Question:
Do we ever stop the now unconscious

I mean the way we (overweight folks) habitually pull down our shirts etc when we stand up. (I'm curious...)    — Karen S. (posted on July 23, 2001)

July 23, 2001
Karen - I laughed when I read this question. I am 5 1/2 months post-op, down 94 pounds and 26 pounds to goal. I constantly pull at my clothing and while I'm putting on my shirts (T-Shirt type material) I'm ssstrreeechhinnnggg them all the way out as I pull them over my head, chestand tummy. Then, they're so huge! I have got to remember to not to do that anymore! The other day my husband put a shirt in the dryer that I NEVER dry. Well, I could tell it had shrunk and just knew I could never wear it again. (It's a linen material and doesn't stretch) I put it on and much to my surprise - it fit! Somehow my brain hasn't caught up with the fact that regular clothes fit me now. My eyes still see a very fat woman...
   — T.L. S.

July 23, 2001
Great Question!! I work in a Dr's office and day after day I have to bend over to get charts off the bottom shelf only to stand up and "adjust" my clothes. I am scheduled for surgery this Friday (yippeeee) and was wondering this very question. I think I am so used to making tons of adjustments to my clothes everyday that it will take some getting used to. I am looking forward to bending over and standing up and not "adjusting"
   — Elizabeth C.

July 23, 2001
Great question! LOL I'm constanly stretching, pulling, or adjusting also.. I am looking forward to the day when I can wear a shirt TUCKED INSIDE my clothes!! ha ha
   — rinkadinktx

July 23, 2001
To Irma - I've made it to the day of tucking in a shirt and IT FEELS GREAT!!!
   — georgiacarol

July 23, 2001
Oh ... yes! I was the worst at this, would wear nothing that revealed the slightest bulge, which meant that I wore a lot of loose, tent-like "hiding clothes". I would pull my shirt away from my belly and butt, put a pillow in my lap when I sat down, dread walking outside on a windy day because my clothes would outline my body, wouldn't wear anything without sleeves to cover my upper arms. I was soooo self-conscious! But it totally gets better. I've gone from a 24 to an 8 and I wear jeans with tight teeshirts tucked inside, shorts, tank tops, etc. I wear things tucked in, which I haven't done in years. I'm not even self-conscious if a shirt were to ride up a little and show my belly scar on accident. It is okay. Last weekend I shared a communal dressing room with my sister and her little boys and my daughter and got "nakey" in front of them, and I was okay! :)
   — Beth B.

May 22, 2003
...try tucking the shirt inside your pants and eventually the old habit will change I bet...
   — Ann H.

May 22, 2003
And has anyone had this happen - you go into a store to try on clothes, and they fit. But then you look at the tag, and the size is something totally unreal - like "size 10" or something, and you just know there is no way your big butt can possibly fit in a size 10. I think the stores are secretly switching the size tags, and I am actually trying on a size 18 or 20. ( I still see the fat lady in the mirror, too!)
   — koogy