Pannus sabatoging weight loss

I am new to this forum, I have been reading the main forum however I see so many cruel remarks and so much negativity that I don't want to put myself out there. I ran across this forum and read a few posts, this is where I belong, everyone seems very kind and caring, and I am a lightweight, my highest weight was 256, on the day of surgery I was 234lbs. I am now at 180lbs. I am feeling very good about myself. I have some issues at time with getting enough protein in and remembering to take my vitamins. My problem is and I am wondering if any of you have had this problem? What can I do about my excess skin? I went shopping last Saturday to buy myself some jeans. I tried on a 14, the jeans fit everywhere except at the tummy, the hanging skin was just too much. So I bought the 16s!! Wow what a disappointment! I think this skin issue is sabotaging my size. I am shrinking everywhere else, I was wearing size 3-4x in shirts now I am in a large and depending how it is made an xlarge. I am quite busty. Anyway if any of you can offer any advice as to what I can do to control this flab until I am able to get Plastics I will sincerely appreciate it. I have my 6 month check up this month and I am thinking that I might talk to my surgeon to see if I can have the Pannus removed and go back in a year for a tummy tuck. Well thanks all!

Welcome aboard! Have you tried Spanx to help with the excess skin? I know a lot of folks use them or the equivalent they carry at Target until they can get plastics. 

About protein and vitamins...a lot of us use protein shakes in coffee or tea to keep our protein above 100 grams a day. Vitamins--I have to follow a schedule and sort them out a week at a time. 

Glad you found us. We love questions!

--gina
  

I have a body shaper that really helps.  I bought a larger size than what I now wear, because I don't like for it to be so tight to wear all day. I only wear it if I'm wearing something that shows my shape too much!   It is still snug enough to smooth things out. 
I had a hard time drinking protein shakes at first.  I made myself drink them in order to get my protein in and somewhere along the journey I got to where I like some of them.  Try a lot of different ones. 
I also sort my vitamins out.  I fix 2 weeks worth at a time.  I fix them in little cups marked on top as to what they are - I have a large drawer in my kitchen and every day I get out one of each and take with me or put out on the counter for the day.
1 for AM Vit 
1 for PM Vit  and meds
1 for Calcuium and Iron
1 for Glycolax (RX form of Miralax) I take this everyday along with a colace AM and PM

This works great for me,  I usually get everythin in this way.  Good Luck with coming up with what works for you.

Linda W
 

Welcome to the LWs.  We are much more civil.
I can totally relate to the clothes thing.  I can wear 12s except for the tummy.  It does get better.  2 weeks ago, I couldn't get them anywhere close to coming together, now I can. I went from 2x tops to mediums so my top also lost much quicker than my tummy.
I'm thinking they won't help you with removal until you have lost all your weight. 

Welcome to the forum, faith, glad you found us.

I believe you have to be at goal weight for a year before they will do a pannectomy (tummy tuck). You want to wait anyway for your body to settle down in it's new weight. I know I will have the same issue cause I already have one the overlaps and my PCP made a comment that I will need one.

Insurance will usually pay for a pannectomy but only after you reach goal and other criteria. Tummy tucks are considered elective pastic surgery and you are on your own.

Good luck and just keep losing the weight and try the other's suggestions for now.

Hi Faith!  Welcome to the LW board!

I had my panniculectomy, turned into a full Tummy Tuck 15 months after surgery.  I got tired of my panni swinging around... You will want to look into the TT at the same time as the panni.  My insurance paid for the panni and I upgraded to the TT....

I wore spanx religiously.  Bought them at Walmart, Kohls, Target, etc.  Whoever was having a sale and who I had a coupon for.  While it doesn't take it away, it does control it quite a bit.

Can't add anything new to the thread but wanted to say welcome. You might look at posting on the "menus and Miles" thread everyday. Helps me to see where I am getting toom much or not enough o0f everything.
Holly

I will never be in a position to afford panni removal...but I have found that the last place to drop the weight has been my tummy.  I was actually quite irritated with things for awhile because I looked ok everywhere but my tummy!   I am now 122...hope to get down to 112 and the tummy has really come along.  There is some skin, but it is thin...the fat underneath, which is really the issue for me....is nearly gone. 

I also have found that adding more cadio and some weight training has made a huge difference.

I guess what I am saying is that your tummy may just not do much until you are closer to goal and that some more or different kinds of exercise may help things along!    

Welcome to the LW board Faith!  You have gotten great advice so far from everyone else!  I'd like to offer you a link to a site that has a TON of body shapers!  If you have a little extra money to spend I'd invest in the ones that go over the shoulder and to mid thigh!  I used one and it made a world of difference!  Here you go!

www.telegaleria.com/s-3-shapewear.aspx

Hi Faith!  Welcome :)
You won't get any mean comments here, so come on over to your new home.  Check out the private group for LWs that is on Facebook too. 

Kathy