On the subject of Boobs - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Vikkator · 05-09-2008, 08:52 AM

I am in the beginning phases of getting GB surgery. I don't have a date yet, but have to go through the nutritional counseling and have the psych eval next week. I'm looking at probably late summer, early fall for the surgery. My dilemma is my boobs. They are huge. Even when I weighed 150 (before kids), they were big (at least a DD). I've been approved by insurance for breast reduction surgery, but told the surgeon that I want to lose the weight first.

I'm not sure what to do. I had lost around 50 pounds a couple of years ago, and my cup size stayed the same (it's got to be up in the Z's by now--do they have that size?). I'm not sure whether or not I should get the reduction done first or see what happens after the bypass. I'm no spring chicken and know that they're going to sag either way.

Has anyone ever had this problem that could advise me? Do it get it done first, or wait? My back is really hurting me carrying these melons around--yet everything hurts due to the weight too. I barely qualify for the GB surgery. In fact, they advised me to try to maintain my weight because if I lose too much I won't qualify. The plastic surgeon said it would only make me about 3 pounds lighter. But I don't want to end up with boobs down to my waist.

Any thoughts?

KarenInKali · 05-09-2008, 12:02 PM

I haven't had the problem but personally I would wait. I am large, and I am lopsided - a cup size or more different. My doctors told me years ago they would do a reduction but wanted me to lose weight first. Now that I am finally having surgery, my hubby and I just figure a boob job is in the picture for a year or so down the road...

waterbottle · 05-09-2008, 01:40 PM

I thought I would email you, I have lost 6 stone now and my boobs are so saggy I am upset and feel like I must have something done.

My weight loss is not enough yet so have the opersation as I still have 2 stone to loose.

I do Understand how you feel and it is harder as you loose more weight.

take care Dianne

lealphachienne · 05-09-2008, 07:24 PM

Hmmmm,

My instincts say go with the reduction first and let the plastic surgeon know to make them nice and tight. If you remove the excess fat and skin now, there's probably not too much risk to lose any further with the WLS. We lose a lot of fat initially, being women, we have quite a bit of fat in the breasts. Most of us end up with very long and droopy breasts...yours may not be as long, though may still droop a little. You can always add implants later without having to remove skin if it's a real concern how your breasts look.

Who knows, with the reduction, you may find yourself feeling better and able to lose the weight without need for WLS.

SDeRossett · 05-09-2008, 07:51 PM

Myself personally I'd wait. I was a 42DD, now a 32-34 B. Hopefully some day be able to do the B-Job. But it won't be for a while. I personally know a gal who was also DD or larger and had a reduction prior to GBS and cries now as she in a padded "A". Everyone's different though, and it's really hard to say how and where you will lose weight, your age, genitics, and you said you don't have a tremendous amount to lose. Tough choice, myself I'd wait, but like with me, the plastic surgeon said there isn't enough left to qualify for the reduction so for me it will be to remove the lose skin and do implants. Dang if you do, danged if you don't. Good luck with your decision.

Phoenixfire · 05-09-2008, 07:56 PM

DEFINITELY WAIT. I was similar to you in breast size.
The issue post surgery will be different than now. You will lose fat in your breasts. The skin is the big reason to wait. I would plan on having breast surgery, if you have any, about a year after bypass.
Be prepared that your boobs may look, as Carnie Wilson said "like tubesocks holding a roll of nickels." It's that rough for some unfortunately.
I'm familiar with the pain from how big they are, but in the long run you WILL be VERY glad you waited until you had bypass, lost the substantial amount of weight you will lose, and THEN have your breasts examined and addressed regarding surgery.

Funny aside: I've been big my whole life since they sprouted. After bypass I kept my D size. BUT when I had a huge life loss, I lost a lot of weight and was bony as hell. I went down to a low B cup. That's what happens when my weight drops STILL. 10-15 lbs. now can mean the difference between a low C and a full D. But then we're all different. I know.

Godsblessedme · 05-10-2008, 10:54 AM

Wait is my vote too

you may have lost 50 pounds in the past but ya know you'll be loosing like what over 100 i'm telling you that the boobs will possible shrivel (i mean shrink) as well. I have really big boobs too (something like 46F) but when i lost weight before and weighed like 115pounds my boobs went to like a b cup.

jerseygrl684 · 05-10-2008, 11:53 AM

wait.

i went from 38dd.. to a 36c/d right now. and i am down 93 lbs. My age may be a factor here, but who knows. just wait it out!!!!! its not the end of the world, thats why they make all these amazing bras now-a-days.

veroniquetalk · 05-10-2008, 02:07 PM

I would definately wait! You can't predict what your body will do with its weight loss with this surgery.

Debs · 05-10-2008, 07:46 PM

I say wait also, and then evaluate how you look. I know when I lost over 100lbs 10 years ago my boobs went down in size, which was great. Now I'm waiting to have the surgery so I can lose that same 100lbs again, and keep it off this time.........Debs