Wednesday I will be five weeks out from my revision from lap band to sleeve and I have lost 42 pounds. I am beyond thrilled. My problem is I will be returning to work next week Wednesday and most of my work clothing is too big. While I am excited about this problem, I have conflicting feelings about having to fork out money for new clothes knowing I am so new into my journey and I will be changing sizes a lot. What do other people do to work a professional wardrobe while trying not to spend a small fortune?

Skirts...I wear a lot if skirts! Bought 3 pair of pants because I was going to a conference in early November. Three weeks later my staff is telling me I needed to buy new pants cuz the ones I had were so baggy...... Ugh! I recent bought 2 comfortably fitting dresses that, with a belt as I lose more weight, will still work.

I gave most of my 1x-3x clothing to other wls'rs/ I posted on the clothing exchange forum that I had so many tops, pants, shorts, etc and I would send them for just shipping costs. Sent out 3 boxes to 3 different people that were delighted to receive my hand me downs. Now, I will say it's rare to get clothing for just shipping on here so u need to hit it just right.

I also shopped at the Goodwill alot. I think they're a bit pricey ($10 for a pair of USED jeans? Come on) but it's alot cheaper than new. Also consignment. U can get rid of ur too big clothing while getting some new stuff.

WTG! Good luck!

Thrift stores, thrift stores and more thrift stores!!! They are your best source while you are on your way down the scale!!! They are cheap and can be returned to the store once you need a smaller size!!! Good luck!!!

RESALE...it's greatness and I don't mind spending the money because I am going to go back and put my stuff on consignment so I can get more...

Here in Oregon we have online swaps and online sale through Facebook. I have found a lot of clothes for reasonable prices.

Dresses that skim you and aren't fitted are a good bet to last three sizes, especially with a belt. Chico's has some good ones.

I regularly buy clothes for myself and my family at your standard thrift store (not Goodwill -- too pricey!). I just picked up a while bunch of clothes this weekend, and spent $2/piece on average. Mall brands, boutique brands, etc. I can dress more casually, but my husband is a physician recruiter and has to dress professionally daily. He picked up a couple of Ralph Lauren half-zip sweaters for $3 each, and when he wore one to work today, he received tons of compliments from other men who stock their closets with full price items. Seriously, check out a few thrift stores. You might be very pleasantly surprised.

Here in Oregon we have online swaps and online sale through Facebook. I have found a lot of clothes for reasonable prices.

Where in Or r u? I just recently moved to So Ca from Medford, Or (2 mths ago). I sure miss not paying sales tax and having someone pump my gas! Who was ur surgeon? I went to Dr Tersigni in Coos Bay

I worked down my clothes side seams once, I was a size 22-24 at the time of surgery. Worked it down to a size 20. After that I could not work the clothes down further and purchased a size 18/16 slacks and pants, black and grey ,I already had navy blue, I still used many of my tops and just wore loose jerseys over it.

I purchased some more clothes on Xmas, as the stores don't close in the united arab emirates then.

I made sure that they are tight so that when I loose some more, they will just sit comfortably or be loose but only require one more adjustment.

It was well worth wearing the big clothes, as once I appeared in fitting clothes, I was told by many folks that it looks as if I had dropped 2 dress sizes in a week. the scale did not budge in that time.

I did it this way as I don't want to spend too much money on clothes that I can only wear a few times.

I also try to mix and match so that I can use my bottoms with at least 5 tops or different jersey's or knits so that they seem like different outfits

I've lost 3-4 sizes. I'm a professional, so I do "dress" daily.

I have never liked wearing tight clothes, so I'm not uncomfortable looking a little like I'm swimming in a jacket or pants (though my admin told me last week that I had a couple of weeks to ditch the old stuff).

I've found that I have been able to continue to wear some of my sweaters. Same with turtlenecks -- if the material is right, I can belt the cardies for that popular look.

Skirts mentioned earlier are great solution.

The sales before Christmas allowed me to purchase a few slacks, jeans and sweater.

One resolution I've made is to try several of the consignment stores nearby - it just makes sense.

I have a closetful of expensive suits that a friend is going to post on Ebay for me.