Question:
I afraid to get rid of my clothes...
I had Open RNY on April 29, 2002 and I'm down almost 60 pounds and two sizes. I have a professional job, so I have beautiful clothes - slacks, dresses, skirts, etc., but of course they are too big for me now. I am having an issue with giving these away because I can't get over the "don't get rid of your 'fat clothes' because you'll probably gain your weight back" mindframe. I know this is different from anything I've ever done as far as diet issues are concerned. Am I crazy to be apprehensive about getting rid of my "big" clothes? — stacey L. (posted on July 28, 2002)
July 28, 2002
GET RID OF THEM!!! :) I've kept one pair of jeans and one shirt as a
reminder - have gotten rid of everything else - and through here actually.
There are many people who have had this surgery who would probably love
your clothes as they move down in size also. Beats having to buy stuff
when you are losing...and think about it..you WON'T be gaining this weight
back!! Right? Right!! Good luck & keep up the great work!!
— Peg M.
July 28, 2002
You will not need them. See if they can be altered or taken in. Some of
the larger blouses can be tailored (sp) to give them a taperd look and worn
smaller. If not...Make a donation. Find the local childrens home, they
usually need business clothes and they rarely get the large sizes and need
them desperatly for the girls who are going out into the work force. When
these girls turn 18 they are put into a training course that shows them how
to get work. People forget there are "queen size" girls in the
shelters too. Good Luck.
— Pam G.
July 28, 2002
I agree, give them to second hand or alter them. What I tell myself is,
"they're going to be out of style (if) by the time I gain all my
weight back anyway!" Go out and have FUN shopping for some new
clothes!!
— ravikamor
July 28, 2002
A great place to donate your clothes would be your local battered women's
shelter. These women leaves their homes with only the clothes on their
backs. They could really use them.
— Kim B.
July 28, 2002
I'm apprehensive as well about giving away my big clothes. What I will
probably do for peace of mind is put them all in a big box and put it into
storage. Then later when I can finally get over the idea that I am staying
small I can get rid of the clothes.
— Jennifer Y.
July 28, 2002
You should definitely get rid of them! I know from trying to get stuff off
the clothing exchange on this web site that things go fast (usually same
day as the post). I gave a couple of garbage bags full of stuff away at our
local WLS support group and it felt GREAT! Wherever you decide to donate it
(WLS or not) it's like you are getting rid of additional "excess
baggage" (besides weight)! :)
— sheltie
July 28, 2002
Stacey, Thank you for posting this... I have been feeling exactly the same
way about the nice (expensive) clothes I have shrunk out of and I am so
glad to read the responses. I now want to give my large size professional
clothes to someone who really needs them! Blessings,
— Grace M.
July 28, 2002
I second the battered women's shelter idea. I have heard that the
"plus size" clothes are desperately needed. They also need kids
clothes and toys. Anything you would imagine you would need if you took
your kids and left your house QUICKLY to save your life.
— Karen F.
July 28, 2002
I am also having a hard time getting rid of my fat clothes--I have some
beautiful and expensive clothing for special occasions ie the opera,
symphony, dinners etc...I still have the good clothes but I gave all my
other fat clothes away to my sister's neighbour! The clothes look stupid
on me now and I NEVER want to get this or that fat again! I have the good
stuff in a box that I will take to an upscale consignment shop next
weekend. Let's face it--we lost the weight and we have no plans of ever
finding it again!!!!! Just get rid of all of it, don't even save one
outfit for future reference--just give it all away to a women's shelter or
something!
— jenn2002
July 28, 2002
hi stacy!!! I just got rid of 4 lawn bags of fat clothes. i wanted to make
sure they were put to good use. One of my mom's friends is very poor and
only had a total of 4 or 5 outfits. she came over today and took all 4
bags. i had just spent over $400 in clothes in january. there was at least
$1,000 worth of clothes. Get rid of everything, you'll feel much better!!!
— candymom64
July 28, 2002
Selling via EBAY brings great results...I have found I have gotten at least
half (usually more than half) of what was paid for an item in the first
place. I say EBAY them and fund the new clothes! I am not against giving to
charity either way is fine. I do both...
— MF
July 28, 2002
I am pre-op (open RNY Distal on 8/14/02!) and understand exactly what you
are feeling. I have a garage full of gorgeous and expensive clothes, many
suits and professional outfits, that I am afraid to get rid of. My sizes
range from 12 to 34 and represent the last 20 years of my life. It is SO
hard to get into our minds that we really might NOT gain weight again! Can
it really be true?! Is that miracle really possible?! Can we be sure?! I
haven't started purging any clothes, but the "dress for success"
program is a great nation-wide program that collects professional clothes
for poor/homeless women who are getting job training, learning interviewing
skills and starting new jobs. Their website is dressforsuccess.com
I hope that when my weight starts going and my mind starts believing that
I will be able to help these other women change their lives too. They are
particularly in need of large-sized professional clothing and have local
chapters around the country. Congratulations on your surgery- I'll be
there soon too! Happy closet cleaning!!
— Rebecca T.
July 28, 2002
Check out yesterdays questions. There was a lady in search of a few
professional plus sizes outfits for teaching school. The more people who
donate their clothes to the clothing exchange through this site for AMOS
members the better it'll be.
— Shelly S.
July 29, 2002
Another alternative to keeping your clothes is taking them to a seemstress
and having them altered. Me, myself I gave all of my clothes to a women in
my support group that has yet to have the surgery. But after seeing how
expensive it will be to have them altered to a much lower size it might
change your outlook on keeping them. Good Luck :)
— Chris9672
July 29, 2002
Stacey~~Keep your favorite suite or dress from your 'fat' clothes. Then,
donate or put them on the clothing exchange, if you do not need the money
to buy new clothes. If you do then, sell them at a consignment shop or
sell on eBay. Just remember how hard it is to find plus size clothing adn
their are quite a few of us who need clothes to make it to the next size.
Thank you, Janie
— TexFlutterby
July 29, 2002
I understand! I think of all the beautiful fat clothes I've given away
over the years only to find I needed them again after the "diet of the
month" failed. I'm pre-op and framing my mind to believe I will
never, ever need the size I wear now again. Just another thought about what
to do with outgrown clothes...Your local domestic violence shelter always
needs large sizes! They try to help women find jobs and they need
"interview" clothes. Just one more idea. I am so proud of you
for your loss--hang in there! Lori
— Loricat
July 29, 2002
Stacey--my opinion...GET RID OF THEM!!!! You'll be getting brand new
pretty clothes and quit that negative thinking. You've lost 60 pounds so
far which is awesome!!!!!! You can do this...just have a positive attitude
and faith in God to get you through. bambi :o)
— Bambi C.
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