Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Feeling Out Of Place While Shopping



Recommended Posts

Basically, right now, I'm in between Plus and Regular Size clothes. I am trying not to buy much until I'm at or closer to goal, but being a professional, I need some key pieces that aren't too big, especially pants. I do not want to look sloppy at work. I feel so out of place shopping in the regular section. I feel like people are looking at me like "IMPOSTER.....get back to your department." Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point.

Will I ever overcome this?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know if you'll overcome it, but you stated how I feel about clothes shopping very well. I keep waiting on security to come and drag me, kicking and screaming, back to the plus size section! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am sure that you will. And as someone that is only 2 weeks out, I can tell you that I can't wait until I can be a regular size. I am a size 24. My favorite store to shop is Target, but their plus size section seems so marginalized. On a little corner, with so little options. Cheer up!!!! You are right there where a lot of us would love to be!! And it is only going to get better for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OMG! I always feel like that! My wife (any other gay sleevers out there?) is small - at the time of our wedding she was a size 2. Great thing about the lesbian relationship is being able to clothes shop and shoe shop with your beloved without the grousing. :) I felt like every time we went into JCrew or the Gap, people would think I didn't belong there and were staring at me. It made me hate shopping - I'd find a comfy husband chair and sit outside and wait for her. Now that she's pregnant, when we go maternity shopping I think the sales people think *I'm* the pregnant one!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I worked in a nice retail clothing chain throughout college and I can tell you that you would have to be wayyyyyy out of your size range for a salesperson to even blink about what section you are browsing in. People come in all different shapes and sizes so I never stopped being surprised whose butt fit into which size of pants! Even then, you could be shopping as a gift for someone else. Being able to fit a pinky toe into regular sizes is a huge accomplishment - keep your head held high. You belong there!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

:-) At the end of the school year, I went summer-clothes shopping and actually burst into tears in Penney's because I felt so disoriented--I knew exactly where to go for "my" clothes--the women's department, duh, and Lane Bryant, and Avenue--in these "new" stores, it seemed there were so many choices, and I had no idea what size I wore or how to find anything! I had a little melt-down.

At that time, i was just about a year out from surgery. I was almost used to being at my goal weight, and I was almost used to NOT being "the fat one." I can tell you that in three short months of summer, somehow I have blown right into "YAY!! I can shop anywhere, anytime, for anything!!!!" and it's a fantastic feeling! YES you will get past that discomfort. YES you will learn your "new" body and its sizes and what looks best, and YES it will be FUN.

This is a HUGE deal for me--I, too, have to dress professionally for work, and I always dreaded trying to find appropriate plus-size clothes (I wore 26/28 prior to surgery) that didn't look like tents.... SO difficult! And I used to sweat so much during hot weather or when I got hot working (I'm a conductor, so a pretty physical occupation) that my clothing also had to not look gross when dripping wet--another layer of complexity. Now all those problems have been solved--I rarely break a sweat any more, even in this HORRID south Louisiana heat and humidity, plus I can wear button-up blouses without worrying about a clothing "malfunction." Oh yeah, you'll get used to it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can totally relate. Happened to me when I was a size 16/18. Now I am a 12 (single digits come soon pls!! ) and shopping in regular stores. It feels awesome to have some many choices but I still feel weird and I feel that people are staring at me thinking fat girl get out of our store. I know it's my mind playing tricks on me. It hasn't gotten use to the idea that we are not that size anymore. Congrats!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×