How tall are you? And other stats

Kathryn, First off, let me say that you're doing great! Then, please allow me to use you as an example of what I've been noticing. Don't be offended--I'm really trying to track down an answer to this phenomenon. You are 2 inches shorter than I am and weigh 10 lbs. more. You have the same body type as me (definitely pear). How do you manage to wear 2-3 sizes smaller than me? I'm 5'3" and currently 204 lbs. I'm wearing 22W jeans comfortably and a 20W if I don't need much oxygen that day. Do you work out a lot? Is it that you have more muscle mass (which is smaller but weighs more)? Again, please don't be offended. I'd really like to know what accounts for these differences in clothing sizes. I'm seeing that it's mostly height differences, but in your case and a few other cases (here, on the main message board, and on the Tx board), height doesn't explain why I'm still wearing so much larger sizes than others at a similar weight. Any insights? ---- Leslie 5'3" 282/204/135

I haven't tried Faded Glory jeans yet. The ones I have are JMS from Wal-Mart. But you're another one who weighed significantly more when you wore a 20W than I do now wearing a 22W. I am very pear-shaped; my behind sticks out pretty prominently. I've always had to get a bigger size jean to accommodate my behind--and then the waist is too big. That may be all it is. Unfortunately, my top is not significantly smaller either. I still have big boobs, so I still have to wear 2X tops. You can see pics of me if you click on my www button below. Look at the side views to see what I mean about my behind. Do you think my body shape explains it? I just feel like something's wrong with me, y'know? ---- Leslie

Hey Leslie, No offense taken! We're all in the same boat here, and I've wondered the very same thing when it comes to height/weight/size combinations. You are progressing so nicely. It's been fun to watch your progress. You're down nearly 80 lbs. in five months...that's fantastic! First of all, let me say that my body must be shifting a bit. I haven't been at this weight for about 14 years, and when I weighed this before, I wore a larger size. I haven't the foggiest why bodies shift and change so much, but I know they do. I have a fairly small waist (compared to my hips, at least) and don't carry much excess around my middle. That might be part of it. Even though we're both pears, the proportions might be different. I do work out a good bit. I usually exercise 4-5 times per week, a mix of Curves and walking. I can tell that I am developing muscle, but nothing shockingly different. I am fairly lucky in terms of very little sagging, though I have been heavy for so long that I know I won't spring right into some taut, tiny body. I will say that the exercise is certainly helping, though I don't notice tons of definition. That's OK with me - as long as in 90-100 pounds, when I am closer to goal, I can see some of that muscle! And if not, well, life will go on. And it might be that you are wearing different sizes simply based on brands and styles. There is so much variation out there. It makes it confusing to say what size you are. At 3 mos. post op, I tried on a pair of black pants in a 16 and they fit awesome. In the same dressing room, the same day, I tried on a pair of size 18 pants, different cut, and couldn't even get them over my hips. So there's no accounting for stuff like that. I also have gotten to the point where I don't like how my big clothes look on me, so I like a more tailored look...which of course allows for smaller sizes. I read earlier where you like your clothes looser. So, it might be a matter of preference in this case...in other words, I might be wearing the same size top as you if I wanted a looser fit. Just a thought. Thanks for asking the question. I've rambled a bunch but those are the ideas that I had. I hope it helps! Take care, Leslie, Kathryn

Thanks so much for your well-thought-out response, Kathryn. I hate it that I let things like this drive me nuts, but I do. I had the surgery for health reasons, but now that my health problems have virtually disappeared, I find myself concentrating more and more on my appearance, size, etc. I'm realizing that one of my previously hidden mental hang-ups is that I want to be "normal." When I was very much NOT normal and thought that it was out of my reach to ever be normal, I was able to not care about it. It just wasn't a factor. Now that I'm getting a lot closer to normal and think I can become completely normal some day, it's actually getting worse for me mentally to try to deal with it. Don't know if any of that makes sense, but there it is. Anyway, I'm going to try not to worry about it so much. I'm moving in the right direction and I'm feeling so much better in so many ways. You are right that there are many variables that determine size. I haven't tried on tons of clothes yet, so I really don't have any idea how size varies from brand to brand. I know that at my biggest I couldn't squeeze into any pants at Wal-Mart (even their 26/28s), but I was buying 26/28 pants from Lane Bryant type places that fit. So since I've only tried stuff on at Wal-Mart so far, I guess I should take it with a grain of salt. I know from previous experience that Wal-Mart's stuff runs small (or I was buying stuff that runs big). C'est la vie! I'll give it some more time and step it up at the gym and see what happens. ---- Leslie

Hi Leslie, This is exactly why I posted this thread; to see how weight and height comes into play. I have to say that your size for your weight seems waaaay off. I would have thought you would be in a smaller size based on your weight! It is so strange to see how much everyone varies so greatly! I would be willing to bet that you are going to be one of those people who drop several sizes all at once, as opposed to one size at a time. Example: I bet you will all together skip 18's and go to 16's. I seriously have this feeling and am not just saying it to reassure you. I also wanted to add this: You said since surgery you have only tried things on at Walmart. Walmart's sizes are not accurate, IMO. Go to the misses section in Filene's or JC Penny and start trying stuff on. The quality stuff is were you will get an accurate picture of your size. I haven't tried on anything in Walmart since surgery and have no doubt that I would need a bigger size if I did. Go try some stuff on and report back! I know it will make a difference. Hugs, Denise

Hello all you August people... Weight at consult: 205 Weight the day of surgery: 205 Current weight: 158 Current height: 5 Current size in pants: 12 petite Current size in shirts: M Body Type (apple, pear, etc): who knows.. just not as round as before... carry most of my weight in lower stomach area... hate it... but its going down... Surgery 8/3/04

Hello, this is really exciting to read all of the information about us. So here are mine Consult weight: 244 Current weight: 168 (-86) Height: 5'5 pants from tight 20 to very comfortable 12 going to 10 Shirt: medium I am a pear - small shoulder- big ... The best thing that happened I lost the big boobs and I am down to a 36B. I love it! I never enjoyed food so much as I do now. I savor every bite - I never thought less can be more! Big Hug to all Birgit

Sorry for the miscalculation - I am down 76 pounds! Oh, well I'll catch the other ten pounds anyway or better I'll loose them and never find 'em again Birgit

Hi Denise and August friends I had my surgery on September 3rd, '04, so I often check how you all are doing. I feel as connected to you guys as I do my September surgery buds. You are a great group here and you are all doing a wonderful job! Here is my info if that helps any of the 5'1" folks out there, and I just wanted to say GREAT QUESTION! I hope you don't mind I am going to post it on our September board to help everyone there who may have these same concerns. Thanks for the inspiration and feel free to stop by and visit us on the September 2004 board! Highest Weight: 237.5 (that I know of) Weight day of Surgery: 228 Current Weight: 175 Current Height: Just under 5'1" Current Size in Pants: 14 Current Size in Shirts: mostly XL Body Type: Alway been an apple, now looking like a deflating balloon Congrats everyone! ~Sue

Here I go: Weight at consult: 264 Weight the day of surgery: 255 Current weight: 169 Current height: 5' 7 Current size in pants: Loose 12 ok 10 Current size in shirts: L or XL depends (Still got big boobs!) Body Type (apple, pear, etc): Proportionate I guess. I always hid it well all over. My main excess skin problem is in my stomach and thighs. My arms were bad but are getting better since the water aerobics. My shoe size went down from an 11W to 10R. Thanks! Charis 255/169/?