Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I am pre-op (surgery 8/13--yikes!) and am trying to get my wardrobe ready (I will be going back to work 9/15). I currently wear a size 28 pant, and know that everyone is unique, but I'm wondering what should I be prepared for in terms of pants sizes in the next few months. I have a demanding job and won't be able to get much shopping done September-October. Should I have some size 26, 24, 22 and 20 on hand?

I've read a lot of posts that say people generally fly through the clothes/sizes post-op. For those of you post-op, what are your thoughts?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you talking professional clothes or casual? Casual is easier. I actually just wore some things a bit baggy and skipped some sizes, because I went through them so quickly. For professional cloths, I only had a few in each size, but it's hard to know how things are going to fit. I lost from my thighs last, so pants fit strange...I had to buy as I went.

I don't have much time to show either. I always had awesome luck at good will finding cheap and good quality stuff fast. I didn't like spending money since I didn't wear them long... Hint: stop by the good wills in the more uppity towns. They have designer stuff with tags on it for CHEAP :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I found that dropping those first few sizes took a long time. I think the larger the sizes are, the more weight you have to drop between sizes. It took me 50 lbs to go from a 36 to a 34, but now that I am smaller it seems like I go down a size in maybe 10 lbs.

Starting at a 28, you probably shouldn't have every size on hand. You can probably wait and skip sizes, like maybe have a couple of pairs of 24 on hand for when your 28's get absolutely huge. Unless you have tons of money to spare and don't care how much you spend! Which, more power to you if that's your situation! It wasn't mine so I only bought clothes when absolutely necessary.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I found that dropping those first few sizes took a long time. I think the larger the sizes are, the more weight you have to drop between sizes. It took me 50 lbs to go from a 36 to a 34, but now that I am smaller it seems like I go down a size in maybe 10 lbs.

Starting at a 28, you probably shouldn't have every size on hand. You can probably wait and skip sizes, like maybe have a couple of pairs of 24 on hand for when your 28's get absolutely huge. Unless you have tons of money to spare and don't care how much you spend! Which, more power to you if that's your situation! It wasn't mine so I only bought clothes when absolutely necessary.

I had the same experience. I have lost 27 lbs in about 6 weeks and almost all of my clothes still fit. I am waiting to need smaller clothes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I suggest a lot of elastic waist skirts that won't look baggy as they start to get bigger on you.

That said, I agree with others that it took me a long time to go down sizes. Even now, I'm 176 and still wearing somewhere between a 14 and 16 because of my loose skin. It took me 75 pounds to get to an 18 from a 28, and I didn't need to seriously start buying new clothes until I'd lost more than 100 pounds.

My experience is that we are actually a lot bigger than we think we are in terms of clothes, but we're so used to squeezing into sizes that are too small that our current clothes will still fit fine for quite awhile. Where we were spilling out of them before, after awhile they will fit the way they were meant to.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Gwynnie Bee may be an option for you...it's especially useful for professional/work wear and church wear.

http://blog.gwynniebee.com/

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

P.M. me your address and I'll send you a bunch of clothes. I started at a size 24 so I have some pants from 18-24 I'm happy to send you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've lost 35 pounds and am still in the same size I started surgery at (26.) I'm frustrated about it, but at least I've not had to go shopping yet (i'm not a big shopper) I think you'll be fine with just the next size down on hand.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you talking professional clothes or casual? Casual is easier. I actually just wore some things a bit baggy and skipped some sizes, because I went through them so quickly. For professional cloths, I only had a few in each size, but it's hard to know how things are going to fit. I lost from my thighs last, so pants fit strange...I had to buy as I went.

I don't have much time to show either. I always had awesome luck at good will finding cheap and good quality stuff fast. I didn't like spending money since I didn't wear them long... Hint: stop by the good wills in the more uppity towns. They have designer stuff with tags on it for CHEAP :-)

Professional clothes mostly . . . I have probably two complete professional wardrobes in my closet! You know the type . . . "I'll fit in those someday"! I love Goodwill :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Gwynnie Bee may be an option for you...it's especially useful for professional/work wear and church wear.

http://blog.gwynniebee.com/

Thanks for that link . . . I'll check it out after I get home, recover and am ready to go back to work. Seems like a cool deal!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I started at 360 and am now at 295. I was wearing a 26. They are loose and I can fit into my 24, but it is true that the bigger the size your are the more weight you lose before you go down in size.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well I am the same way had my sleeve on 7/16 and down 25 pounds my pants are loose but I am not buying new clothes yet because whats the point if I will lose more pounds. I think yes would be good different sizes but I will hold off until my pants fall lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree im only 2wks out but from others I know they didnt drop sizes each week. I have several dresses and skirts that I have been wearing and that by adding a sweater and tights or leggings with should carry me into fall before I need to hit up goodwill.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×