Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Devoted October 2021

Health issues and sizes

Danielle, on July 24, 2019 at 9:21 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 14

Saved

Flag
Hide content

Two years after dealing with fibromyalgia among other health issues I was extremely sick for a few months. It was like a stomach bug but worse and didn’t stop. After 3 doctors and months of losing weight and not being able to eat and being sick to my stomach nonstop I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis which is a digestive motility disease. I had lost about 30 pounds. I can’t even begin to get into the disease because it’s rare and complicated but basically I can’t digest food the way a normal person can and this causes issues with the digestive track. So fast forward to now and I was able to put back on about 15 pounds in two years but in the past 3 months I’ve lost 10 again. One issue with the disease is that sometimes we don’t absorb the nutrition properly. Eventually I will need a feeding tube but I’m okay for now! However, there’s no possible way to know if I will keep losing more or gain, what will happen next year with my weight. Losing the 10 pounds has already made me ring that was resized down to a smaller size and is now still too big and bigger then it was when I resized it 3 months ago. I’m also worried about my wedding dress. I know that’s something you get about 8 months beforehand but as you see with 3 months. There’s no way to tell if I will gain or loose right before our wedding in October 2020. I do see my GI doctor tomorrow so I’ll see what she says but any ideas would be awesome!!

Flag
Hide content

14 Comments

Latest activity by Danielle, on July 25, 2019 at 12:09 PM

Dedicated December 2019
Grace · on July 24, 2019 at 10:56 PM
Flag

Hide content
When you're losing the weight, how many sizes are you going down? Like 10 lbs on some people is a pant size, for others it's more, depending on where they lose the weight.
If you're only going up and down a size or two, I'd buy whatever dress you like at your bigger weight and save alterations until a month or so before the wedding so you can size down if needed. 1 to 2 sizes down isn't a big deal for a seamstress, unless there's really really intricate lace.
Also when you go in to try on dresses, ask the person you're having the consultation with, ask to talk to their seamstress and address your concerns. They'd know best. If anything a corseted back might be something to consider so you can make it a bit smaller or looser if you gain or lose in the short time after alterations are finished.
- Reply
Devoted October 2021
Danielle · on July 24, 2019 at 11:11 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Since I bloat a lot it can be hard to tell about waist size but I seem to notice the most loss in like my chest and stuff before my stomach! I’d say maybe a size or two but no more then that
- Reply
Champion October 2018
Kelly · on July 24, 2019 at 11:11 PM
Flag

Hide content
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this, I have quite a few friends that have gastroperesis and it’s really tough. I would ask the dress shop their opinion, my dress was able to be taken in quite a few sizes. It’s always easier to take something in than out.
- Reply
Dedicated December 2019
Grace · on July 24, 2019 at 11:24 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
I have an IBD so I understand the bloat struggle when doing sizing. I'm going to be looking at dresses with open hips, like ball gown/A line styles so that I won't be in extra pain if I do bloat terribly that day. Unless you have your heart absolutely set on a form fitting dress, maybe try that too? If your chest size varies the most often, I'd go for when it's bigger and if need be, buy a great padded bra (Victoria secret bombshell adds 2 cups).
Otherwise, mild alterations can be done to size down if you do lose weight right before the wedding.
- Reply
Super September 2020
Jennifer · on July 24, 2019 at 11:25 PM
Flag

Hide content
I have a serious GI medical condition that presents similar weight issues. For example, I had my ring sized down and then lost 8lbs with a flare up and now I'm wearing a small ring guard because I'm scared to resize it again. My situation is probably different in terms of my body and how I lose or gain weight, but I chose an a-line dress just in case I'm super bloated because my bloating happens in the lower abdomen. And, we are talking looking 3 months or so prego because maybe I ate a piece of lettuce and my body wants to throw a tantrum that day. My biggest concern right now is that I tried my gown on at a rather low weight and my waist size is literally exact to the size we ordered the dress in. If I don't maintain my weight, this thing is going to look terrible.

I'm worried that I could end up on prednisone to save my life during the wedding and not fit in my gown, lose my hair (again), and get moon face (again). I ended up purchasing wedding insurance in case anything goes too wrong and I need to cancel.

I think if you give yourself some room in whatever dress you order, you'll be able to size it down if need be. Does the weight loss or gain come on super fast? I mean I have lost 12lbs in 4 days from not being able to eat, but the gaining takes months.
- Reply
Super September 2020
Jennifer · on July 24, 2019 at 11:26 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
IBD here too and I did this! A-line just especially for my wonky colon. Thankfully I also like a-line dressess...
- Reply
Champion October 2018
Kelly · on July 24, 2019 at 11:37 PM
Flag

Hide content
I spent a decade in and out of treatment centers for an eating disorder and gastroperesis is a really common side effect of eating disorders. Several of my friends had to get feeding tubes and one got a gastric pacemaker. Definitely look for a corset back and find a good seamstress. Wishing you luck!
- Reply
Devoted October 2021
Danielle · on July 24, 2019 at 11:39 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Amen to the pain bloating can cause when you have a digestive disease! I definitely planned for a ball gown style and my chest is the first place I loose and gain weight!
- Reply
Champion December 2017
earias · on July 24, 2019 at 11:42 PM
Flag

Hide content
It's actually pretty common in people with diabetes because diabetes causes the digestive system to slow down a lot. I was recently referred to a GI specialist because my doctor suspected I had it (I'm diabetic) but it ended up being a massive colon polyp that required major surgery last month to remove. I completely understand how you feel about your weight fluctuating a lot. One of my symptoms was extreme bloating that was very painful. I wish you the best in your journey!
- Reply
Devoted October 2021
Danielle · on July 24, 2019 at 11:46 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
The bloating from the Gastroparesis is similar to what your saying! God forbid I drink some water and I look three months pregnant! I’m trying to go with ball gown that cuts at the higher waist so if I bloat no one can see. I have also been going through hair loss, it’s so thick that it’s not very noticeable just seems thinner. The weight loss can vary unfortunately but I do weigh myself often, it helps me keep track but with all the engagement stuff going on I didn’t think to check, my ring was more loose but I didn’t realize I went down 10 pounds. I’m sure as you know it’s almost always impossible to know what digestive diseases will do day to day!
- Reply
Devoted October 2021
Danielle · on July 24, 2019 at 11:50 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Unfortunately I’m idiopathic! Don’t have diabetes and I never had a eating issue. I can see how an eating disorder causes it, your training your nerve to work different which would damage it. I have a lot of autoimmune issues and immunodeficiency so they think that’s related but no stimulator because my body probably will reject it and I probably need a feeding tube in the future but we are trying to avoid that as long as possible.
- Reply
Devoted October 2021
Danielle · on July 24, 2019 at 11:55 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Yes diabetic people mostly get it! Me? Not a diabetic! I’m the percent they call idiopathic. The reason it happens in diabetics is because the constant fluctuation of blood sugar can damage the nerve that controls all this. I couldn’t stop throwing up for months. Now we cut out all the foods which are hard to digest ( there’s so many!) and it helps the vomiting but I still deal with a lot of the symptoms like nausea bloating lack of appetite and all that! Sorry to hear about your colon!!
- Reply
Champion December 2017
earias · on July 25, 2019 at 12:10 AM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment

I'm so sorry to hear of your struggle! I had symptoms of throwing up, bloating, nausea, constipation and gas. So far since my surgery, I've been symptom-free. After surgery I had to be on a liquid and then a soft food diet for several weeks and had to avoid meat, fruit and veggies because they are hard to digest. I can now eat what I want but I can't go crazy with greasy food (which is better for me anyway) since part of my colon is gone.
- Reply

Devoted October 2021
Danielle · on July 25, 2019 at 12:09 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
I can see why they thought it was Gastroparesis! That’s pretty much my diet. No red meats or meats in large amounts, no veggies, fruit with skin in a no no and things like sauce or spicy or greasy food can aggravate symptoms and make you sick! So I eat a lot of carbs and mini candies ( processed food digests easily unfortunately) and liquid diets when I can’t eat or don’t really feel hungry! I’m so glad that your issue was something they could fix!!!!!😊
- Reply