Question:
Can you help me guesstimate what size I will be wearing?

I got a date for WLS . . . 6/5/yipee! The big question is my son is getting married on 10/17. I will be about 4.5 months post op RNY/LAP. I saw a dress I really liked and I don't want to miss the chance to get it. I don't know what size to buy . . . I am now 325lbs. 5'8" BMI 50 and a size 30. Please help me quesstimate a size! Thanks, Michele :)    — Michele D. (posted on April 1, 2003)

April 1, 2003
I thought that when I got to 200 pounds I would wear the same size I did the last time I was 200 pounds. I am about a 1/2 to a full size bigger now. I still have a closet full of size 16 clothes that won't fit (except 1 pair of jeans) and 18/20 shirts that won't close over my boobs. All my skin/fat has shifted and my body just isn't the same. I am 5'4", was 315 pounds at my surgery date, and wore a size 30. Guesstimate a little larger than you hope to be by your sons wedding day, and have the dress you want altered then. You can never really tell what your body is going to do. It is a lot easier to take away material than it is to add it...... Good luck!
   — salymsmommy

April 1, 2003
i don't believe anyone can do this. Not even you. people are so different body shapes and etc. I see on here all the time people weighing 200 lbs and wearing a 16 or 14. When I weighed 200 lbs, i wore a size 22. Everyone is just so different. I agree with the previous poster. It is easier to take away than to add material. I would buy a larger size and have it professionally altered.
   — Delores S.

April 1, 2003
Oooo, tough call. I can appreciate that you found a really great dress, and this is a truly big event. I always feel for the WLS brides who are trying to guesstimate for their weddings, too -- maybe you'll hear from one of those folks and their experiences with this question. All I know is, I have a closet with all kinds of "guesstimates" that were way off, of things I either already had, or stuff I bought on the way down, when I should've known better! Some clothing remains suitable (okay -- the sweatshirts, maybe!), other stuff has to be culled out of there yet *again*. What I thought would be my final size wasn't, and as the others have pointed out, people who report being the same height and weight as each other often wind up reporting wearing wildly different clothing sizes. Dunno why, but it's hard to even guess future sizes for yourself, let alone others. <P>If you can hold out, I'd wait, and starting hitting the shops in September, perhaps even a consignment shop. No matter what, you will be buying a really nice dress that will be too big on you in the near future. You could lose as much 60-something pounds by 4.5 months out, or more, or less, who knows. And I hate to add this thought, but watch out for that pre-op "last-supper" syndrome -- many folks gain a bit while waiting for surgery, and if that happens to you (I hope it doesn't!), that'd have to be factored into the guesstimate of where you'll be in October (ouch! but reality bites sometimes). Sigh ... it's all pretty tough to predict!
   — Suzy C.

April 1, 2003
I have no idea what size you will be, but keep this in mind. A skilled seemstress can make a dress one or two sizes smaller. It is almost impossible to make it bigger.
   — Amber L.

April 1, 2003
Michelle, Hi there, so you're 5'8 and about 325, hum if I had to guess you're probabbly built a little like myself, maybe more on top (chest wise) how-ever I wore a size 30 pants as well.... when I was pre-op I was 5'10 303 now I dropped an inch in height now 5'9 and 175, I would say in about 4 1/2 months keeping good and exercising, I would think a size 18-20, that would be my guess.... I'm 10 months out and am wearing a size 13-14 pants, depending on who makes them, the tops they're still large, how-ever most of my weight isn't on my chest it's on my back ! ,,, Love those love handles.... I'm trying really hard to rid myself of them.... What I did for Christmas time, seeing I went to (2) Christmas parties, I went to the Mall, and tried on the same dress every other weekend, and low and behold. within 2 weeks I had dropped a whole dress size..... so be careful when you go out and buy a dress........ Make sure it's one that you can bring back........ I know allot of the Bridal Dresses are no refunds or exchanges..... just becareful I almost had one made for Christmas, that would have cost buck to buy first of all and then twice as much to hem..... I would find one, then have them work with you on the sizing, have them not hem or sew anything till around 1 week till the big date......... keep your eyes open..... When you start dropping sizes you'll be amazed of a selection we have.. Congratulations on both WLS and your up and comming Marriage. God Bless You. Post op down 127 pounds around 17 pounds till goal
   — tannedtigress

April 1, 2003
Girl, no one knows for sure...I am 5'11 and 316 I was wearing a 18/20 pants and 22 shirt...everyone body is made differently, my girlfriend 5'8 245 size 22 top and bottom...go figure.....
   — chinadoll_491

April 6, 2003
I am guessing maybe a 24. If it is big you can get it altered. I have always had a strange body. My size matches my weight. I am 373. I wear a size 36. At 250 I wear a 24. 200 I wear a 20. People have said that losing weight after surgery they end up with smaller sizes than losing weight by diet alone.
   — Cameron Van Winkle