Question:
Any suggestions on how to handle rapid clothing size changes?
I'm 3 weeks post-op and the weight is starting to come off fast. I'm at a point where I have to consider buying smaller sizes in clothing but won't my size just keep changing. I don't want to waste a lot of money. How did you handle this? — Jardee (posted on April 12, 2010)
April 12, 2010
Thrift stores and consignment shops. I've been a fan of them for a long,
long time...even before WLS. I find some great buys there. Everything
from casual wear to the suits I wear to work. Nothing (other than weight
loss) compares to the high I get when I leave a shop with a suit worth over
hundred dollars purchased for $5.00
— Caribou ME
April 12, 2010
Goodwill, baby!!! If you're like me, you'll go through at least 3 whole
wardrobes full of clothes. I've given so much to ARC, Goodwill and the
Salvation Army that my tax return was amazing this year. Of course, I've
bought myself a few nice things, but only once I became convinced that my
clothes were literally falling off of me. Thank heavens for Walmart! But
truly, the thrift stores are a life-saver. Plus, you might check with your
surgeon...some groups have a clothing exchange set up. I know we do here,
but I've never checked into it, because I'm pretty tall, and most of the
people I've seen are quite a bit shorter than me.
— Erica Alikchihoo
April 12, 2010
Rock a toga they are one size fits all! Bu seriously, Goodwill or
cosignment shops usually have great deals. Also check the local freecycle
in your area. The one around here has clothes being given away daily.
— ScottAD
April 12, 2010
GW Boutique (Goodwill) was/is my favorite place to shop. I have flipped my
closet three times already.
— DeniseHolstege
April 12, 2010
I suggest you buy several ties and belts to gather in the excess material
until you stabilize your weight loss.
— shotseyrudi
April 12, 2010
Find a Goodwill store. Like the others said it is a great way to get what
you need and save money. I find great stuff there all the time. Good luck.
:0)
— sse032568
April 12, 2010
Thrift and consignment stores are a great place. Another option is to go to
yard/garage sales. You can usually find some nice clothing cheap - you just
might have to look through everything. I had RNY in October and I've
dropped 5 sizes already. I refuse to spend good money on brand new clothing
when I'm not going to wear it that long.
— hollysmiles2001
April 12, 2010
I found a buddy who had surgery before I did. She is very generous in
giving me the clothes that she outgrew and remains a size smaller than me
still. So....maybe there is someone out there that could do the same for
you or could offer clothes at a reduced price. Alot of my friends clothes
were only worn once or twice. Also....right now as you get smaller
too.....there are alot of good sales out there. Especially at
Kohl's....you can often get tops especially were inexpensively....with
coupons and such. Good luck.
— Lezlie S.
April 12, 2010
Check out local reviews of thrift shops. Some are really good at displaying
clothes according to size while others just throw them out there.
I go to a local charity thrift store that is very well organized and
usually has a great selection - lots of Polo shirts & Levi Jeans. I
find that our local Salvation Army stores aren't organized well at all but
the local DAV and Goodwill stores are. Happy hunting!
— Mike A.
April 13, 2010
have some of your clothes taken in. I usually pay $5.00 and i get my pants
taken in. this way i could still use my own clothes.
— Chris O.
April 13, 2010
Personally I just go shopping. This is what we have been waiting for. I
love going in and trying on smaller sizes. I buy them tight and within a
month they are loose. I just bought two pair of size 16 pants this
weekend. Six months ago I was a size 26. I have bought about 2-3 outfits
in each size along the way. We all know we can wear about 2-3 sizes
anyways. I had a bunch of clothes that were too small before I started so
I have had plenty of options. In my opinion, you have to celebrate each
new victory as you lose weight. I say go for it and just keep feeling good
about it.
— kellyskomments
April 13, 2010
Check with your hospital and see if there is a local WLS support
group...Often they have a clothes swap...If they don't...start one
yourself! Otherwise, only buy sale stuff and thrift shop/yard sale stuff
for now...Trust me when I say, don't spend on a new wardrobe until about
year two after you have maintained your weight for several months...I went
out and spent thousands of dollars on size 14 after I thought I had lost
all my weight after a year...but I countinued to drop very slowly over the
next 6 months down to a size 6 (for abot a day)...Then gained about 8
pounds back up to a 8-10 where I stayed! It was sooo frustrating....Then I
finally settled into about a 10 (up or down one size, depending on the cut)
for the last 6 years...Good luck!
— .Anita R.
April 13, 2010
I do all of the things mentioned - second hand stores, clothing exchanges
at support groups, etc - also eBay is a great place to find new and used
clothes (just watch the shipping charges). I also try to keep several
skirts/dresses in my wardrobe - its not as noticeable when a skirt is
baggy, but sometimes pants look like you're walking with a full diaper! I
also try to have tops in styles that look ok when they are a little roomey.
If money were no object I would buy as much and as often as I need to, but
until I get to my goal weight - I would rather buy as little as I can get
by with and when the time comes - enjoy splurging on clothes I know I will
keep for a long time. I've gone through 12 sizes so far ... and I am in a
20 now - so I still have a LONG way to go. The sizes are coming and going
much quicker now, somedays I wish I could just wear pajamas to work! I do
buy some new clothes here and there, but I try to catch stuff on
sale/clearance and don't splurge at all. When I buy something I make sure
it fits with no extra room because soon enough it will be in the discard
pile. It's hard to part with some of the pretty things - especially when I
am trying not to buy much, but in the long run, I will have a really GREAT
wardrobe eventually.
— Diane324
April 14, 2010
salvation army store. i'm a regular 2$ pants 2$shirts. inow have trunks of
big clothing.
— hanksguns
April 15, 2010
When I had my inital surgery (VBG) in 1997 there was a group of ladies in
one of the now-defunct message boards who were of varying sizes, some being
pre-op, others having recently had surgery and others who had lost almost
all of their weight. We made a date to meet at one member's homes. Some
of us came from a couple of states away while othes were local to the
hostess. Each of us that had already had surgery brought the clothes with
us that were now too big. Everyone laid their "offerings" on
the hostess member's bed and then we spent the next several hours laughing,
running around half dressed (what a concept - to not be ashamed of how you
look because you were with others who understood!), trying on clothes,
giving each other pep talks (as in YES, that really DOES look good on you!)
and the pre-ops found either clothes that would fit them currently OR
clothes they would quickly lose into. It was SO much fun. I have also
participated in clothing swaps at a local support group, bought at
Wal-Mart, bought at resale shops and garage sales. After my revision to
RNY in 2000, I also employed the methods mentioned above AND my mom's ex
mother-in-law helped work an annual fundraiser for a local charity she was
part of and there was a HUGE closet cleaning and lots of goodies to choose
from that was priced very reasonably. I always got good stuff from those
sales as well. Hope some of this helps! If you don't know of a local swap
in your area check out craigslist for your area as well as e-bay! When
trying to figure out what to do with clothing that no longer fits you,
consider donating to battered women's shelters as the shelters sometimes
have problems finding good quality plus size clothing. Hope this helps!
— Kellye C.
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