Question:
Tummy tuck

I am 1 week post-op from my tummy tuck/hernia repair. I still have lots of swelling as expected. My question is this.. I am 5'10 went in at 194 pounds. I was a size 14 dress pants/ 16 jeans before tummy tuck. Anyone similar can tell me about how many pants sizes you went down? I know everyone is different. Just curious. Also... They removed 9 pounds of skin. Thanks for your input.    — D P. (posted on June 9, 2004)

June 9, 2004
I think most the time its 2 sizes I know 1 lady she was a size 6 and after TT she was a size 4 I was wondering the same thing I just got approved for a TT hernia repair I am in a size 3 now so if you go down 2sizes i may be in a 1 but dont know cause my thighs & but are still big due to all the skin but dont look bad when I have my jeans on Take Care Huggs Beth
   — wildbrat

June 9, 2004
I'm looking forward to your responses, seeing as how I have a tummy tuck coming up June 30th. I think it really depends on how much skin you have. I started out 327lbs 5'8"...a year and a half later I am 150lbs- When I talked to most post op's who are 5'8" around 150...Most of them are like size 6/8 however, I am still in a 12/14 pants- That is because I carried most of my weight right in my "gutt" and after losing so much weight, I am left with ALOT ALOT ALOT of skin right on my middle- 9 pounds of skin is quite alot. Most of the time when I hear about tummy tucks, I hear 4-5 pounds of skin, so I'm gussing you'll go down to make a 8 or 10. My surgeon told me He'll take off about 10-12 pounds of skin on me. My friend Kristi from the chat room went from a size 14 to a size 2 after her tummy tuck that removed an awful lot of skin....(poster below) WOW size 0-2 I can't even imagine (smile) I'll bet that finding clothing in that size is just as hard as finding quality super plus size clothing. I know when I wore a 30/32 4X my choices for clothing were very limited. For some reason, the "affordable" plus size stores think that women who wear size 4X like big bright neon T-shirts with cartoon characters on them LOL....
   — WABBIT F.

June 9, 2004
I was in a tight size 8 when I had my tt. After the tt and 5 pounds of ugly skin removed, I'm in a size 4. I expect that you would probably lose 2 to 3 pants sizes.
   — Patty H.

June 9, 2004
Thanks soooo much for all the tips (please keep them coming!!) Im sooo excited. I JUST talked to the Dr and I get one drain removed today @ 1pm. I just cant wait to stand up straight and get the swelling down. I cant wait to see what I really look like in clothes! LOL... Oh and Im down to 190 this morning!!! Yippie!!!
   — D P.

June 10, 2004
Well now I'm depressed!! :) How did all the other posters lose so many sizes with their TT??? I didn't go down a single size with my TT. I started out in sizes 6's and 8's. I'm still in the same clothes. I had my full tuck about 7 weeks ago. Yes, I am much, much flatter now, but it sure didn't change my pants size. I still have the same butt and thighs, so I guess that's why my size didn't change! I sure wish it had. Oh well - I'm still very happy with the results and am glad I did it. Best of luck to you!!
   — Mary W.

June 10, 2004
I am nearly 5 months post op from a belt lipectomy. My surgeon removed about 8 pounds of skin, about 8" wide strip. I was about a size 14 before, and now a size 10. The swelling went down about 4 months post-op. But that is only if I avoid ALL carbs and sugar alcohols :)
   — kultgirl

June 10, 2004
DP, I had a Lower Body lift 4 wks ago. I went from 193.6 to 177/178 from the PS. I lost a bunch of weight immed. I am 5'5 and was 305 when i had RNY 22 mos ago. I was a 16 before PS and I am still really swollen, I am in 14's now, for the past few wks, all my pre-op clothes were too small, over the last wk, those pre-op clothes fit againa nd now they are too big. I would love to be a 12, but, will be content in 12/14.
   — heathercross

June 10, 2004
I went into my LBL at 217 and theoretically came out at 198 - 19 lbs of skin removal. It took about 4-6 weeks before I actually saw 198 on the scale due to fluid and swelling etc. <p>I was a tight 16W going into PS and a 16 misses coming out. I was a little shocked I wasn't smaller. I could fit in an occassional 14 but not most very comfortably. However, over the next 3 months I went from that 16 to 12's and 14's fitting. All 12's would have likely fit but the thighs were still big and that would dictate what I could wear. I had the 2nd stage of my abdominoplasty on Monday and also tons of lipo on my legs in preparation for the skin removal in Nov. Right now the 12 inches above my knees would not even fit in a 16 or 18 - they are like basketballs. The swelling is incredible. He did lipo some more out of the saddle bag area so a 12 would likely fit there now. I suspect it will take 2 months before the swelling above the knees is down low enough to fit into 12's consistently. I don't plan to buy much for pants until after the leg skin removal and healing as I will likely be in 10's and 12's. Most of my 14's are way too comfy. My surgeon told me it would take 3 months before I really kew what size I was and he was right. Good thing a lot of the stuff I bought I kept the tags on until I was ready to wear. Then I could exchange it for a smaller size. Give it time. Your body will heal and you will be happy with your new size!
   — zoedogcbr