Question:
How do you figure out what size you will wear at goal?

I think it would be fun to buy a 'goal' pair of jeans (from the thrift store). Problem is I have NO idea what size I will wear once at goal (never been there):-) I know everyone is built differently but if I could get an approximate size to expect on a 5'6" medium frame, that would be fun. If anyone can help, thanks!    — Cheri M. (posted on November 27, 2001)

November 27, 2001
I think the best way to tell what your goal size should be would be to look at your thin relatives. What size does your thin sister wear? Be sure to compare apples to apples, so only compare yourself to someone of the same height and build. I am 5'9" and asked my mom what weight she was in college, since she's my same height and build and looked really great in college. She said she was 160. I asked my surgeon what he thought, and he said I would look good anywhere from 155-180, or somewhere between a size 12 and a size 16. I personally don't want to buy a "goal" pair of jeans, because I'm too afraid I would get depressed if I never made it into those jeans, even if I looked really good regardless. Well, good luck to you, whatever you choose to do.
   — Terissa R.

November 27, 2001
Try 7 or 9. Of course, no guarantee if THIS pair will fit your build the day you get there, but glad you are doing the thrift store. If you get a pair with small waist & large hips, what if that is not you? But at least you'd have a target to shoot for!
   — vitalady

November 27, 2001
Bad plan! You could be needlessly setting your self up for disappointment. Whatever your goal is, you might not make it. My two best friends and I all had rny's and we all follow the "rules" and none of us met our goal. We did great and we're thrilled; but we're all a size or two away from our pre-op goal. Now, if you do reach goal, and I hope you do. There's no way of determining what size you will wear. You could get down to a 130 but still need a size 12 due to excess skin. You might lose more on the top than on the bottom...as I did. Also, we tend to have heavier bones so our weight is deceptive. Sometimes we actually wear a smaller size, that would seem possble based on what we weigh. And Jeans are the most difficult of all to fit...for anyone! When I was in my quick loss period, I would buy an outfit two sizes smaller and try it on every monday morning....what a thrill it was when it actually fit!!! Also when I could wear the smaller outfit, that was my signal that my other clothes were too big and baggy! It was time to shop!
   — [Anonymous]

November 27, 2001
I had a similar plan to the previous poster. Every time I bought clothes I would buy one outfit that I could get into but that was tight and uncomfortable. Every week or two I would try to get into it. Lo and behold after a few weeks I could always wear it! If you have a strong constitution it may be OK to buy an 8 as "goal pants" but for me it would have been very hard to not be able to get them on at all. I still see the size 22 in the mirror, so I have to be careful about things like that. Good luck whatever you decide to do. I think you are on the right track of making it FUN. It IS fun! I NEVER thought I would fit my wide butt into a size 6, but I did last week. AND a guy did a double take when he saw me!
   — ctyst