As of this morning, I’ve lost 55 pounds with the weight loss surgery. Before the operation, I made up my mind that I was not going to hold onto clothes once they became too big. I’m still sticking to that resolve with the exception that I’m going to get a few items taken in by a seamstress just to help me budget-wise.
I’m going to a convention in mid-April and I decided it was time for me to assess my wardrobe. I have a whole closet of clothes that I usually only wear to conventions and conferences or the occasional business meeting. Life here in the Keys is pretty casual, my job included, but I also have some other garments that I wanted to take a look at to decide whether it’s time to put them in the bag to be donated.
I spent a fun hour going through my “conference closet” and trying on various outfits. Clothes that I could no longer wear when I gained a big chunk of weight now fit comfortably again. Other tops and bottoms that I bought in the largest sizes I’d ever had to wear are hanging on me like sacks. The bottoms that are in good shape are going to the seamstress for alteration. The tops are going into the donation pile.
I have enough clothes to see me through the April convention. The pants that I get altered will help me transition through the next 20 or so pound reduction. I have a few pairs of denim shorts that I can only wear if I roll the waist band over once. I think I need to buy a couple of new pairs in my current size or ones that are a little snug, which will also get me through. I think I have enough tops that fit okay to last me for another month or two, depending on how much weight I lose.
All in all, I’m in pretty good shape with my wardrobe — no pun intended. My budget is happy, too. Hopefully the Salvation Army will be pleased with the big bag I’m dragging in tomorrow and those clothes will find new owners.
Even more than the money aspect, it was great to pull on outfits and feel the weight loss — both in the garments that now fit when I was stuffed into them before as well as those that are loose and baggy. When I look at my body in the mirror, I still don’t see the weight loss. (I need to read up on body dysmorphia.) The clothing exercise really helped me greater appreciate the improvement in my body.
It’s going to be great fun to keep going through my closets in the coming months and fill more bags of clothes for donation. I’m sure that I will also greatly enjoy buying new clothes here and there in ever smaller sizes!
Weighty Matters 
Now THAT’s fun!
Congratulations, Mary! 55 pounds is such a great milestone!
I’ve been doing the opposite purge from yours… putting away clothes that are too small. :p But it’s for a purpose, so I don’t mind.
I remember shrinking out of clothes and donating them in the past. It’s such a tremendous feeling. Enjoy it! And treat yourself to something special for your closet. You deserve it.