Question:
I feel so srange wearing some clothes!

I've lost 168 pounds and am down to 195 now. Yesterday I went to my son's spring concert and wore a new denim skort. It comes to just above my knees.(it looks like a skirt). It's so cute and I love it but I felt like I must surely be dressed wrong or that I must be rediculous to think I could wear that. It's a size 18 and my hubby and son both thought it looked good. I really felt on the spotlight and was uncomfortable when I had to walk past the bleachers full of people. Nobody said anything to me to make me feel like that so it must just be the fact that I've never been able to wear such a outfit. Anyone else having feelings like this when it comes to clothes? Will I eventually get used to it? Hopefully this to shall pass! Thanks, Deb    — Deb H. (posted on May 16, 2002)

May 15, 2002
Hi Deb, I sure hope we get used to it. I have gone from a size 32 to a loose 6. Everytime I buy a new outfit or walk into a room of people I feel uncomfortable and wish I could cover up to my neck. No one has ever said anything to make me feel that way or has ever said anything ugly. I just don't like feeling like I'm being stared at. I don't know that they are staring, but it sure is weird. I want people to notice that I've lost weight and look better--but please don't look at me!
   — Lucy B.

May 15, 2002
I hope the feeling passes too. I feel like I'm on display in front of people and there probably whispering about me and my outfits. When I go to a store and start picking up size mediums and size 10's, I keep waiting for the store police to come and escort me back up to the Plus Sizes department where I used to belong!!
   — Patty H.

May 15, 2002
Wow you and I are practically twins. I was 372 (according to my Dr's scales) and had surgery 1/24/01. I am right behind you at 205 lbs. And I do feel the same way. Of course we have to buy new clothes, our others would fall off. And now in our size we cannot buy the frumpy fat wear that we used to simply because clothes our size are more stylish. But it doesn't stop me from feeling like others think I am "bragging" or showing off now. But I know it is all in our mind. I LOl at the first poster, I agree, compliment me on my weight loss but don't look at me!!! ha ha exactly the way I feel. It sure is better than the feelings I had 18 months ago though. Best of luck and keep up the great work.
   — Sue B.

May 15, 2002
Hey, Deb, I just wanted to chime in with a big ME, TOO!!! I went from large women's sizes to 3/4 and 5/6's. I still try to shop in the plus section for some reason. Mental, I guess. Maybe we'll get used to it, eventually. But it's a great thing to _have_to get used to!! Love, Donna in AL
   — Donna S. C.

May 15, 2002
I know exactly what you mean. I can relate to the "store police" that one of the previous posters was referring to. I feel like I have no business in the regular depart of the clothes section. Last week I was looking for a spring jacket as we are still waiting for spring here in Norther Michigan! My husband told me that my one from last year looked rediculous and that I need to get a new one. It is a size large, but it is hanging on me. So I went in search of a new smaller one. I tried on a Medium and I thought it fit good. But I no longer trust my own judgement on this so I got up the nerve to ask the salesgirl her opinion and was just waiting for a tactful "give-me-a-break-lady" kind of answer. I just knew if was coming when she didn't answer right away and then she finally gave it to me......it was too short in the sleeves! I am 6' tall, so EVERYTHING is too short in the sleeves. I left that store and went on to Walmart only to find 2 jackets that were regular sized. As I was looking in the mirror with one of them on a gentleman came over and offered his unsolicited opinion. "Fits you perfect except that the sleeves are too short!!!" I almost died laughing.
   — livnliter

May 15, 2002
I am one of those people who pre-op never felt that anyone was staring at me or laughing at me. Post op I still don't feel that way. However, when I get a size 18 to take in the dressing room, I do feel that the whole world is laughing and saying who does she think she is kidding. And I feel absolute shock when it fits. It's the terrible feeling before the dressing room, that makes the after the dressing room feeling so great. I don't know if I will ever get over feeling like a fake, but it is important to remember where you came from.
   — faybay

May 15, 2002
Yes, it's definitely in your head. I always think of myself as huge even now, after having lost 180+ lbs. The last few months have been very healing however. I wear a size 18 right now (like you!) and I started a job cashiering at Wal*Mart a few months ago. I see the ladies that buy the size 18 clothes and see that I do not consider them fat. Maybe slightly chubby, but not fat or obese by a long shot. This has helped me gain a more realistic appreciation of my actual size. I wear clothes now that I never would have dared wear a year ago! For example, I now wear: shirts tucked in, swimming suits, nice fitted bras (rather than "sports bras" that are one-size-fits all!), business suits (buttoned up!), sexy dresses, etc. For the first time in my adult life, I feel normal!!!
   — Terissa R.