Clothing after surgery!!!!

I am still pre-op and have major concerns that i won't have clothes after surgery. I have been to a couple of thrift stores and bought a couple different sizes of dresses and a couple different size pants but who knows if I'll ever be able to wear them (which would be a total waste of money) but I can't wait until the last minute to shop b/c I only get paid once a month (great state of NC only pays  monthly). I asked one of the ladies at work if she would bring me her clothes the next time she cleans out her closet and she said "I usually give them to the thrift store" so I guess that meant "no, you can't have them". I don't know what to do and I don't want to look like a slob at work by wearing clothes that are too big or too small. Comments, answers...................... PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

Just remember everyone loses differently.  For alot of us it is not dramatic the first month espically if you are a light weight,  under 260 as compared to some who is 350 but it evens out much later in weight loss.  It also seems that losing with by pass and I am not sure about lap band people, but it seems we lose all over as compared to the way we had lost before.  It is really weird.  First it seems the face of course when you look at pictures and the all over puffiness.  Really I believe just some dress slacks that stretch or have elastic in your basic white, navy, black or gray is what I have done all along and change out shirts.  Don't worry about cost because when you get started lossing that first 8 months nothing last long enough to look worn! LOL  So shop wal mart.  Honestly do not invest alot of money in clothes this first year.  I got my mom to pick up this cute little fusha colored tropical print shirt and nickers from the beach shop last year.  It was tight, only a month out  at the time, and I though well maybe it will look good next spring.  Well it is next summer now and still in the top of my closet...... way to big!!  I went from a 24 down to 4 and 6's now.  I just keep shaking my head saying they have change the size scale just to get ladies to buy. You will honestly see changes for sure about every 2 weeks.  Even if the scale isn't moving the inches are....Promise.

You will drop clothing sizes like crazy, I feel for you and I am lucky enough to work at home and do not have to buy office clothes anymore. I give all my clothes to people in our little support group we have and everyone shares each others sizes as we start to shrink. I am a big Walmart/Target fan and Ive tried wearing belts with pants that went from fitting fine to way to big, I hope you find some people that can give you some clothes to help you out!! You could also put aside money every month since you are still Pre Op and then you will have your shopping fund for some new threads for work and at least you would know what size you needed best of luck to you!!

Thanks for the info. I looked at your vaca pics, cute. I noticed you don't have any yucky hanging fat, Where is it?

Hi Rachel,

I have to say that I have become a Goodwill/Thrift/Consignment convert. I hardly buy anything new. I went from wearing a size 20/22 this time last year to wear a size 8/10 dress and 4/6 pants this year. I was just telling my husband today that I have to clean out my closet again. I think if you 'budget' some for clothes, you'll be fine. Clothes at GW and Thrift stores tend to average about 3.50 to 4.50 a piece. If you set aside $20 to 40 a month, you should be able to keep yourself in tops and slacks. It takes more time to shop at a thrift or GW, but it can be done and I have to tell you that I wear some KILLER clothes these days ... Just ask the ladies that went "Goodwill Hunting" with me a couple of weeks ago.

You can contact the GW and thrift stores by phone and ask them if they separate out their plus sizes ... some do and some don't. If you check my profile, you will notice that for a time I used to track my weight on a table and I would log when I dropped sizes. I switched to a different type of tracking and didn't log it after a while, but you will also see my sizes drop if you look a my photos and I often will say what size I'm wearing. That might give  you a general idea of 'how fast' you might be changing sizes even if your start point is higher or lower than mine.

Congratulations and good luck,

Barb

I agree with everyone to put aside a little money every month as when the seasons change, so does your wardrobe and it is hard to guess what size you will be and when.    Another place I shop which is very reasonable is Ross.  I will put their link at the bottom if you would like to find a store near you.    I have purchased dresses there for 19.99 (and they don't look cheap..u just have to dig) and capris for 10 bucks and tops from 5 to 12 bucks.   Since my wt loss, it has become one of my favorite store. http://rossstores.findlocation.com/results.aspx?state=NC&sea rch_param=lu&page=map Good luck, Pam

I became a thrift store junkie!  Thrift stores, Goodwill, and sometimes Ross, TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart, etc.  When I buy new though, it's almost always from the clearance racks.  It just isn't worth spending a lot of $$ when you probably will only be able to wear it for a little while.  I agree, your best bet is to put $$ aside when you can, because you don't know what type of clothes you'll need when.  I learned early on to only buy for my current size.  Don't stress too much about it.  It's actually a fun experience to go shopping and realize that you're a size smaller than you thought!  :)

I only get paid once a month also and it sure is the pits.  At least they're willing to pay for the surgery!  As said above, don't go crazy and start buying clothes in advance.  I shop e-bay a LOT and find some really neat things there, and cheap!  I usually buy the size I am now, and estimate next month or so, a size smaller.  Especially the first year...things will go quickly.  I don't know where Roper is, but hopefully there is a support group nearby and you might be able to pick up some hand-me-downs.  Best of luck to you,,,,,,,everything will fall into place just fine.   Nancy