Question:
Silly but - am I psychologically attached to my former size???

Hi! I am now about 9 weeks post-op and am ready for some new clothes. I know I should be jumping around with joy (Which I usually do!!) but it gets so frustrating shopping. By my measurements I am an 18 shirt, 20 based on waisst, 22 based on hips. (I was a tight 24 so I am thankful!) But I'm finding that some new things fit well, others do not even by the same manufacturer. I'm just feeling too that whatever I buy I'm going to outgrow (? undergrow?) in a few months anyway so what' the point??? Someone help me get my psyche back under control! I do have some smaller things from before, have bought some things off eBay but haven't had good luck for the most part on eBay or my local clothing exchange. Any advise, or anyone who feels the same please let me know - I feel like a weirdo. =)    — Sarah C. (posted on May 2, 2002)

May 2, 2002
You are not a wierdo. In fact, you think it's odd now, wait until you loose more, and still THINK you should be buying 22's! I have this problem, I think I am bigger than I really am. I wear a 14/16 and still look for clothes in the 22's. Anyhow, I just wore my clothes baggy until I felt I could really invest in some new clothes without feeling like I was wasting my money. Salvation Army is another great place that I found "in-betweens", and you can donate your old stuff as well. eBay is where I sold all of my "too big clothes" and used the money to buy new ones (and a digital camera!). But then I was really successful w/eBay- sales and purchases.
   — Karen R.

May 2, 2002
Oh, girl. I know exactly how you feel. I've started hating having to get dressed in the morning, even more so on Saturday nights when I want to go out and look good. All because my clothes are too big on me. Isn't that a change??? A good one, you'd think. And yes, I am thrilled to have lost a total of 35 inches already, but really...I am starting to look like a serious shlump. The other day I had to change my shoes at the last minute to higher heels so that my pants wouldn't gather on the ground! I just can't bring myself to spend the money on new clothes. I'm only 11 weeks, down 57 pounds, but much, much more to go! Out of desperation, I bought two pairs of pants at Wal-Mart. I didn't like how they were cut...and frankly, just not my style. I don't know whee you live, but here in New York, the weather is kind of wacky this time of year. It's cold, it's hot, it's cold again. So, I figure I am just going to walk around with my pants falling off of my hips until I know it will be summer for sure. Then, whether I want to or not, I will spend the money on some clothes that will get me through those warm months. If I don't I am going to look really silly. :) If you get any ideas, let me know!
   — PaulaM

May 2, 2002
I developed a simple formula for shopping for clothes until I reach my goal weight. I shop only "sales" and I spend $20 or less for pants/skirts and $10 or less for tops. Whenever I find a really good sale (like tops for $6), I buy several in different colors. Also, a lot of the new capris pants for spring /summer have stretch in them, so you can buy them a little smaller and wear them longer. I hope this helps you!
   — Wendy H.

May 2, 2002
Hi Sarah. First of all congrats on your surgery and I wish you a very pleasant journey. I am a super shopper and I love to look good which is hard sometimes at 355. I have been shopping discount racks for clothes at least 2 sizes smaller on down and have found some items under $10. Also, it might be a good idea to buy stretchy type of pants & skirts that are snug at first so that they'll last a bit longer. Well, at least that's my plan. Good luck.
   — lturman

May 2, 2002
For places like your local clothing exchange, Goodwill, ARC, etc. it helps to go about once every week or so. They have new things coming in all the time. It does take some time, but you can save a bunch of money if you're willing to go through all the racks to find even a few things that will work for you. Also, if you see something you like in a size or so smaller, go ahead and get it so you'll have something as the pants you're wearing now start to get really baggy.
   — garw

May 2, 2002
Spandex!!!! Walmart, Kmart and stores like them all carry spandex blue jeans. Believe me when I tell you that they will shrink and strech to amazing proportions! I had a size 22 that I wore when I was an 18 and when I was a 26...I kid you not. After they come out of the dryer you cannot tell they were on a size 26 body..( my current size, I'm still waiting for a date). They are $16.97, often on sale and come in many colors. They also carry spandex shorts and sport bras. Spandex is amazing stuff! Also, you can try taking them to a resale shop when you are done or selling them on ebay to get some of your money back....to buy new and smaller stuff of course! Congrats!
   — cherokey55

May 2, 2002
Girl I completely understand ! I have went from a size 20 to a size 10 and now I am edging towards an 8. The problem is I keep thinking with each size change that I really dont want to get rid of the clothes I am currently wearing ??? Weird huh. Plus my style is changing DRASTICALLY ! Everyone says how much fun it will be to shop but I find it exhausting to purchase everything including new underwear etc. Now with all of this said I will tell you it gets better as you get closer to goal. I also recommend buying as little as you can to get by for right now. You are gonna love being half your size. Good luck
   — Ronda L.

May 3, 2002
sarah i too, was very emotionally attached to my 'hide my fat clothes'. so much so that i looked like a clown in them. it was causing me to have a blind spot to my weight loss & i could not see 'me' as everyone else was seeing me. thanks to 2 very dear wls sisters/friends, i 'forced' myself to remove all the 'too big' clothes from my closet & house & drag out the 'i am going to wear this one day' wardrobe i had in the back of the closet. after 3 days of wearing properly fitting clothes i saw in the mirror what everyone else saw when they looked at me. i cried. i think what u r feeling is normal, but, i beg u to give up those 'other persons' clothes & get ur own lol. as other posters have suggested to u, u dont need to spend alot of money on new clothes but, what u do spend will be well spent just for the effect on ur ego. good luck to u hun & keep up the good work!
   — sheryl titone