Buying new clothes before surgery?

(you can tell by all the posts today that i have to much time on my hands)

I am wanting to buy some new uniforms (nurse) and some new summer clothes. Surgery will probably be in July.

Should I or should I wait. I would love to loose about 10-15 pounds but with surgery I am not sure.

GA

Hi GA,

I bought 3 sun dresses and two nightgowns pre-op. I had some clothes that were loose on me pre-op and thought that I could use them. That didn't work out too well..... I wouldn't buy too many things before a few weeks after the surgery. Maybe a dress or two. I'd hold off buying uniforms until after the surgery, closer to when you will be released go back to work, because some folks don't have much trouble with 'swelly belly' and some folks have 'swelly belly' for quite awhile. For myself, it isn't simply my persistent swelly belly, it's also finding things that work well with this shape I have right now. The day of my six week check-up I went shopping and bought myself a few things to mix and match as a 'transition wardrobe'......I am losing weight but I still need to accomodate my 'amazing expanding belly'.

So there is a huge difference in your belly--even 6 weeks out?

I am at 6 1/2 weeks post surgery and still have the swelly belly. I agree that waiting to shop could be your best bet. I had a few loose dresses that I've worn post surgery and they are great. I am usually a pants wearer. I also brought inexpensive cotton panties a couple of sizes larger than usual. Because I had to wear pads in my panties for a while, I cut the front out of a couple of panties, to allow my incisions to be uncovered while still being able to wear the pad.

In this last week I attempted to go back to my regular panties, but they are too uncomfortable. I've also tried looser stretch pants with an elastic waist - they are OK for a little while. The last couple of days I've worn my most comfortable jeans for several hours at each wearing - not a good idea. I have regressed in how tender my stomach feels. So, my experimenting is over for a few weeks. I'm sticking to the dresses and plan to buy a couple more, maybe adding skirts with a looser waist.

If you do decide to shop, erring on the side of styles loose in the middle would probably be a wise move. Staying away from tighter elastic waist is also probably a good idea. You would think that elastic would be comfortable, but not necessarily.

I would wait until after your surgery to buy any clothes. I have had to buy some clothes as my swelly belly is so bad. I cannot even fit any of my regular clothes. Not even tops or sweats or pj's. I had one pair of pants, short and shirt that were way too big before that fit. I had to break down and go buy some clothes. I bought some jeans but after wearing them for a few hours is enough. I find that the zipper etc. rubs on my incision and my big belly. I just bought a skirt, kind of like the ones on the old navy commercial and it is very comfortable. Good luck!
Kat

Yes, GA, there is still a big difference. Not everyone swells as much as I have, but most of the posts I've read (with the exception of maybe 2) have all indicated that swelly belly stays around for awhile.