Calling All "Fluffy" aka Plus Size Princesses

I am what is known as a "fluffy" or plus size princess who is 4 weeks away from surgery. I am concerned that the size of my belly and gravity will be a dangerous combination post-op. Any other fluffy princesses out these who want to give me their teo-cents ? It would be greatly appreciated

Hi luvmy2doxies,

I'm a fluffy sister too. My best friend after surgery was my abdominal binder. I had one put on in the hospital that was not nearly as nice as the one I bought online. I bought a 12" binder online in a size larger than what the hospital gave me. I could adjust it to suit my comfort. My doctor suggested I wear a light support panty girdle but because of the sensitivity of my 12" vertical incision, the binder was far more comfortable than the panty girdle. I wore my binder up to about 8 weeks post-op and then switched over to the panty girdle. I made sure my panty girdle was large enough to come above my waist.

Best wishes and 's

I am also plus size, my stomach does cover the incision. What the hospital nurse gave me to help was the old time kotex pad with the long flaps that needed the belt. It helped having it cover the incision and keep the pressure from my stomach and helped when I sat up. I could not find the kotex pads in the store like they gave me. I just use the always overnight pad, tore the strips off and folded it half so the sticky part wouldn't touch me. It did help with the pad and with the panties for added support. I hope this helps.

What type of surgery are you having? With my first daughter I gained about 75 pounds (have gained considerably more since then unfortunately) that I've been carting around in my oversized, sagging belly for 24 years now. I had a TAH with a vertical scar and had absolutely no problems with it. There was no pulling, no undue pain, no complications, no problems. I was completely off pain meds within 2 weeks post-op, had no problem with stairs, and only slight difficulties getting out of bed and out of chairs - nothing that affected my incision.
If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about it.

I am also a fluffy ( I love this term it makes me feel great about myself, How about you?) women. Though I have not had my hysto yet, I go in at the end of the month. I did have a tubal. I had no problems after surgery. I am hoping for no problems this time. My fear isn't my weight but it is the anesthesia. Though I've had the tubal and a colonoscopy all under anesthesia and had no problems with it. It just creeps up on me. My fear is I'll not wake up. I talked to my GYN about my weight and the risks. She said other than the fibroids and having type 2 diabetes (controled through diet) I am healthy. She for sees no problems during or after surgery as long as I follow her instructions about the resting and no over exertion. I have lost 100 lbs in the last 8 months but I still have 100 lbs more to go. I agree with the other sister that you should talk to your doctor about this. It'll make you feel much better.
Marie 10

I figure if they can do a surgery like gastro bypass on 500lb people then a hsyterectomy is a walk in the park for us fluffy ladies. I just had gall baldder surgery a few months ago and did fine. I had a c-section 21 years ago with vertical inscion and even though my belly flops over the inscion now I am not worried about the hysterectomy one since the cut will be in the same place. If I could afford a tummy tuck I would do it but that is a luxury I cannot afford. I am so ready for my hysterectomy. I see it as a celebration not as something to be feared. We all go thru menapause anyway this time we get to choose when it will happen. How often as woman do we get to control our own destiny? This one is for us!

Luvmy2doixes, I am a size 18 and just had a TAH 6 days ago. I did have a horizontal incision and have not had any problems. Today was the first day I could really see the incision.

My incision is at the bottom of my 'roll' and has been slightly tender. I was able to hold my stomach up enough today to see the incision w/staples in the mirror. Prior to today my mom had been making sure it looked ok. She would check it when I would lay down.

For me, I have not had any problems being overweight and having an abdominal incision.

Good luck to you.

Hi there!

I am also decidedly on the fluffy side. In my case, they elected to do a panniculectomy (procedure to remove some of the fat on my lower abdomen) along with the hysterectomy, because they were doing a horizontal incision. They had also said I would probably have a "T" - shaped incision.

I woke up with only one horizontal incision, but it was hip-to-hip. They left it mostly open so that it would heal from the inside out.

I used the binder they gave me in the hospital. It was like a wide Ace bandage with velcro at both ends. It felt great and it also helped keep my surgical dressings in place because I react very badly to adhesive tape.

We women "of size" do tend to get more infections and other problems after surgery, but that doesn't mean that you will. Be very careful about keeping the incision area clean and as dry as possible. I was told to simply stand in the shower and let the warm water cascade over the incision area -- never let it hit directly. Use a clean washcloth every time you shower to reduce the chance of contamination, and use only the very mildest of soaps if you use any at all on the area. I was to do this once per day, and then lie on the bed and allow the entire area to air-dry -- no towels were to be used (again, no chance of being contaminated that way). Then dh changed my dressing each morning.

In the evening, I used a clean, wet washcloth to dab at the area once more, then let that air dry, and then dh changed my dressings again each night. (There's a special place in heaven for guys like that, believe me. )

Hope this helps. You're in a great place for support!

My incision is at the bottom of my roll. It was several days following surgery before I could lift my abdomen enough to see the incision. My doctor had me place a dry folded wash cloth in the area to keep moisture away from the incision. I too had to have my mom check it for me for a few days.

Wow, I like posts like this when I feel like I actually know something. I am quite fluffy I am 5' 9" and weigh 251 pounds. I carry it really well, but I have a what I like to call it a Gushy Belly. I have had 4 abdominal surgeries. My first was a C-section at 285 pounds. I did get a post - op infection with this one and they had to leave it open to Heal from the inside out. But I had labored for 36 hours and had the flu on top of that. The second time I went in for a c-section I was 260 pounds. I expressed my concerns with my doctor and he said if he felt the need he would put drains in. Never had a drain and did fine. Pay attention to your incision though. Make someone look at it daily. If there is any redness or oozing CALL YOUR DOCTOR AND DEMAND ANTIBIOTICS! That is wht I did the second time around it started getting pink so I called the doctor and everything was fine. If you are really large they normally will put a drain in just to help you heal. My mom and her partner recently had gastric bypass and are doing well. Her partner also had a TAH in december due to a 5 month size tumor in her uterus. She had some drains and she was fine!
Express yuor concerns with your doctor - remember they work for you, and Fluffy people are people too!
Good Luck!
My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Rachel

8 days and counting!