BMX and clothing when obese, no recon

Options
Sunflowers1219
Sunflowers1219 Member Posts: 2
edited January 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I weigh around 200 and carry much of my weight around my middle. I'm also short at 5' 4". Until I'm able to lose some, what is it like to live flat, but have a larger belly? What issues should I expect? What types of clothes should I aim for vs avoid? Will I look ridiculous, especially from the side (look pregnant, but no chest??), etc. Most of my shirts help disguise my belly now, but that will no longer be the case. Yikes!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • aunt_paula
    aunt_paula Member Posts: 271
    edited January 2016

    I do have a somewhat pregnant look, but doing something about it is a slow process, so I'm overall ok with it, at least in terms of being able to accept it as the new landscape since surgery. In terms of clothes, I find boatneck and balletneck tops to be the most flattering (for me--this I'm sure is largely a matter of what I'm comfortable wearing). Some of the clothes I really loved before surgery don't work for me now, even if I wear a bra and inserts (I prefer to be flat, but have worn bra a good bit lately due to the need for compression for lymphedema).



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2016
    Dear Sunflowers, welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sorry that you are here, but glad that you found such wonderful group of people to help you get thru all this. Please know that we are here for you, and let us know if we can be of any assistance.

    Best,

    The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melgirl
    Melgirl Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2016

    I feel you sunflower! I'm used to my breasts sticking out slightly more than my belly. I have a couple of inches in you at 5'6" and I'm about 200 as well. I'm nervous about what to wear. I really don't want to wear the bras/ inserts, especially in warmer weather. I plan to get reconstruction eventually but who knows when that will be.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited January 2016

    I'm heavier than you, same height. I wear what ever works. Yes, the breasts hid my view of Budda belly, and now it gets in the room before the rest of me. I've never worn a bra since surgery, don't intend to. Been 3 years. Do what feels right for you. If some idiot stares, they're being rude and have the problem, not you 😍

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2016

    You might want to post about this in "Living without Recon after a Mastectomy" forum for answers as to what others do.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    Patterned blouses, scarves or wraps, jacket or overshirt, and practice holding your abs in slightly (which is good for posture, too).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cke14
    cke14 Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2016

    Hi,

    I am the same height and weight. I had very large breasts and I too have decided not to do reconstruction. I must say that I love going flat and never wearing a bra. I usually purchase loose fitting tops that cover my belly and I think that I look just fine. I like to wear a tank top under my shirts, just for comfort and to make sure that my scar does not show.

    good luck


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunflowers1219
    Sunflowers1219 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2016

    Hi Everyone! Thank you for your responses, I appreciated them! Some even made me giggle!!

    I have decided no reconstruction at this time and am scheduled for the bilateral mastectomy on Feb 1. I'm going to take one day at a time and see how I feel about living flat vs rebuilding. Who knows, I might find it is quite freeing! And if not, I can always go back and do reconstruction. As for my belly, this is a reality check for me. I need to lose some weight and eat healthier to help me remain as healthy as possible. Something else just got to pick when, lol! I know I haven't done much without the "push!"

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    If you exercise at all, you will find that flat, you're free from the negative effects of large breasts. I haven't missed that breast-weight-related shoulder or neck strain!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cupcaker
    cupcaker Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2016

    I'm having a BMX on Feb 23 and no reconstruction. This has concerned me as well - I'm the same weight as you and almost the same height. I'm going through my clothes and trying to decide what to keep and what to give away. I'm going to order several lightweight scarves and start to wear those when I'm at work. I've also started to walk/run quite a bit and have begun to wear more baggy t-shirts anyways, so I am planning to get a couple soft sports bras. I saw at Target a few sports bras that had some very lightly lined cups and I think I'd be good with that. Otherwise, I'm really looking forward to not having to worry about my breasts anymore. I had a friend about 2 years ago who went flat and I barely even noticed - I only noticed when she pointed it out to me one day.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories