Question:
Has anyone else had fat legs most of their life?

Sorry for the weird question. I'm having WLS to get rid of the hypertension, osteoarthritis, etc, but just started walking for exercise in preparation for my Dec 2nd surgery. I have always had fat, tree trunk legs. Anyone else had this problem? After WLS, a healthy diet, and exercise, did you get your legs to look somewhat normal? (I'm about 88-90 lbs overweight now-working on losing prior to the surgery.) Thanks all!    — Mary Ann B. (posted on November 5, 2002)

November 5, 2002
Hello! I too have had huge legs my entire life....they are not only fat, they are muscular. The weird thing is, I am almost 2 months post op and I have lost in my legs more than anything! I haven't even really excerised. I thought that was weird, because if you're like me, the legs were always the hardest place to lose weight before! Good luck!
   — Jamie H.

November 5, 2002
I have HUGE thighs - calves are none too small either. I am 11 months post-op and my thighs are much smaller than they have ever been - but there is a tremendous amount of flab and excess skin. For the first time that I can ever remember, I can walk without my legs rubbing together. The biggest problem is the "saddle bags" on the outer thigh. I am praying that I can convince the insurance company to pay for liposuction and a tuck - I have very bad knees and hips and the weight of the skin and flab doesn't help them at all. Open RNY - 11/29/01 -156 pounds
   — Patty_Butler

November 5, 2002
I did not have huge legs all my life. But when I gained my weight, my legs did get large. My calves are like 21 inches. My thighs also got pretty large. I carried most of my weight from the chest down. My arms and shoulders weren't so big. I have lost 120 lbs since my open RNY on 3/6/02. My thighs have shrunk quite a bit, but my knees and calves are still huge. In the last 4 months I have lost 4 3/4" in each thigh and only 3/4" in each of my calves. My thighs are 21 1/4" each and my calves are 21" each. I have been working out at Curves for 4 months. They don't seem to think my calves will decrease much. I talked to the nurse in my surgeon's office, she also said some people just keep the big calves. Yesterday I called a plastic surgeon and his office person said the same thing. It is very discouraging. I'll never be able to wear shorts, dresses that just come to the knee, and I even have to be careful with slacks--they can't be tapered very much. One of my goals after I lose my weight is to learn how to swim, but I'm worried how hideous I'll look with the huge legs. I sure could use some advice if anyone has any.
   — jan M.

November 5, 2002
Mine are huge too. I am post op (oct 3,2001) down 254 pounds. Its the only thing on me that doesnt really seem to get much smaller. I will need surgery too, so any ideas on this will be appreciated for me as well.
   — pamwashere

November 5, 2002
Hi: It is so weird that you should ask this question. Even at my highest weight, my lower legs were actually whistled at. But my thighs were disgusting. I am 11 weeks postop, but at lower weights walking and riding an exercise bike really did it for my thighs. I don't know if at 49 this will happen again, but I am hoping. There is nothing worse than fat thighs when you want to wear a bathing suit, which I do. My husband and I are avid fishermen (fisherpeople), and I wear a bathing suit all summer long. Not because I am a bathing beauty. It is just the thing to do while you are surf fishing. Love Grace
   — Grace H.