PS Consult...Gotta Lose That Weight to Get the Foob!

ChiSandy

How would losing weight, even fat, help—considering that “losing fat” means emptying out the fat cells, which remain and can still pump out the androgen that aromatase converts to estrogen? It’s the cells themselves that function as organs—the fat in the cells is a mere substance. The only way to “lose” fat cells themselves is to remove them surgically (liposuction or excision). I can understand, though, the necessity to try to avoid gaining weight. There are two types of the obesogenic process: hypertrophic and hyperplastic. The former kind is when you “put on fat” by increasing the size of (filling or refilling) your fat cells. The latter kind is when you actually gain new fat cells, not just refill your existing ones. Men, by and large (no pun intended), get hypertrophic obesity—their fat cells can increase only in size, not in number. Women, unfortunately, get both hypertrophic and hyperplastic obesity. We can both fill up the cells we have and make new ones. Particularly cruel when we are given treatments that suppress metabolism and promote obesogenesis and are then told to “maintain a healthy BMI” (especially when at diagnosis our BMI is already unhealthy).

What I want to know is why nobody seems to have researched reducing one’s recurrence risk in ER+ cancer via the judicious and balanced use of liposuction, both to reduce the number of fat cells and offset the possibility of hyperplastic obesity. I can see why tummy tucks are to be avoided, in case that tissue becomes a necessary donor source for DIEP flap reconstruction.

pabbie

Artista928:

I'm hearing the same thing about losing weight in the "good, saggy boob" too. The breast will still sag, sweaty and rashy in the heat or humidity. I'm already putting cold compresses and corn starch on my breast and it's only Feb. I decided that I'm going to have the breast reduction/lift. It will help with the rashes and sweat which give me so much grief., plus a smaller prosthetic and mastectomy bras.

I hope you're doing okay. Take good care of yourself.

hanley50

Hey Wendiwithani - How are you?? I'm checking back in. My DIEP is tomorrow and I have pretty much done what I set out to do as far as my weight is concerned. I managed to lose over 40 pounds since January and my BMI is now 28.1 so I am now officially "just overweight"!! I would have loved to lose more, but my body only wants to do what it wants to do! I feel great so I'll take it!

I hope all is well with you and that your surgery went well and recovery has gone smooth.

Maryann

Wendiwithani

Hi, Maryann! I am doing VERY well. Very pleased with my phase 1 results. It was a long recovery which continues, but I am 100% happy I did it.

How did your surgery go? How are you? The first few weeks are the hardest! Hang in there.