Clothing exchange?

Hi All - This is my first time posting to the IL board. I had my surgery 4/2 and usually post on the April board. Anyway... was wondering if there is any sort of clothing exchange going on in Chicago or surrounding suburbs? I have quickly shrunk out of a lot of stuff already and I would really prefer to share it with fellow WLS patients rather than bagging it up and sending to Goodwill. I know there is a clothing exchange on OH, but I don't have time to list and ship piece by piece. I would prefer to show up somewhere with my plastic tubs of clothes, share some laughs and see my stuff go to good homes.  Another option would be to offer this stuff to a friend I have who is heavy. I just hate doing that though! Even though I have some nice stuff, it just seems so rude to say, "Well, since I am losing so much weight, why don't you take my old fat clothes". Of course I wouldn't say that, but that's what they'd hear right? I don't know....  Here's an example: I have a size 26 suit (skirt and jacket) from Lane Bryant that is light gray with really pretty lilac pinstriping and lining. I bought this 2 weeks after surgery because I had to have a suit for a work event. I got to wear it once!! It kills me. I am already down to size 20. So, if nothing else, I would like to find a home for my suit :-)  Please PM me if you are interested. I only ask that you pay for the shipping.  Thanks for listening to me ramble. And BTW, if there are any Dr. Nagle/Wellness Institute patients out there, I'd love to get in contact.

Some support groups have a clothing exchange. I just took most of my clothing to the charity resale shops. But the better majority of my clothing was in such bad shape that I just threw it out. Christine

Congratulations on your weightloss. I sent boxes of clothes to a woman in Texas who I met on the January ;'06 board and also donated alot to the Juvinelle Diabetes Association.  They have a drop off place in Arlington Heights. I also sent about 10 pairs of shoes to a gal I met on the January board (I've lost 2 shoes sizes as well, lol). But I've also sold alot on EBAY.  I was changing sizes so quickly and it was getting really expensive.  I had alot of luck there expecially with bigger sizes.  Size 3X tops, sweaters, coats and jackes went in a flash and for good money. Now that I'm trying to sell smaller things the results are not so good. I do have a lot of size 1X slacks (career and denim) if you need.  Would be happy to send to you.

Hi Ronna - Thanks for the reply. Selling on ebay is probably the next best thing. Although I like to be charitable (I do volunteer and donate), I will need to subsidize my future wardrobe. I will just have to wait a few months until I am done with school and have some person time in my life again. As for the slacks, I appreciate the generous offer but I am actually set with clothes down to size 14/XL. I kept all of my clothes and stored them as I gained because I loved them too much to part with them and I was determined to get back into them someday!! And soon I will be.

Have a great weekend. Its a beautiful (hot) day in IL!

Hi Jessica, I just found this Illinois board myself yesterday.  I am both a Wellness Institute and Dr. Nagle patient.  Well, almost a Dr. Nagle patient.  My initial appointment with him is on July 18 and I CANNOT wait to meet this dude.  I have heard nothing but great things about him.  I start my pre-surgery classes at the Wellness Institute this week and am looking forward to that also.  My nutritionist at the Wellness Institute is Annie.  I've met THE nicest woman from NW Indiana through this website who is also a WI/Nagle patient.  She had her surgery last August and is down 160.  Yowza.  She is going to be on the panel at the next information session on July 19 and I'll get the chance to meet her in person then.  Do you go to the monthly support meetings?  You sound like you are doing remarkably well (and may I add that you look fabulous, dahling!)...hope I can be a copycat!  You have youth on your side - me, I'm an old bag of 56 - 57 next week - probably old enough to be your mother (but I'd be the cool mom everyone would want to have). ;-)  If I haven't scared you away with the mom part, hope to be in touch.  Have a great day.

Great to hear from you! I'll send you a PM so I don't bore everyone raving about Nagle and the Wellness Institute.....

Just to let everyone know.... I found a home for my suit.

Jessica, Come to the support group in Vernon Hills, the first Monday of every month.  They just started up again with a clothing exchange.  This way, you would know for sure that anything you have to share will go to others having have had the surgery.  If you want more info, Pm me and I'll give you a call. Barb

Hi Barb! Thanks for replying. It is too bad that the support group is on Mondays. I am working on my master's in the evenings and I have Monday classes scheduled up until March '08 (oy, I know, seems like eons away). Someday I'll have my life back! But, thanks again. Sorry I can't make it. I'll figure something out.

Jessica, Evanston/Northwestern also has support groups at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Highland Park Hospital and Evanston Hospital.  I don't know what days the other groups meet, but you can call and find out.   Barb