, but it doesn't bother me at all because I wanted the CBL, not an anchor cut.
I also had a circumferential lower body lift. I took measurements the night before plastic surgery ( because I forgot to take them pre VSG, damnit, and I wasn't going to forget again!) and measured again10 days post plastics- my waist increased from a 33.5 to a 35 ...but my hips decreased from a 38 to a 36! I could not wear my pre plastics pants ( size 8) but had to bump up to a size 10. I definitely looked thick and blocky.
All my swelling resolved very quickly ( my surgeon does not use compression garments so I attribute it to quick healing, good circulation, and rapid return to function). I had 7 drains in post op, and all were pulled between 2-12 days with a return to stretching/yoga at 12 days post op and cardio/resistance workouts approved at 3 weeks post op ( gradual return). I think that also helped get rid of excess fluid rapidly . I am now 4.5 months post plastics --- my waist is a 33 and the hips are 35- and the size 6 bottoms fit. But I appear thicker waisted because the hips are smaller and there's not as much accentuation or curve there ( the measurements are too close). My butt didn't flatten out too much but I work alot on my gluteal muscles in workouts, as the surgeon warned me about a flat bottom post CBL.
If you look at a mannequin and imagine 2 surgery lines all the way around circumferentially - one up above the belly button and one down by the pubis -- then pulling down the upper and pulling up the the lower half- it will tighten the butt and "spread out" the waist. Unless you have a vertical incision ( like an anchor cut, or inverted T), you won't be able to lose many inches on the waist. Your body will continue to change for up to a year, though ( at least that's what my PS said) - so what you see now is not necessarily the finished deal.
Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment and on coming through plastics better than before- if I was discouraged at all about the thicker waist, it vanished when I saw the surgeon's before and after comparisons at 3 months post op. I HATED that pannus and my flabby butt cheeks!!!!! XOXO Lori
I also had a circumferential lower body lift. I took measurements the night before plastic surgery ( because I forgot to take them pre VSG, damnit, and I wasn't going to forget again!) and measured again10 days post plastics- my waist increased from a 33.5 to a 35 ...but my hips decreased from a 38 to a 36! I could not wear my pre plastics pants ( size 8) but had to bump up to a size 10. I definitely looked thick and blocky.
All my swelling resolved very quickly ( my surgeon does not use compression garments so I attribute it to quick healing, good circulation, and rapid return to function). I had 7 drains in post op, and all were pulled between 2-12 days with a return to stretching/yoga at 12 days post op and cardio/resistance workouts approved at 3 weeks post op ( gradual return). I think that also helped get rid of excess fluid rapidly . I am now 4.5 months post plastics --- my waist is a 33 and the hips are 35- and the size 6 bottoms fit. But I appear thicker waisted because the hips are smaller and there's not as much accentuation or curve there ( the measurements are too close). My butt didn't flatten out too much but I work alot on my gluteal muscles in workouts, as the surgeon warned me about a flat bottom post CBL.
If you look at a mannequin and imagine 2 surgery lines all the way around circumferentially - one up above the belly button and one down by the pubis -- then pulling down the upper and pulling up the the lower half- it will tighten the butt and "spread out" the waist. Unless you have a vertical incision ( like an anchor cut, or inverted T), you won't be able to lose many inches on the waist. Your body will continue to change for up to a year, though ( at least that's what my PS said) - so what you see now is not necessarily the finished deal.
Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment and on coming through plastics better than before- if I was discouraged at all about the thicker waist, it vanished when I saw the surgeon's before and after comparisons at 3 months post op. I HATED that pannus and my flabby butt cheeks!!!!! XOXO Lori
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