Confused about clothes....

I see lots of posts from post-ops saying they have dropped 6, 7, 8 or more clothes sizes. Here's what's bugging me: First, from my experience at Avenue, Lane Bryant, etc. the clothing came in sizes 14/16, 18/20, 22/24 etc. I wore a 30/32 before surgery and am now buying an 18/20. So to me, I've only gone down 3 sizes. (I've lost 121 lbs.) I think that because of my tummy, which is just flapping in the breeze, that I won't be able to go down many more sizes, no matter how much I lose. I also don't think my "batwings" will fit into a smaller top. So how do you guys have this amazing drop in sizes? Am I missing something, or miscalculating?

You lost between 6-8 sizes. Not all LB clothing is sized 14/16, 18/20, etc. (and I know because I used to work there). Some of their sizing is just 14, 16, 18, 20.... Don't look at 14/16 being one size. Look at it being two sizes.

I agree with Julie. I counted them as two sizes. When you shop at Target or somewhere else it is a size 14 not a size 14/16. Those stores usually combine the sizes for some reason. I did not think I would be able to get into those smaller sizes either with my stomach or my arms but I do. Sometimes I have trouble with some shirts in the arms but I always try them on in the store first to make sure. You will get there. Just be patient! I know it is hard... LOL

Poetic license. That's my story.... Someday I will find an 18 that is mis-tagged as an eight. Or a Sharpie that will do the job. Then I can wear an eight too. Meanwhile, if I can stretch it over my flapping excess, it counts, no matter how it looks, if I can move my legs and arms in it, or if I can even get it fastened without jumping up and slamming on my back on the bed (ugly visual, DON'T LOOK) with a shoehorn and a bamboo back scratcher. Now let's talk about these people who lose multiple shoe sizes. And next it will be hat sizes. Okay, I obviously shouldn't try posting while watching Craig Ferguson's monolog. It rubs off.

I went from a 10W shoe to an 8.5-9 regular...which is what I wore way back when....long before I gained all my weight. I can't wear any of my shoes from before surgery. I had a brand new pair of Birkenstock sandals that I bought the summer of my surgery (05). They flop around on my feet now.

I just passed my one year out from surgery and I started in a solid sz 24 pant and top and now I have lost 135lbs and I am in a very nice fitting sz 6 pant and I consider myself as losing 9 sizes... I do hear you about the batwings... I don't think I will ever get used to them...

I have gone from a 58" waist diameter, to a 40"...Let's talk inches vs. sizes. Once I reached my highest weight of 300.9 lbs., I always went by the number of X's..1X, 3X, etc. because I just couldn't find a "size" number I could fit into. It was hard to find women's clothes that fit well in all places. Stuff was either too short waisted and crawled up the butt, or it never fit the boobs, or the shirts were too short. I had to resort to buying at the big men's store. Horrible..no wonder strangers thought I was a guy most of the time. Now, after losing 92 pounds, I can buy real women's clothes, off the rack. I buy pinks and purples and pale yellows, instead of black, navy, and grey. No plusses, or extra X's. I can wear an extra large t-shirt, and can now fit into a size 40 jeans. The one pair of women's stretch jeans I have is size 18. They are getting loose by the week. I love it. My calves at their largest were 18" around. They are a comfortable 11" now. My most favorite berkies are too loose on my feet (wahhh), and I can wear sneakers now. The best part is the bubbas...a hefty 48-50DDD...I can now wear a size 40 sports bra. Sure, there's the loose skin but ya know what? I DON'T CARE if it means I never have to pay $25 for one bra ever again. Frankly, I am more comfortable in the sports bra and it looks better than a "real" bra. And about those "batwings." I call them AngelWings. I earned them. They are my physical testimony about where I came from. I'm keeping them. KathyG

How is Bob doing? S-

I don't get it either and I am sure I will get flamed for this but I think some people lie about the sizes they are wearing post-op. I have reached my goal of 135lbs. Sometimes a little less and sometimes a little more(usually PMS related). I am 5' 5" and usually wear a 10. If I go to Target I can wear an 8. Anyway, I have seen others who are my weight and height or larger(pre-PS) say they wear a 4. I would really like to know how. I haven't had PS and am sure if I did I would be in smaller clothes but even then I don't know if I would be in a 4. I know it's hard but don't put much into whatever size everyone else is. Just know that you are losing and feeling better and where ever you are in you're journey, that is you and you are like noone else and neither is your body. Also like everyone else said a 14 and a 16 are two differents sizes so when you drop sizes don't group them together. Holly W

Oh how I agree with you. I you to feel so bad because at my lowest weight 140, and 5'5", I was very thin, Post TT. I had a lot of exess skin on my butt and thighs, The lowest I go was an 8-10 depending on where I purchase the item. I carry my weight in my butt/thighs and that could be why I can't get any smaller. I don't know, but now I am trying to get back to that weight and size. I am still wearing the same clothes but they sure don't fit like they use to, I am doing some experimenting to see if I can't figure out my unexplained gain. I am going to post about it to see if I can get any opinions about it so check it out and let me know what you think.---Toni