Shopping is frustrating not fun

I don't know how handy you are with a sewing machine, but it is super simple to take in the body on your shirts if you're a little handy. Maybe buy a couple cheapies to try it out on? Then just take in equal amount from each side (if it needs to come in an inch, take half an inch from each side), pin it and follow the same lines as the original side seam. That sounds really bad explained like that, but I hope you get the picture. After you've tried it a couple times, it seriously takes like 5 minutes to do. Darts and side seams have become my new best friends - helps me get 6 to 8 weeks out of my clothes instead of 3 to 4.

Will I really need to buy clothes every 3-4 weeks. My surgery costs just doubled I think. I guess a good problem to have. Plus the money saved from cheezits and snickers will just be transferred to my new clothes budget.

Your mileage may vary, but I've lost 70 lbs in 12 weeks and I HATE baggy clothes, so yes, I've been picking up new clothes about every 3 to 4 weeks. Lots of thrift store shopping. I've dropped from a 22/24 to a 12/14 since the end of June. Finally splurged on a new pair of jeans a few weeks ago - at the mall - and already regretting it because I paid nearly 40 dollars for them and I've worn them half a dozen times and they're already getting too big.

Congrats on your great progress so far! I have a sewing machine and I'm slowing learning how to use it. I have to wear scrubs for work (not cheap) and was planning to dart/sew them up to get more mileage out of them. I didnt even think about my regular clothes. Duh!! Haha. Good luck!!

I am not down enough tohave this problem yet, but i have heard of compression garmets.  Maybe something like that could help???

A great option for tops is a "dolman sleeve". It is very fashionble currently and easy to find. The shirt body can be more form fitting but the sleeves are bigger. They are also very flattering.

Also, if you are in a climate where you can wear sweaters, try to find some pretty feminine sweaters to go over your Short sleeved tops! I was at Ross today and found a great long sweater with a ruffled edge, and a ruffle, flutter edge to the end of the sleeve...had hook and eye closures so you coukd just hook one and leave it open. I am pre op and did not look good on me, but it is a pretty style for a slimmer gal. Just a thought, and I saw a lot today with the dolman sleeves. They are back, last in style I think in the 80's !!! I have seen many cute shirts that are lace to wear over something else. I even saw one that was all like stretch lace, that you'd have to wear over a cami. I remember wearing those in the 80's or early 90 s too! I see a lot of cute stuff at Nordstrom rack if you have one. Oh, I cannot wait to wear what is actually in fashion again, it's been 20 years. Worries me, though I know what you mean, I hate form fitting on my lumps and bumps, and I am likely to have them once smaller too but for different reasons. But a size 8, ahhh, sounds dreamy! Way to go you! Christina

Based on your height...are you a petite? Long sleeved is the hardest. I like Ann Taylor, Talbots, Eddie Bauer for petites. In regular misses you may check out the 3/4 sleeves they might fit better.

How about Ross   TJ MAXX  Marshals.   lots of sizes and cheap.

Consignment & thrift stores!!!  I have lost 103 lbs. and have to dress nice every day for work.  I have been able to stay current with the styles and not spend a lot of money.  Plus I didn't feel bad when I had to donate back to thrift stores when they got too big because I didn't pay a lot of money to begin with.  I have had more fun shopping every day on my lunch hour at the various consigment stores & thrift stores.  Believe it or not, they also have specials/sales at these stores too.  99 cent Sundays at Goodwill and a lot of the consigment stores start marking their stuff down as they start taking clothes for the next season.