Question:
Can I calculate what size I'll be in a year from now?

Okay, this might sound silly... Next year I'm going to Scotland to study abroad for a year. I'm saving up all my money to go and stuff. Well, today I was in Dillards and noticed that there are racks full of clothes for 75% off. Most of the name brand shirts were around $5.00 a piece. Being I'm planning to go to the UK I figured I should start buying clothes that I see on sale. The problem? I don't know what size to get? Is there a way to figure out what size I will wear? I hate to pass up those great deals when I know I'll need to save money. I'm 5'11 and had lap RNY 5/7/02. Started out at 375 pounds and now weigh 300 pounds. Is it just stupid to buy clothes now? Help! Thanks a million!    — Sarah K. (posted on August 28, 2002)

August 27, 2002
Hi Sarah. I'm 16 months post-op and down 170+ pounds. I am 5'8". I don't know how you could calculate your size, but i know I bought some things on sale pre-op as "goal clothes" in sizes XL and L from regular stores. I got into that stuff about at about a year, some a little before that. I think, though, with tops you could stock up on cheapo t's and sweatshirts and just wear em big if you are a couple of sizes smaller. I prefer comfy sweatshirts over skin tight slut shirts, anyway! For me, I started at a 5x t-shirt and now i'm in xl and l shirts. However, once plastic surgery takes the evil excess skin, i'll go down one or two more sizes (i carried all my weight on my torso). Pants would be hard to judge, I'd hold off on those until you are really close to leaving. This summer I bought three pairs of shorts and they are falling off of me now. So, even at a year out, you might still be loosing quite a bit. Did this even help??? I feel like I'm just rambling.. i need coffee. -anna
   — Anna F.

August 27, 2002
I started out at 339 had Lap on 1/16/02 am now 227. I was wearing a 4x now I am down to some xls and 1x, I am rather chesty ..I would think you would be safe buying xl shirts but forget it for pants I was 3x, also carried all my weight in my torso, now down to 1x a 24 in regular blue jeans, but my size changes quite rapidly within these past 2 months and who knows what size I will be in 2 more months, I did buy shirts on clearance long ago that now fit so I do understand your point, I love a sale!!
   — kittycat

August 28, 2002
Personally I don't think there is any way you are going to be able to guess fairly accurately what you may weigh next year. Just save your money somewhere safe and buy clothes before you go. I know I'm very surprised at my size this year. We never know how much we are going to lose and our shape. I weighed 319 last year. And four months ago I was 182 and can't seem to lose anymore (hanging at 170-174 for the last couple of months). Yet I'm getting smaller despite "no weight loss for two months". Last year I wore 3X shirts... and yesterday I bought a small jacket (still seems alittle big). I have'nt wore a small or medium since I was 12 or 13. Then I weighed 123 (not 170)! I don't think there is anyway we can tell. Plus I think they've (clothing manufacturers) been "playing with the sizes" anyway. Just save your money and buy them shortly before you go.
   — Danmark

August 28, 2002
I'd just wait and buy stuff in Europe! The clothing choices are fantastic in Europe, even Scotland! You'll be going to London I'm sure, and the clothes are to die for!!! I bought some beautiful Irish sweaters for about $30.00 while we were traveling throughout Europe--my sweaters retail in the states for about $100! Like I said earlier--I would scrimp and save and spend the cash in Europe! Good luck--I'm so jealous of your trip to Scotland!!!
   — jenn2002

August 28, 2002
HI Sarah, Being from England myself. I would buy clothes here. It is very very expensive to buy over in GB. Hope you have fun. I only get to go back home every other year. Enjoy every moment. Best wishes Sarah
   — sarah C.

August 28, 2002
You could always pick up a couple of different sizes if they're only $5.00 each! You'll wear them all eventually on the way down :-)
   — mom2jtx3

August 28, 2002
It is hard to tell. My surgeon suggest that the average is 20 - 25 pounds a month for the 1st 2 months and then 10 - 15 for the next 8 months and then it can slow to 5 a month. However, everyone is different !!! I lost 38 pounds in 6 weeks and 66 in 12 weeks...a little more than the average. I would guess you would be down 100 more pounds in a year. I think I am going to Dillard LOL!!!
   — Sharon H.