How to see your progress with your own eyes NOW

On a lighter note. This is something I tapped out a few days ago and have been meaning to post for a long while.

 

Through BF and just being a general “people person" I talk to a lot of post-ops in a given week. One comment I hear a lot is “I can’t SEE my progress."

 

While part of that has to do with how rapidly we are changing and the time it takes our brains to catch up, I can say with confidence that there are a few things we can do to help our eyes see our successes.

 

These are just suggestions! If you don’t feel they apply to you, feel free to disregard. Here are a few things you can  do RIGHT NOW to help see your progress.

 

Look at the number on your clothing label – is it too big?

 

This is the most common thing I see with post-ops. You don’t want your clothes too tight but you also don’t want them to be way too large either. It can be anxiety inducing to go down clothing sizes. Believe me, I understand. If it helps, “test drive" a new size with a super affordable outfit (Wal-Mart, Target, Goodwill, etc.) before diving into a new size. As always, don’t buy TOO much of a new size. As you are shrinking things will change fast. But if something is two sizes too big, it’s time to take a step down.

 

Ladies: Are you wearing a good bra?

 

I know these Genie bras are all the rage. In my opinion they don’t do the female figure many favors unless you already have perky boobs. If you don’t (and I don’t) then you need to investigate some other options. Good bra does NOT have to = discomfort. What a good, well-fitting bra WILL do is lift your breasts up so that you can see that thing that has been shrinking called your WAISTLINE!!! Most of the time when I see women who feel they look frumpy, it is because their boobs hang too low, you can’t see their waist and so all their other curves don’t look like good curves at all. Invest in a bra fitting. Many department stores do them. And for goodness sakes, LISTEN to the pro’s!!! If they tell you that you are a certain size, that’s probably the size you are.

 

Men: Check your jackets

 

This is the biggest thing I see with men: they tend to wear either jackets or polo-type shirts that are too big!!! Make sure your shirts are the correct size and that your jackets are not tents that swim around you. As you get smaller, your jackets can get a bit more fitted. If you are gun shy about picking a good jacket for yourself, ask your wife to help you OR go to a place that has staff that can help you. I literally saw 20 lbs. melt off a guy in a store when he was given a better fitted jacket.

 

Women: Are you dressing for your shape?

 

Before WLS I was an hourglass. Now I’m more like a pear. This is devastating to me in some ways, because I liked SAYING I had an hourglass figure (even if it was a size 26 one). I’m getting over it! The larger point is that a pear and an hourglass (or someone who isn’t very curvy at all) shouldn’t attempt the same types of outfits. I have big, round hips and a smaller waist, so I tend go with high waisted skirts or belted looks that play up my waist and emphasize my hips and butt (cuz I’m a ham like that). You don’t necessarily have to “sex it up" but at least KNOW your shape and dress accordingly. It helps!

 

Anyhoo…any other tips folks have, share them! But those are a few things I keep noticing. If you want to SEE your new figure, you have to make it visible!!!

I SO very much needed this today!!
I am mentally going through the changes, not realizing the changes, over looking my changes, and so many people in my life want to slap me bc I dont realize!

I agree buy clothes that fit.  I have been wearing my old clothes with modifications becasue I did not want to spend money since I was shrinking so fast.  Believe me I did it once and it cost me.  I have lost 4 dress sizes since April/May 2011 even though I did not lose the weight during that time, but the inches were just flying off.  I bought a skirt in April and by June it was falling off.  I decided at that point it was time to go to a thrift store and I hate shopping.  Probably because could never find anything that fit.  I would just buy what size I knew wore and try it on after I got home.  Now I can see something I want and try it on and it fits without even worrying about it not being made in my size. I have had to learn to get out of the habit of buying the "moo moos" and "tent" dresses and start buying stuff to fit my body.  Since I have started getting clothes in my size more people are seeing how much weight I have actually lost, even me.  :-)
I agree with Nik that the br size is an important factor in your clothes and how they fit.  I use to have those "perky" breast before I had kids and when I was younger but at my age, they were being held up by my belly which is gone down so they are just like a cow's utter.  "Got milk?"   .  I tell my young ladies no matter how big or small you are, you must wear a bra, and the right fitting one.  If you don't you will pay later and you will wish you had worn it.  The right fitting bra does make all the difference in the world. 

I use to buy my pants to fit my hips/buttock and they were always too big for my waist.  Finally I am able to get pants that fit both places at the same time.  I have a little more to lose but I am really happy with my body now.  The right fitting clothes will change your mood drastically, I am here to tell you.

The Bra fitting is one of the best ideas.  We have an Anns Bra Shop in our area.  That is all they sell.  It is also a masectomy center.  These ladies know boobs, they are not your avg victorias secret or lane bryant worker who carries a mesureing tape.  They actually fitted me. Helped me put it on and adjust it.  We went through several bras before she found the one that felt the best on me and she felt it did the job it was suposed to.  It did cost, but I only bought 2 (one sports bra and one everyday one) But let me tell you.  It was worth every cent, my girls are perky (at least in the bra) and my back is not bothering me near as much. 

I have lost almost 60 lbs, and I have a problem breaking one bad habit. In the old days, if something fit, I had to buy it just because it fit. There were no a lot of flattering clothing options that actually fit.

Now when I have choices, I still have the urge to buy an item only because it fits not because it is the most flattering.

I also will chime in that a well-fitting bra makes a HUGE difference in the way your clothes look.