OK, I'll acknowledge right off that this may seem insignificant in the grand context of things. But here goes.

I am planning to get the band in January 2009. I am self-pay and, while I am exceptionally annoyed that my insurance will pay to treat co-morbidities, it won't pay for real results. But I digress.

How do you deal with clothes during the loss? I understand that once at goal it makes sense to invest in a new wardrobe. But what about along the way, when you are constantly (at least I hope) losing weight?

I work in an environment where I wear suits every day. And because I am a fashion junkie -- and perhaps because of insecurities -- I have very nice suits, most of which were quite expensive. Ditto on shirts. And I understand that I should expect my feet to get smaller, too, so there go the farragamos, gucci and donald j.pliners.

Again, I realize there are important issues related to health, etc., and I am reading as much as I can about those. But the reality is that I will still need to work and to do that, I'll need to have clothes (for the sake of us all). I obviously can't afford a new wardrobe at every size and since this is an issue I am sure that others have faced, I'd love feedback.

Many thanks!

I concentrate on accessories. As you lose, buy a minimal amount of very basic clothing. Black dress pants, basic shirts, basic jackets and wear nice coordinated fashion necklace, earring and bracelet sets. These will make you look more put together while just maintaining the most minimum wardrobe. Also, when you buy clothes always buy them a bit tight so you can wear them longer. Good luck!!

And if you find a good tailor you can have a suit or two altered as you go along, and at the end have them all tailored to fit the new you if you can. I am lucky I am retired so I don't have that problem.

But I do have three wardrobes...my fat one, my medium fat one and my not so fat one....I am now in the medium fat/and a few not so fat items are fitting me fine.