Question:
Thought you needed a panni done, then found you didn't?

I want to hear from those who really thought they were going to need a panniculectomy or abdominoplasty, then found out <b>near or at goal</b> that their overhang shrank to an acceptable size and decided against plastic surgery. I am a "lightweight" (started at 227, 5'1") who has had a pannus since my first c-section in 1990. My stomach is very bulgy and hangs quite a bit (for my size). I have been strength-training for two months now, and although i'm losing weight, my stomach still has a huge roll of fat on it that just doesn't seem to want to shrink.<br> <br> Although I'm incredibly happy with my weight loss (and the fact that my plateau finally broke!), i really feel that my stomach will never shrink to look "normal" enough. It sticks out like a sore thumb from my body, and makes me feel "deformed." I want to be able to at least be able to wear a one piece bathing suit without this big 'ol thing sticking out and hanging down. Let me know what your experience has been. Thanks in advance!    — sweetmana (posted on November 3, 2003)

November 3, 2003
I started at 248 and am now 145. I am taller than you, at 5'7". I needed a TT before surgery. I look at myself, at goal according to many charts, and just have a hard time dealing with my excess abdominal skin. I can deal with the arms and legs, but the tummy skin is the only area that cannot be hidden by my clothing. I just dream of the day I will have it removed. I see it in bathing suits, exercise clothes and in the way I have to choose anything I wear from the waist down. When I am in bed, my skin just lays on the bed next to me. I just don't know how to explain it. Don't get me wrong, I would rather be this way than as I was pre-op, but it is just so grotesque to me to look at this every day. Sorry if this isn't helpful, but it's the one major negative that I see now in myself
   — Fixnmyself

November 3, 2003
i started out at 228 and am 5'1". My belly sags a little after losing 90 lbs but not bad and i don't need a TT. I am 56 years old and my face looks worse than anything. Oh. BTW, I have never exercised or tried to tighten up. Just my regular work.
   — Delores S.

November 3, 2003
I am 42 yrs old, 5'3 and started at 235. I was sure I would need my tummy done as I previously had two c-sections plus a hysterectomy. Now that I'm closer to goal though, I really don't think I'll need it. I am currently at 147 with only another 17 lbs to lose and my tummy is looking fairly good. I got a little perspective when I was on vacation recently and wore my swim suit. I was a little self conscious at first, but started looking around and quickly realized that I looked a lot better than many of the other women my age! I think all my exercising is paying off! Barb 4/07/03 235/147/130
   — Barbara C.

November 3, 2003
When I went to see my PS, I weighed 150 pounds. They took pre-op pictures and I had surgery when I weighed 140 pounds. I now look back on those pre-op pictures and I swear I look like I weigh 250 pounds due to my huge stomach!! Then you look at my post-op pictures and you can see how much smaller my stomach, butt, upper outer thighs really are.
   — Patty H.