I was at my lovely support group last week when a pre-op patient raised her hand and asked how we are expected to do this without breaking out budget.
A local hospital's website presenting their bariatric center advertises all of the new clothes patients will be able to wear once they start losing weight. My friend was looking into what local hospital would work best for her and this tidbit actually turned her off to that particular program. Her logic was that the focus should really be on the health benefits of weight loss surgery and not the fashionable aspects.
She has a point, and a very good one at that. My program made no mention of the fun, smaller clothes I'll be able to buy.
But, there's about a year and a half of rapid weight loss where I can't wear the clothes I used to wear and I'm constantly in need of buying some clothes.
I'm going to start here: A few years ago, three friends and I went shopping. As usual with people I hang out with, I was the biggest. One of them shot a question point blank to me: "Are you okay with us going into stores where you can't fit?"
The real answer: of course I was. But I also like girl time, which has always been something I don't think I get enough of. And who wants to go shopping with me? Lane Bryant was pretty much the only place I went, until I discovered Kohl's (more on that later).
Tomorrow I'm going shopping with two girls who are just a hair smaller than me and I'm looking forward to it in some ways. At the pace I'm going through clothes however, it would be prudent of me to not max out my credit cards on clothes tomorrow.
Since my surgery just over 4 months ago, I've gone from my pants at 22 and shirts at 3x (and NEVER a button up), to my pants size being 16 and shirts at 1x/18ish/and 2x if it has buttons. I also need new bras. Badly. Every time I turn around, something on my bra isn't fitting right. It's the reality of the situation.
Someone once told me to put the money in the foundation of what you wear. So, I never wear cheap shoes, I spend an embarrasingly high amount on socks, and my underwear and bras I always want to be well-fitting. Because I'm losing weight and inches so quickly, I need to only buy one bra at a time.
But, I'm going to break that rule a little this weekend with the girls. We're going to a local outlet mall, and if the Lane Bryant there is offering the deal I expect, I will probably buy 2 bras in my current size, and 2 a band smaller. Then, Joann Fabrics sells bra extenders that I will take advantage of.
Lets get back to a more generalized topic of "how I don't break my budget". There are a few things I do to save some money:
1) Facebook: There is such a community out there for people going through bariatric surgery! A friend just started a local clothing swap and I haven't done anything for them yet, but I will likely give before I take on that group. There are also a ton of county wide online yard sales that I am a part of and keep an eye on.
2) The kindness of others: I have been super open about what I am going through in my office, and my coworkers are open enough to me to tell me "hey that shirt is too big, put it in your pile for donation". My coworkers are also kind enough to pass me clothing. One lady gave me two pairs of jeans, and another, upon hearing that I had to go to Texas for a funeral loaned me a nice simple black dress. These kind gestures do not go unnoticed.
3) Clearance racks: As my friends tomorrow will realize, I will not spend the expected amount on anything (besides "foundations"). When I go into a store, I get tunnel vision until I get to that clearance rack. If I want a shot to get anything that will work for me though, I need to go a lot.
4) Thrift stores: Again, thrift stores are a place I need to go consistently. I'm pretty good about going every other week, and a local chain offers half price on nearly everything on the last Saturday of the month. Last week was one of those magical Saturdays and I got two light jackets and two pants for $10.
5) Assess what you have: This doesn't really apply to me, in my adult life I've been good about getting rid of whatever I didn't wear that season, but so many people hold their clothes of all sizes with the hope they will fit again. So, before looking for new clothes (and I know that part is fun) go shopping in your own closet!
One last note is that I know it's fun to get rid of piles of clothes, but be sure to hold on to a top and bottom from your biggest size. I can't wait to take pictures in them in the future!
No comments:
Post a Comment