What to wear after bariatric surgery? If you’re undergoing bariatric surgery, you might be nervous about the costs associated with buying a whole new wardrobe. Fortunately, there are fun, easy – and cheap! – ways to find fabulous clothes for your new body. Follow these tips for the best results.
Get Rid of Larger Clothes Once and For All
Your weight loss is an accomplishment! Getting rid of your clothes should feel like a reward, not a punishment, for keeping the weight off.
In an Everyday Health article, Andrea Spivack of Penn Behavioral Health at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia agrees. She says, “Holding on to those larger sizes may undermine the best intentions. Having the security of an available wardrobe can make it easier to backslide.”
Dr. Spivack suggests you tailor the items worth keeping and get rid of everything else, except for one pair of “trophy jeans” to remind yourself how far you’ve come and that you’ll never go back.
Restock Your Closet as Your Clothing Size Drops
Buying a whole new wardrobe every few months as you lose weight can become expensive quickly, unless you know how to shop smart.
One option is to join an online closet, such as Gwynnie Bee, which allows members to “rent” clothes for a short period of time. You wear the clothes as many times as you want, and then you exchange them for others as you continue to lose weight. You get unlimited exchanges in clothing sizes 10-32 for a monthly fee.
You can also shop at affordable retailers and thrift stores, either online or at brick-and-mortar locations, to make the transition to smaller sizes smooth and easy. Torrid, with several San Antonio locations, is a great place to shop for affordable, hip and fashionable apparel and lingerie sizes 12 to 28. If you prefer online shopping, the company also offers $6 flat-rate shipping. Target is a larger chain of retailers accessible to anyone in the United States that offers a wide selection of trendy clothing exclusive to plus sizes. You can shop for separates, dresses, swimsuits, sleepwear and more at Target’s storefront locations or online.
Manage Your Closet While Losing Weight
It’s important to rotate your clothes and know when to get rid of certain items. The easiest way to keep yourself organized is to change out your clothes with the seasons.
When you break out your cold-weather clothes in the fall, try them on and see if they still fit from last year. Do the same in the spring with your summer clothing. If you had bariatric weight loss surgery, chances are these items won’t fit anymore.
Now’s the time to take your larger clothing to local consignment stores and get some money back to help fund your new wardrobe. Some options right here in San Antonio include The Garment Exchange and Plato’s Closet. You can also put your clothes up for sale on the San Antonio Buy Sell & Trade Facebook page.
Invest in the Right Types of New Clothes
Your gastric surgery has helped you lose a lot of weight, but you still want to look your best. When shopping for new clothes, don’t just look for the right fit; also seek out clothes in the right colors and patterns.
For example, dark clothing hides bumps in the least flattering areas of your body. Vertical stripes add height, so choose this pattern over horizontal stripes. Also, avoid heavy, bulky fabrics that add more visual weight. Jersey, cotton and cashmere are much more slimming. Finally, wear a wide belt with your dresses to bring in your waist and lengthen your torso.
If you need more help adjusting to post-bariatric surgery life, check out “The right cheerleaders for your weight loss journey” and other articles at BMI of Texas.