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What clothes to buy for the first month after surgery?

By teachfish70 on 31 May 2011

So I'm really lucky that I'm a teacher and I will have 5 weeks to recover before going back to work so I won't need to buy new clothes immediately, but I'm curious as to what to buy for that first month? Too hot here in FL for sweat pants, I'm assuming yoga pants or elastic waist shorts and t-shirts? Did anyone out there go down a size or two when buying these things? I know now I buy extra-large to go around my belly but I don't think I'll need XL then, will I?

Comments (30)

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LoriWV 1 Jun 2011
I am having similar worries , but thinking somewhat opposite... I am thinking I might need bigger clothes because of the swelling?? Most of my shorts from last year are too big now but I am afraid if I buy smaller ones , they won't fit after the TT ....
lnf 1 Jun 2011
I am 5 weeks post-op and I can't fit into my pre-op pants. I figured I would be able to get into my smaller pants after a tt and lipo, but no, I barely fit into my fat pants because of swelling. I don't recommend buying anything smaller than what you wear now. My PS says about 3 months I should have most swelling gone.
Midland5351 1 Jun 2011
Yes! Definitely do not buy smaller clothing...I am 3 weeks post op and my pre-surgery pants still don't button because I am so swelled. Definitely stick to loose, comfy clothes for as long as possible :)
UGAgirl 1 Jun 2011
I live in FL too and am thinking some loose cotton tank dresses might work. Like the swim cover up ones they sell at Target. Seems like anything without a waist or sleeves would be good!
OneMuneca 1 Jun 2011
absolutely i bought nice cotten dresses and tank dresses at least for now so your comfy im only 2 weeks into mine TT and Lipo but wow i need to start walking straight my back hurts any hinters
Orillia 1 Jun 2011
I was told to sleep with pillows under my knees so my knees were really up.This was so comfortable, good for the abdomen and I still sleep on my back with one pillow and I'm 3 months post op. Hope this helps.
lrbarb10 1 Jun 2011
It’s been 2 weeks since my TT. I am afraid to purchase new clothing at this time because of the swelling. When I go out I put on a maxi dress or any summer dress. I can't imagine wearing something around my waist at the moment. My stomach doesn’t hurt that much; there’s this numbness, bloated and sudden sporadic feelings of pain at times. My back hurts the most, so to alleviate the pain I have taken off the binder. Ahhh I feel so much better and can even stand up straight.

I am so curious to know if I will be able to wear my old clothes or if I will have to buy a new wardrobe.
teachfish70 1 Jun 2011
Just checked out your pics and weird, you and I have similar shapes! Would love to see some after pics :)

Thanks for your advice. I am in the process of throwing out all of my size 14's. I can wear shorts, etc. for about a month after surgery because I'm a teacher. When I go back to work I will just plan on buying loose dresses, skirts, etc. but I REFUSE to wear my old clothes after spending all of this money on a new belly!!!

Oh, and I'm saving all summer for a new wardrobe, new sizes or not!
Orillia 1 Jun 2011
I am 3 months post op. After a week of bending over to walk I was to start straightening up. Your incision will be "attached" well by now. Do you sleep with pillows under your knees so they are pretty up? This helped my back and was recommended by my PS. I still sleep on my back with one pillow and I sleep well. Keep that binder on. It keeps the swelling down. Or just take it off at night. I wore mine for a month day and night and then a light weight one from Walmart (a girdle type as suggested by mt PS). I haven't really gone down a pant size yet but they are a little looser. I was looking forward to a new wardrobe but I guess not. I still have a pinching and pulling feeling in my abdomen and some numbness. I am waiting until I am 6 months to see the final results. But so glad I had it done!
lrbarb10 1 Jun 2011
Thaks for your comment and advice. I really can't see my incision because of the gauze and tape. That's one of the reasons I have not posted updated pic yet.

I was able to sleep in my bed for the first time last night by applying pillows under my back and legs for support and comfort. I plan to put my binder on tomorrow.

Good idea to keep it on during the day and take it off at night time.

I will post updated pics soon
45isnew25 1 Jun 2011
It all depends on how much you swell. I don't know why, but I haven't been swollen like most of the ladies on here. At 5 weeks post op, I've been wearing my pre op clothes for a couple of weeks now. The only thing I can think is that I am and have been so hydrated because I'm a runner. I didn't take Arnica but took bromelain sporadicly after my surgery for a week or so but haven't touched it in at least two weeks.
Erie9410 1 Jun 2011
I just lost 15 pounds due to bariatric surgery. We have several consignment stores here and I needed some new things so I bought some things there. One of the stores uses their proceeds from sales to help a women's care center. I took my better large sizes there. I figure this would be the way to go now. I've been able to find some nice clothes. So I'm still on the process to getting my body back. My tt and tl were scheduled on May 13th but had to be canceled due to needing urgent surgery. I would think in Florida sun dresses would be the way to go. I love them but don't get a chance to wear them because of our weather here in PA. Because of some post op complications I'm having trouble wearing anything around my waist too. So its been sweats for me. I hate going out like that but if I wear anything around my waist I have to pull the zipper down some so it doesn't rub and then cover with a large top. Hope this helps and good luck! I'm envious of you girls!
OneMuneca 2 Jun 2011
Thanks ladies yesterday i coughed unexpectly and omg i was in tears today the final drain comes out and im going to start wearing Spanx's i do hope they don't hurt me maybe then with this binder off and spanx on i can straighten up some...i had lost 40 from my lap band before the surgery and they took off 16 pounds of belly omg imagine the relief but i too cant wait to see results!
Orillia 2 Jun 2011
OMG! What a weight difference for you. You will feel wonderful in the end!
mixter 2 Jun 2011
Teachfish70, I wore jogging pants the first 10 days after surgery but was able to wear my preop jeans if I was going out to the store, etc.

I went bact to work on day 11 and was wearing my preop dress clothes with no problem. About three weeks post op, I was able to fit into size 10 as opposed to size 12. I'm now comfortably wearing size 8's and I'm 6 weeks post op today.

Hope that helps!
Orillia 2 Jun 2011
How did you get down so far?
teachfish70 2 Jun 2011
Do you have any pics? I'm really curious about women who have done this that about the same size as me...
OneMuneca 2 Jun 2011
Thanks Orillia and thats great mixter well im home im so thrilled to be able to shower oh my feels wonderful taking a partial shower ugh was horrible lol maybe now i'll start feeling even better
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 2 Jun 2011
Make sure you have really soft and comfy clothes for the first 8-12 weeks. Elastic or drawstring waist is best. It is all about comfort to start and not style. I actually look a little bit like something the cat drug in for a while..LOL
OneMuneca 3 Jun 2011
Morning ladies i had an episode yesterday one stitch popped in front so i have been draining the PS Medical assistant came to my home checked it and said i popped one but its not bleeding its drainage i had went back to work but i guess im staying home another week to heal more
LoriWV 3 Jun 2011
OMG!!! I hope you are ok! Take it easy for the next week! Happy healing!
lrbarb10 3 Jun 2011
Ouch!!! I am so glad that I have glue and surgery tape on my incision. My stomach is still very swollen. It's much smaller but I still have a long way to go.It is not flat at all. I still have gauze as well covering my incisions and the two places where the drainage tubes were.

I will post pics when everything is off. Hopefully I will have less swellen by then.

BEST WISHES TO ALL
LoriWV 3 Jun 2011
How do we see when an individual posts pics???
OneMuneca 3 Jun 2011
Thanks LoriWV i have to see PS Tuesday
LoriWV 3 Jun 2011
Good Luck!!

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