Day 1: Return To Work Dress

I'm officially back on the Payroll for work!  No more Jammie Jams for me.  Fortunately I get an Office Day, where I get to do administrative work from my home office. At least for the next couple days.  But, Day 1, where I have to interact with people is coming up on Thursday.  What to wear to make me feel semi-normal again?  Banana Republic's Gemma Wrap Dress. There is also a sale going right now!

I received my gray AND black version last week, and I tried it on over the weekend to see how it looks.  Not too shabby.  Professional and feminine.  Ordered a LARGER size to make sure it's comfy (and so I wouldn't get depressed over not fitting into my old size).  The fabric drapes nicely, but I had to put on a Yummie Tummie Slip to smooth out my bumps.  The slip did well, without hurting my incisions, but I haven't worn it out all day yet.  We'll see how that goes.

Not willing to spend more than $50 on this dress?  Go to Old Navy and take a look at their Tie-Front Wrap Dress in many colors...

Week 1 and 2 Post Op Clothing: Some Hyster Fashion Girl Suggestions

So what does a girl wear after surgery?  Hyster Sisters gives a wonderful list of items and suggestions.  You must basically dress as comfortably as possible.  For me, I was sent home with a Foley Catheter (for two freakin weeks) and a drain tube that was attached to my side ab.  Gross.  So the last thing on my mind, was looking great for the husband or my family that visited.  So what did I wear?  The best clothing choice I made was wearing my husband's clothes.  I used his sleeveless T-shirts to make room for the incision areas to breathe.  I wore his scrubs pants since they have drawstring, they were super baggy and adjustable. I need the bagginess to make room for the Foley bag and catheter. 

But one of my favorite pieces was my jersey skirt.  I had the Bodega Skirt from Athetica from last year, and I never appreciated it as much as I appreciated for Weeks 1-2 at home.  I still wore my hubbie's big T-shirts over it, along with a decent sports bra to cover the girls, but that skirt made life easier for me as far as providing room for the catheter, plus bag, and walking around the house.  The elastic waist felt like it wasn't even there, nor did it put any pressure on the incision sites.  I was able to put it on OVER my head, and so it kept me from having to bend my legs or reaching down to pull it up.  Athletica has a variety of these skirts that helped me out. 

This skirt from Athleta retails $54.00, which is why I only own one. There are other similar styles on the site at the same cost. I will say, that Athleta does offer different sizes for different body types: Petite, Regular, Tall, and Plus sizes.   BUT, I found a similar style available at Old Navy's site for only $16.99 - $19.99!

As far as going to the doctor, with my catheter (a small foley bag for the leg), I stuck to the BAGGIEST pair of sweats I could find.   I also covered up my top half with the baggiest sweatshirt I had since I carried around the tubing from my abs.   I walked around the medical building like a 90 year old woman, but at least I was able to walk to the doctor's office. 

A suggestion for some baggy sweats called Vintage Flare Crop Pants at Victoria's Secret (also available in full length legs. I went shopping the weekend before surgery and bought a couple pairs one size larger than I normally wear. The thick elastic waistband is totally comfortable. No drawstring, but roomy and comfy for the incision area. I'm wearing a pair right now! Although I only wore these sweats going to the doctor's office, and only after they took the catheter and tubing out.  I say if you are sent home with a catheter, stick to the skirt!

The Boyfriend Pants available at Victoria's Secret.  I don't own a pair, but I did try them on, and they are VS's baggiest style.

Swelly Belly Dress #3

Draped Jersey Dress.  I’m in LOVE with ruching and draping this season! No matter what size you are, that extra fabric hides those unwanted bumps and bellies!  Look for pieces that cinch at the waist, if you can.  Especially if your measurements accomodate a small waist or hourglass figure.  Tulip skirts should be avoided since they make curvy girls' hips look wider than they really are, but if your overall shape is more "straight" due to the swelly belly, the draped tulip skirts may help in that department. 

1.  Maggie London available at Nordstrom's
2.  Ann Klein Dress available at Macy's
3.  Suzi Chin available at Dillard's
4.  Lauren by Ralph Lauren available at Dillard's

Bargains Under $30!

I found some killer styles for work under $30!!!! And they're Swelly Belly Friendlly! Wow! For me, on regular work days, I have lunch breaks generally between 12:30pm – 2pm, so if I’m lucky, I fit shopping into that time.  Two of my favorite bargain places (besides TJ Maxx and Ross) are Target and Old Navy.  We’re sticking with the Target & Old Navy since I want to concentrate on internet shopping.  But if you are able-bodied, run over to your local stores and see these in person.  They might be even less expensive if they are on the clearance racks in the stores. 

These pieces are all jersey knit or cotton (for warm weather), and come in different colors, but I chose to post photos of them in black and dark blue.  You can always accessorize or wear fab shoes for some pop.  When you opt to buy less expensive clothes for work, the material might not be as high a quality as the more expensive versions from the department stores.  But during times of transition, especially when our bodies are not exactly cooperating with us,  steals like these come in handy.

1-5 are all available at Target

6-8 are available at Old Navy

Pool Time

Week 6 is fast approaching – that means I’ll be allowed to hit the beach or the pool and get IN the water.  With my incisions and scars, I am NOT about to put on any of my bikinis - don't want to scare away the kiddies.  So here’s what I just ordered online from Victoria’s Secret (Semi-Annual Sale!). The Plunge Monokini by Kenneth Cole seems to cover up the torso in the right places.  I'll have a strange tan line, but who else but my husband and physician is going to see my bare torso this summer?

Swelly Belly Dress #2

Flared Shirtdress.  Shirt dresses are normally flattering on almost all body types.  Especially if you take off the matching belts that come with it, and add your own.  These dresses below have a more flared skirt to help hide the belly and add to the comfort of walking around the office.  If you want to add a splash of color, switch out the belt that comes with the dress.  Looks like Jones New York is belly friendly.

1. Jones New York available at Bloomingdales

2. Jones New York available at Macy's

3.Calvin Klein available at Macy's

4. Jones New York available at Zappos

Swelly Belly Dress #1

Sundress with a pleated A-line skirt.  The black and white pieces would be cute with a short sleeve sweater or ¾ sleeve sweater in red, or any bright color.  The pleats are the key to hiding that post-surgical belly! I like how the waist line is cinched, with or without a belt.  

1.  Ann Klein Dress  available at Macy's

2. Taylor Dress Available at Macy's

3. Nine West Dress available at Macy's (on sale and going fast!)

4. Trina Turk 'Princess' Ponte Knit Dress available at Nordstroms

Want some cute belts to add to these dresses? 

Available at Anthropologie

Available at Banana Republic

About Hyster Fashion Girl

Okay, ladies:

It’s week 5 post-op, so I am approaching the dreaded day of returning back to work.  In the past 4 weeks,  I’ve spent time on the most wonderful site (http://www.hystersisters.com/) reading and learning about all of our recovery experiences, and I have been so grateful in having you all share your stories.  Now, that week 6 is almost here, I am starting to worry about what to wear for work! 

I’m 30-ish years old, a pharmaceutical rep, that drives around all day to doctors’ offices, so I used to wear pantsuits, fitting suit dresses and cute sundresses.  I’m 5’0” and formerly a size 2 (pre-op).  Doesn’t matter what size you used to be Pre-op.  Most hysterectomy patients will have a larger tummy due to the operation, and lack of activity afterwards.  Now, if any of you are like me, I refuse to wear any of my old work clothes with my new “swelly belly.”  The other day, I tried on one of my cute work dresses, and it zipped up, but my belly was just saying a big hello from the side view.  Yikes.  I’m going to be realistic and assume that I probably won’t go back to a size 2 for a while, so instead of getting depressed over not being my former tiny self, I’m just going to move on, and shop for new (and hopefully affordable) larger clothes that allow my body to recover through the inital work days.

So now that I still have tons of free time to browse the internet during my disability, I’m hunting online for dresses (no pants!) for Southern California summer heat, that are forgiving for the pouch that is my new companion, the Swelly Belly.  Since posting links on the wonderful Hyster Sister forum is breaking their rules, I am dedicating this blog to my sisters and anyone else who is interested, to my fashion finds. There were no other threads or sites that were dedicated to finding work clothes for women with post surgical issues. One of the most important things for me, is to create some normalcy when returning to the "real world" and work.  I'll need all the help I can get to make me feel normal those first few days back at work.  Or at least to help me feel pretty.  One less thing to worry about, so I can focus on getting stronger.  Hope these help you out as well.  Remember to wear your supportive undergarments!