Dress Size
I had lost 50lbs post surgery by my 3 month check-up. It can be very variable... Not sure why you are asking- Do you have to order a dress? Safely one size probably 2 sizes. If this is for a bridesmaid dress or something though, their sizes often run smaller, so you might not be a 20W in those kind of sizes.
Cynthia 5'11" RNY 7/23/2014
Goal reached 17 months. 220lb Weight Loss
Plastic Surgery Dr. Joseph Michaels - LBL and Hernia Repair 2/29/16, Arm Lift, BL, 5/2/16, Leg Lift 7/25/16
#lifeisanadventure #fightthegoodfight #noregrets
I've read one size down for every 20 pounds lost. This story is not directed at anyone and off-topic, but "blowing off steam": my DD had to purchase a bridesmaid dress a year in advance. She had the brilliant idea to order a size smaller to give her incentive to fit into it by the time her friend's wedding rolled around. Between dress alternation fees, unpaid time off for a shower/bachelorette party/rehearsal/, gifts, and travel/motel each time, the honor of being a bridesmaid was not hundreds but thousands of dollars.
It is much easier to alter a dress to a smaller size compared to the other way around. Planning for my wedding dress 6 months after my surgery was probably the most stressful part of my wedding planning. I rolled the dice buying a dress off the rack but you are at the mercy of what is available at that time in that store. Even choosing a dress 4 months before the wedding I was still unsure of size. I picked 2 sizes smaller than what fit and lucky for me the dress was big when I went for alterations.
I would get 2 sizes smaller and then have it altered if it is still too big. Err on the side of caution. With the larger sizes, many people have to lose a lot before going down in size. Now if I gain 5 pounds my clothes are too small.
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
I have found this very challenging. Clothes fit me differently coming down than they did going up. At this weight going up I was squeezing into a 16. Coming down 14's are getting "baggy butt". Some might be a change in the sizing, but my body is shaped differently (no butt and thinner thighs) that when I was putting the weight on.
I needed a dress for my son's wedding and waited as long as I dared and guessed. It was a little bit big on me, but I made it work. Unfortunately, I think it's just a guessing game buying too far out.