Question:
Do I need to buy something big for after surgery?

Since I'm at my heaviest ever weight I don't have loose clothing to wear home from the hospital. But people keep emphasizing to wear something loose and comfortable. So do I actually need to go buy some extra large clothing for the weeks just after surgery? How soon does what you already have become loose? Money IS an issue! Thanks    — Laura K. (posted on April 1, 2003)


March 31, 2003
To be honest with you money was DEFINITELY an issue for me as well. I was at my highest weight when I had my surgery too. I wore my biggest sweater I could find with some sweat pants. I don't think I had any "big" clothes either! Just keep in mind the distance from the hospital to your home. If you can make it there and be more comfortable just wearing the bare essentials you will do just fine.
   — Kitty Kat

March 31, 2003
Ok so I forgot to answer your questions above. Gees! I would not run out and buy "larger" clothing. I am 9 weeks out tomorrow and am down 45 pounds. ALL of my clothes are now fitting smaller. They started fitting smaller for me about 3 weeks out. Everyone is different though. It could happen sooner for you. This is what I wore home: my biggest sweater, sweatpants, undies, socks, and shoes. NO bra b/c it is not my favorite article after any surgery. I have lap surgery so my scars were not really a problem for me.
   — Kitty Kat

March 31, 2003
Since I had my husband drive me home, I wore my robe!! He picked me up right in front of the hospital and I just got in the car and went home. I didn't care about what anyone would say if they saw me that way because I was taking a lot of pain meds and I wanted to be comfortable! It makes no sense to go out and buy anything bigger because you will "undergrow" vs "outgrow" them real fast. Save your money to buy clothes later because believe me, you are going to need more clothes!!
   — RODEO CLOWNS S.

March 31, 2003
I was in alot of pain, I never would have been able to bend over to put pants on. I wore my nighty, slippers and a brand new bathrobe and my surgery was in Jan. and it was freezing out. But I was very comfy. Good Luck.
   — Kelly* P.

March 31, 2003
Not only was I at my highest weight before surgery, but I took an extra 15 lbs home on top of that! I wore my regualr clothes home - pair of knit pants (pretty well stretched out from a lot of wear!) and a tee shirt, slippers and a jacket. I had lap RNY so I did wear a bra and undies, plus I was a "lightweight" to start with. I had also gotten a larger size robe for wearing in the hospital, and I really did wear it instead of two hospital gowns. I worked for many years in a hospital and you can go home in your PJs or wear sweats - depends on what is comfortable for you.
   — koogy

March 31, 2003
I had my surgery on 3/20 and here is what I've been doing: I wore sweat pants and tee shirt home with a sweatshirt jacket. And, for the past 10 days I have been wearing sweats and tee shirts around. Do not buy anything and make do with what you have in your closet.... you will begin losing weight immediately and soon enough you will have to worry about buying smaller clothes!! Best of luck to you!
   — teresa M.

April 1, 2003
I would advise all new post-ops to consider getting transition clothing from thrift and consignment shops in your area. You will not stay in sizes too long so why spend good $ on clothes until you reach your goal. Thrift shops are cheaper and good for those early days when the sizes just slip right by. In my area we have alot of really nice consignment shops and even though I am close enough to goal I could go buy new clothing, I still frequent the local consignment shops and am buying gorgeous brand name outfits at a fraction of the cost new.
   — Cindy R.

April 1, 2003
Hi- I was at my highest weight when I had my surgery. I too wore my jammies to and from the hospital. I had a pair of flannel PJ pants and a sweatshirt that I've been wearing for years at night. At 7 weeks post lap RNY and minus 54 lbs, they (and everything else)are falling off me. I bought a robe for the hospital and wore that over the hospital gown. I love the feeling of swimming in my own (fat)clothes-- you'll love it too! P.S.-- Make sure you bring Chapstick with you to the hospital.
   — lizinPA

April 1, 2003
My Dad bought me a Muu Muu/house-dress kinda thing from Stein Mart. When I went there several weeks later they were only around $15-20. I wore mine everyday for 2 weeks. Each day when I would take a shower, it would get put in the laundry and washed and I would just sit around in a robe until it was dry and ready. I didn't go out in public very much those 2 weeks, so I was OK around the house and on the porch. After that, I was able to wear a bra with a little towel over the incision for comfort and since my incision ends way before my waist I didn't have to worry about my pants irritating it. It wasn't very long before the 'normal, everyday' clothes I had before surgery were too big. I still have that Muu Muu and when I need something to just get around the house in, it still works just fine. It's also the kind that can very easily be taken in later down the road, so it can be considered an investment. Don't worry about buying an entire new wardrobe just yet.
   — salymsmommy

April 1, 2003
I don't know about the other posters but I had considerable swelling from water weight gain when I came home from the hospital. Perhaps it depends on the time of the year (this was in July). My surgeon's office had advised getting a few items in a size larger for the first month or so. I got 3 cheapy lightweight nightgowns in 3X (was wearing 2X pre-op) and they were a blessing. I wore them constantly the first month until my regular clothes were looser. I also had to wear a pair of cheap sneakers in a size larger for a while too.
   — LLinderman

April 1, 2003
i had a leak and came home on a feeding tube. while on this feeding tube i did not lose weight. my tubes added some inches around my waist and i did not have but 1 shirt that would fit comfortably. my mom went to walmart and purchased a "big shirt" in one size larger than my normal size. i wore this shirt to my post op appointments with some sweat pants i already had. I also agree with cindy below stating to shop in consignment stores while you lose. and a great way to get rid of the bigger clothes in your closet if you dont donate them, is to sell them on ebay. if money is an issue, this is a great way to put some extra cash in your pocket!
   — roryleigh

April 1, 2003
I agree with the muu-muu, or house dress. You can wear it around the house when you get and it is 'presentable' enough if you get unexpected or expected company. You will probably be able to get several months worth of wear out of it. To me, my comfort was worth the $10. (Money was an issue for me too.) Good Luck on your surgery!
   — dianehanson




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