Question:
Will I lose my bottom half?

I am pear-shaped. I am big all over, but MOST of my weight is on my hips and legs. I have seen pictures in the gallery and most people are big (to start out with) all over and really look wonderful after surgery. Will I lose all over and keep these hips? I have avoided pictures because of how I look. These hips are mine, but they sure have caused me a lot of shame.I look forward to walking again.    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 24, 2001)

May 24, 2001
I am also big all over, with LOTS of BACK!! LOL. I have big hips, and big legs, and I often wonder the same question. I have lost 45 lbs so far, and some of my jeans are getting a little big in the butt, so I think I'm actually losing some from there. I don't know if I will ever look perportioned, but I figure.... Jennifer Lopez isn't bad eh? TeeHee. I really don't know the answer to your question, but I'll keep checking back myself to see if there is any hope for our "bottom halfs!"
   — [Anonymous]

May 24, 2001
I am a pear-shape. I've lost, proportionately, much more from my hips than from my waist! This is so exciting! Also, I noticed another benefit of being pear-shaped, I don't need a tummy tuck. I've lost what the doctor thought I should lose and am just waiting for my flabby upper arms to tighten up. You may do great and be very pleased with the results. Best wishes to you!
   — Cindy H.

May 24, 2001
I carried most of my weight in my hips and thighs also. Now that I have lost all that I'm going to lose (I started out at 260 and am now 125), it is amazing to me that I have *no* hips at all, really. It is all gone. My shape is completely different from before. I used to be an hourglass (though a big fat one); now I'm a stick. I have no waist to speak of, no hips and no butt! I am not complaning, but it has been a real surprise to me to have everything change so drastically.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 24, 2001
Hmm...your question got me to thinking. I'm a pear/hourglass. So I pulled up my spreadsheet and wanted to see what percentage of total inches I've lost (maybe someday I will try to figure out the percentage of excess inches, but I really don't know what my measurement are going to end up at. 38-24-36? In my dreams!) Anyhow, I was suprised to see the answers: Neck, 6.78%; Upper Arm, 25%; Wrist, 7%; Bust, 18.14%; Waist, 24.46%; Hips, 22.69%; Upper Thigh, 25.42%; Knee, 19.44%, Calf, 11.43%, Ankle, 2.7%. According to my calculations, I have been losing fairly proportionately, except those area that were 'skinny' to begin with - neck, wrists (I actually lost .5" off of my 6.5" wrist), ankles. And I thought I hadn't lost much off my thighs, but that's my best area! Bummed about the calves, though...proves my point that they are very muscled from carrying the weight and probably won't thin out appreciably. My waist is a full 12 inches smaller than my hips, so it was suprising to see that my hips have also lost more percentage-wise. I really thought my hips had some catching up to do! So, to answer your question, yes...you can lose those hips...but you may not be able to see it with your own eyes. Get a measuring tape and maintain a spreadsheet - especially during plateaus...Good Luck to you!
   — Allie B.

May 24, 2001
You think you have problems??? You should be a guy with a "pair shape". That's a pain. ;) I sure hope I lose my fat butt and thighs. I had my surgery on May 8th and have lost 27 pounds in 16 days... but so far nothing in the butt or thighs. Rrrrr. Hope that changes for both of us! ;) Good luck to you!
   — Danmark

May 24, 2001
My friend had WLS and lost 125 pounds she had the ASS and Legs from Hell Her ass and legs were huge she is now in a size 10 and looking fantastic so the answer is yes the weight does come off she would kill me if she knew i discribed her butt and legs...lol
   — Kathleen M.

June 2, 2001
Okay, before I lost weight, there was a saying...."baby's got back"....well, I had "back" and then I had a few other peoples "back". I had huge hips and legs. That was two years ago and now, believe it or not, I am looking at buying a butt lifter. My butt is flat flat flat. I went from size 26 pants to size 6 if that tells you anything. the only thing I can tell you is that I would be in a size 4 if not for my calves. For some reason, the muscle from carrying around all that fat, stayed in them and I can't even find a pair of boots that will fit them now....(and I am a size 6 pants). I think that my calves are as big as my thighs now. Alittle wierd and I don't think that I will ever get rid of the calves as they are all muscle. So, in answer to you, yes, the thighs and hips lose but watch those calves and see if the same might happen to you. It's weird.
   — Barbara H.