Question:
Has any other pear shaped person had this problem?

I am six months post op and have lost close to 120 pounds. Unfortunately the loss has not been evenly distributed throughout my body. I've always been pear shaped and I carry the bulk of my weight in my rear, hips and thighs, but the majority of my weightloss so far has been from the waist up. This means that while I 'm finding it very easy to find tops that fit, I can't find any slacks that fit at all. There is at least a 24 inch difference between my current waist size and my hips and thighs are even more of a problem. Slacks that fit my waist wont go past my thighs and slacks that do fit my legs don't remotely fit my waist and sag and bunch. Belts aren't helping and skirts and dresses are not an option as far as I'm concerned. Has anyone else had this problem? How did you deal with it? Did you eventually lose the weight where you needed to lose it most? Was liposuction an answer? Thanks for any input.    — Traci H. (posted on February 17, 2002)

February 17, 2002
Elastic waistbands...I am pear shaped with lymphedema of the lower extremities. My calves are huge by comparison and I have to buy bigger pants just to fit my calves. And yes, I am having both liposuction and reconstructive surgery, starting in May 2002. I saw the Plastic Surgeon on Friday and we are starting with the panniculectomy and lipo of the calves, followed by medial thigh reduction and calf tightening, followed by brachioplasty, followed by a breast reduction. All about 8 weeks apart if all goes well. We may also do an outer thigh/butt lift and reduction, depending on how it all ends up. She was eyeballing my jowls and chicken neck, too, but that would simply be too vain for me, although I am starting to resemble a hound dog. Fortunately, one of the men in my life adores blue tick coonhounds and says he can't say why, but i appear to be getting better looking. I am not going to speculate to him as to why as men are often best left in the dark. Anyway, good luck to you!
   — merri B.

February 17, 2002
I am down to a size 8 from 30/32. I carried most of my weight in my butt, hips & legs. My butt & hips have really slimmed down but my legs still look huge (when I'm nekkid). I bought my first knee high boots but had to get the Naturalizer ones with the full calf. I can't wear slim cut pants either, they have to be wider leg. And forget about short skirts or shorts. I would love to have the surgery Merri mentioned below but can't afford anything like that at this time. Well, one can dream.....
   — Lori_B

February 20, 2002
I'm down 120lbs. I started at size 30/32 and now I'm down to size 18's. I'm going to stop my weight loss when I reach size 14. I envision similar problems if I lose too much weight. I was always heaviest in the thighs and butt and I had heavy calves. I still have that basic body shape and I don't think I'd look good at all if I get too small. All thigh and a**. I'm very vain and I don't have the money for the reconstructive surgery mentioned below....I doubt I'd have so much surgery even if I could afford it. I am going to have a brachioplasty when I get down to that size 14. I guess I'm more interested in looking good and being healthy than I am in being very small.
   — [Anonymous]