can anyone tell me how they prepared for a smaller wardrobe before surgery? did you just buy a couple of basic tops and bottoms a size under and just keep going back to the store every month or however often? im broke and worried about not having anything to wear, otherwise i would just go load up on different sizes if i could afford it. how quick do you change bra and panty sizes... anything you think would be relevant? thanks!

If you can find a support group in your area, they usually do free clothing exchanges. I wouldn't buy anything in advance - your body changes in unexpected ways!

I didn't buy anything. You can usually wear stuff for awhile after you start losing. When I did buy stuff, it was not new. I swapped with friends, went to the Goodwill, Salvation Army and yard sales. If you have a lot to lose, buying new is a total waste of your money. Since Feb. I have gone from a 28 to an 18. I don't wear anything more than a couple of weeks, so I refuse to pay full price. Save your money until the weight loss slows down...and that probably won't be for a year. The only exception to this was underwear. I broke down and bought new ones, but they were $8 a pack Fruit of the Looms; not $20 a pair department store frillies. I only wear them a couple of weeks too.

Buy in second hand stores. Then sell the big girl clothes on eBay. It's amazing what people will pay for plus size clothes there.

Goodwill/second hand is the way to go for clothes. I've lost 45 lbs but still wear the same undies. Some are big but most fit just fine. I only bought a few new ones for control when I wear dresses.

I agree with everyone else, buy second hand for everything except bra and panties. Those I buy new.

I didnt buy anything new before hand either. You just dont know what you will be in or where you will lose the weight first. I've lost 35lbs and just now my bras are starting to get big..I did have to get a pack of undies and 2 pair of capris and 3 shirts for the summer. I'm not planning on buying anything else until these things are falling off I want to save the BIG shopping spree until I'm closer to goal

Buy in second hand stores. Then sell the big girl clothes on eBay. It's amazing what people will pay for plus size clothes there.

Seriously? I've been looking for a way to sell my stuff, some of it still has tags on it. When I look on eBay, the stuff is just sitting there at "0 bids" so I figured it never moved.

Seriously? I've been looking for a way to sell my stuff' date=' some of it still has tags on it. When I look on eBay, the stuff is just sitting there at "0 bids" so I figured it never moved.[/quote']

I have a lady friend that makes a very good living going to yards sales and such buying plus size clothes and ebaying them. She says the "sexy" big girl clothes are a gold mine.

I noticed your surgeon was in San Antonio. After you've lost some weight, consider shopping at Plato's closet. We have them in DFW. They have trendy, second hand clothes and dollar day sales.