Shopping vertigo

I am excited about the idea of shopping. About the time I go back to work the dress code is changing from jeans to business casual, so I would have to have bought new clothes anyway. But... I am caught between what size I was, what size I am now, and what size I figure I might be most of the summer. It makes my head spin and I can't figure out what in the world to look at. I haven't even gotten the courage to try anything on! I just wander around trying to figure out what department I should be in! The only place I feel comfortable is the plus sizes and I don't want to buy those--I HAVE them! Except shoes--I felt safe there and bought some really cute 1" heel sandals in a style dressier than I would have worn before. I bought some new makeup too! (What do either of these have to do with WLS????) I bought one shirt which is too small now, and truth to tell, I feel foolish for buying it! But it has 3/4 sleeves, so is sort of cross seasonal--I just take it on faith it will fit at some point! (and of course, it was on sale!) Am I the only disfunctional shopper? Joy -27 lbs

Boy, lady are you and I different! I was born to shop....I love it and take my time and look at everything, BUT the main difference is I shop in resale and thrift stores and get great bargains....I think I mentioned my "incentive closet" before...I have been purchasing great things for resale on eBay and finally went through everything and picked out stuff for myself in sizes from 12 all the way down to 6! (big dreamer there!) But before surgery, I got rid of all my overly big clothing I never wanted to see again, and now for work my favorites are soft straight skirts with elastic waists that fit a myriad of sizes with knit tops or blouses....you can always go find yourself a couple skirts that have elastic waists in a size XL and make it do for quite awhile..... I am not doing to fitted waists and body hugging clothing until I am near goal!

I'm going through that, too and probably spending too much money. Because I started out at 3X, I am still in the plus sizes even though my old clothes absolutely cannot be worn. I decided to get a few things in the 1X area because it was too depressing to wear the old stuff and also the new spring colors are out and I was black as a crow in my obesity depression uniform. I got a few (and probably a couple more of a few than I should) and one suit that can be altered later (no jacket, those are expensive to reconstruct, might as well get rid of it than alter it). Be careful, though, just one week later, I was down a size in the suit I had been looking at. Now I am not allowing myself to go shopping again until the end of next month, just like I am not allowing myself to weigh often. I'm finding my addictive personality could run me into trouble shopping, especially now while my self image is confused. Have you tried www.silhouettes.com? Their clothes are not that expensive AND they include a measuring chart. Just do your measurements and don't be discouraged if you're still in the Plus department. We will be leaving the Plus stores behind soon and it will be a proud day. For now, you need to know you look nice, within limits of your budget of course. Or that's my reasoning. And you're going to have to wear *something* to work. I wouldn't buy ahead too much, you might not like the stuff when you get there and you'll miss the fun of buying it when it fits. Just my two cents. (Or I guess my opinions are so lengthy we should call them my fifty cents. Opinion inflation, you know.) Gano Gano

Hey Gano, I've missed you lately. Hope that means your doing well and back to good health. I tried to email you from OH and it's blocked. I hope something negative didn't happen to cause that!! Hope to hear from you soon, Va

I did kind of drop out there. I see, from reading posts today, that I'm following the board trend of needing to spend more time working on exercise and getting back to normal, not to mention now facing work! I intended to post before my vacation but I was just so tired, tired, tired that it was all I could do to get myself together and pack. After vacation, I'm feeling a little more up to speed but the huge side-effect fatigue is still a factor. I now think it will probably be another month, maybe two before I feel much zip. As per other messages, I am still dealing with some of my other complications and am now well enough to go back to physcial therapy and fix my knee, more fun and games and treatment and time, yech. My email is blocked because I live a very complicated professional life in email and get many, many each day I must deal with. Though I would love to know you all better, I find I don't have the emotional bandwidth. (I'm also going through having to completely form a new company and a lot of stress from trying to deal with how that will affect longterm professional relationships that are almost like family, not to mention the $$$ woes of such a stage). I truly would not want to offend anyone here by being blocked, but I had gotten some strange stuff before doing so, NOT from folks such as yourself, and am well familiar with what can happen on boards. I decided to protect myself a little more from all of that in this area, as I have to work on setting better boundaries, etc. So it's part of my general need to go one step at a time. Thank you so much for checking on me. I truly appreciate it. Best, Gano

Gano, I too have kind of backed off this board. As you alluded to, too many strings in my life pulling me in different directions to devote much time here. Every once in a while someones name will cross my mind, then I have to come back and check in on the folks here who have touched my life. When I see they have kind of dropped off the map I worry. I just wanted you to know that if you ever need someone to bounce things off of about WLS or whatever and need a degree of discretion, just click my private email. Take Care, Va

I Had to post!!!!!! Overly big clothing??????? HAHAHAHA.. Everything I own was skin tight..... I never had any overly too big stuff! ALthough, now, my jeans are getting baggy, and my children are laughin at me and calling me baggy pants. I am walking on the legs of my jeans now cause the big butt and stomach dont take up so much room, and they are hangin low!!!! haha.. I havent shopped at all yet. I wont do that for awhile. When I do need new clothes, I will probably shop resale shops too at first until I reach goal. Why buy stuff in a 16, or 18 to only wear it a month or so, and then its too big!! Ok, yes, I am hopeful to get below a 16... lol....... I havent seen that in years, but its a dream... I just want to be able to walk into any store, and buy something that fits that doesnt have an X in the size!!!! Have a great day all, I am off to see my daughter 3 hours away, and cook her an Easter dinner since she is in college, and wont be home for Easter this weekend. The responsible young thing has to work..... lol..