Why do I keep going to plus size to shop for clothing?

I am having a real hard time shopping for clothes...I keep going to the plus size dept....I am trying to finally taking hold of the person I now am...a size 14 instead of a size 24...I had an open RNY March 27, 04. I am finally drinking and eating better. My husband and childern love the new me although they loved the old me. I do have to say shopping for clothes is still kind of hard...I own four pair of jeans and seven blouses...My mother tires to help me, but I just can't seem to accept the fact I am smaller now and still losing the weight....I just I don't know I feel kind of like a traitor in some way...I love the fact that I know have gained a backside and low cut jeans are cute but then I cover it all up with a big t-shirt... I just now bought myself new uniforms for work but I bought them all big... If anyone out there understands what I'm talking about please help... Sincerly, Rosa

Rosa, I couldn't wait to get out of the plus size department. Once I did, it seemed like all the cute clothes were in plus sizes. Go figure. I did have a tough time figuring out what size I wore in regular sizes and what brands fit best. It was all uncharted territory for me since I've spent all of my adult life in the big girl's department. My big dilema right now is underwear and bras. I haven't bought any new things since surgery and what I have is just hanging off my butt. You can't expect to lose over a 100 pounds and still have things fit. I can go and try on bras, but I really can't try on underwear in the store and I don't feel right about trying it on at home and taking it back if it doesn't fit after I've had it on. I guess the smart thing to do would be just to buy one or two pairs in the size that I think will fit instead of the large economy size package. I think it's going to get easier for you. Just give it some time and let yourself adjust to the new you. Connie

Good Lord I love this web site! Yes I to feel odd when I go to the regular sized clothing dept. The first time I walked onto that side of a store I kept waiting for a clerk to come pull me back to "the dark side" AND I agree now that I don't have to show in the plus side all the cute clothes arein plus sizes! But I do laugh at myself for feeling this way and feel so very fortnate that this is how itis now. My dream came true! Bras are a whole nother story! New was that big in boob dept other thanthey fit the rest of the size of who i was. So when I went from my usual 44DD to a 38D it was whoopie time! Then it went to a 36D and now I'm in a 34D whew! Thats allot of sizes changes in only 7 months.The whole new me isfun. I'm enjoying it. Because when I look into a mirror at home I stilll see the old me. Its still a shock "bumbing into" the new me someplace where there are mirrors but at first not recognizing that me in the mirror. Does that make sense to anyone else? And I've become a person who I've always made fun of. A mirror looker!

I hear ya', ladies! I have a hard time not heading into the plus sizes too, but I'm thankful that I don't have too at the same time. As far as undies go, I have bought 7 pairs of the Vassarette Light Control type. They help with the wiggle and jiggle. I think they were $3 each at Wal-Mart. I also got 2 bras that fit well. I didn't want to spend a lot on the bras, because I'm afraid my cup size will be changing the more as I lose, so when I take my shower, I just wash the one I had on and hang it to dry for the next day. Hand washing helps the cups and underwire from changing shape. I am just now starting to buy more form fitting tops, but it's definately a mind battle. It's all about learning to love our new self! Smiles, CP 309/188/144 3/11/04 5'7"

Mostly, I have the opposite problem. I love how much CHEAPER skinny person clothes are. I used to have to drop $40 at Lane Bryant for a blouse, now I'm getting them at Macy's for $20 from their "everyday value" line - or cheaper if I can get stuff on sale. There are times when the straight size tops don't fit me as well, form fitting is a problem because I still have Michelin action above the belt, if you know what I mean. But mostly I am o.k. I'm starting to see how having clothes that are too baggy is just as bad, or sometimes worse, than having stuff that is too snug. I was always big into mirrors - "I had such a pretty face" Now when I'm caught looking in the mirror it's because I'm trying to get a better sense of my self in proportion to others. The thing that helps me best with that has been being in full length or longer length photos with chicks I think are "skinny". I kind of don't stand out as much now. I'm smaller than the guys in the picture (thank God, I used to be their size, I even shopped in big mens' clothes depts in the past) and I'm pretty close to being on par with the women. It's unreal - but this is how they see me, so I need to see myself like that too. OH - I almost forgot. Best of all - I can wear heels. I went to a wedding last night and I think the shoes were 2 1/4" heels, and I made it through the WHOLE NIGHT without taking them off. OK I was limping at the end, but I *used* to limp INTO the place, with a smaller heel. So that's progress! Jen 266/171/?160?

I find myself drifting over to the plus size before I realize it. When I do realize it, I practically run out of the department. I love shopping now. That may be the only downfall from this surgery! Sometimes I buy something just because of the size that is marked in it....go figure! I went to Old Navy yesterday. I have never bought myself anything in Old Navy.. Tried on a size "10 " pair of jeans,,,,and they fit! I have gone from a 24 to a 10 since March 11... Of course since it was my first size "10", I bought them. How about shoes people???? I can't keep my shoes on my feet. I think my feet have gotten smaller. WHat about you?

I can relate to a degree. Still feel the pull to plus sizes as well. I am afraid to buy a coat online for fear it will be too big or too small. I am still stuck thinking I'm in the 20's but my 18's are getting loose, so I know I'm just stuck in that pattern of negative thinking. I believe it's that old dieting thing coming back to haunt us....you know...make sure we have enough roomy clothing for when we rebound! For pants, I can't quite get into 16's, but 18's are very comfortable and sometimes a bit too roomy. It depends on the maker. I couldn't believe it though - my husband bought me some tops the other day and they all fit beautifully and were gorgeous. They were all 16's! I was SHOCKED to say the least! I haven't worn a 16 top for probably 20 years! I would have never even tried them on had I been at the store...isn't that weird? Dina

a couple months ago I was at a big girls store Torrid looking for a dress or something. I ended up trying on some jeans which were 14's but huge so I asked the gal in the dressing room that worked there if she could get me some size 12's. She looked at me with a straight face and told me that i was too small to shop there. I was shocked. That was a couple months ago, but I still find myself reaching for a size 16 pants or size 7 underwear. I never thought I'd go thru underwear so fast.