Question:
is anybody's body built like my body?

I weigh about 400lbs and carry my weight all in my belly. I also have severe edema in my lower extremeties which makes my belly hang even worse. It is literally so big and floppy that it swings when I walk and prevents my thighs from being able to touch, as it hangs between my legs and sits almost on my knees. Is anyone else built like this? If so, did it do away after you lost weight? I realize I'll have loose skin and probably will need a panni, but Im hoping the majority of it will go away to where I at least look normal. Please help!    — justaboutkrazy (posted on August 29, 2003)

August 28, 2003
I carry the majority of my weight in my stomach and my rear end. I guess that is why the x-rays of my knees show bone on bone. I also have edema in my legs all the time. Since surgery I have shrunk a little but I seem to be losing the majority of what I have lost in my arms and legs first. I guess the stomach and rear will EVENTUALLY go away. I am only 33 pounds lighter so far. Unfortunately the swelling in my legs has yet to get better. Time will tell I guess. God Bless you in your journey!
   — Eleanore Davis

August 29, 2003
I carried most of my weight in my tummy and thighs and I had to have a panni. I'm now working on getting thigh reduction covered by the insurance. I just had knee replacement surgery and my orthopaedist told me that he's sure that I'm carrying about 30 pounds in the thighs. I want it OFF. Having the panni was wonderful, by the way.
   — Patty_Butler

August 29, 2003
I was not built totally like you but there are some women in our support group that were. To be honest the only way it is going to go away is with a panni and it may need to be done earlier than normal. This is a big mobility issue for some after WLS as it can hang a lot and cause upper and lower back pain etc. I am not trying to scare you just give you a realistic idea of what to expect so you do not set yourself up for diappointment. Your body shape is one that will always require significant skin removal. You need to just look at it as the last reminder of your obesity but in time it will be gone.
   — zoedogcbr

August 29, 2003
I was not built the same as you are; however, there was a woman who had surgery the same time as I did who was built similarly and she had the surgeon remove her apron during the RNY surgery because of mobility issues. Best of luck to you and congrats on taking this step for your health.
   — denisel

August 29, 2003
I also know someone with this problem who had her panni removed with the WLS. SHe had a large amount of fluid in the panni and lost >30 lbs just from that! She was very happy that this was removed so early as she became mobile for the first time, was able to walk, exercise, etc.
   — Chris T.

August 29, 2003
I do not have all my excess weight in my stomach, but I have plenty. For ages (this sounds SO stupid) I thought there was something weird about the way glass doors reflected, because any time I would see myself as I walked towards a glass door, it looked like my stomach was swaying back and forth under my clothes like a watermelon rolling in a truck bed. One horrifying day it hit me - it's not the door. I always look that way! I only notice it in glass door reflections because that's the only time I see myself walk. I've lost 95 pounds (385 to 290)and I still sway, but not nearly as much. Good luck to you!
   — Kim A.