Ladies and Ovacome TeamI recently completed a Q of L questionnaire as part of research. It made me have a bit of a think about self image and I realised what for me is a big issue could be easily eased. There is plenty of advice on the internet about hair loss and make up but little about how to adjust to and clothe a changed body shape. I realise that all people in life need to adjust to body shape change the difference being this is often a process of years not weeks. Scars, lumps and bumps on the belly and ascites require a different way to dress. In past times we could of tried on clothes in changing rooms and perhaps worked out solutions re fabric type, prints, sizes and styles fairly easily. These days I mainly order off the internet and then have to return items. I wonder if ladies have advice to share or wether there might be a expert out there who could do a workshop for us .. so at least we can internet order with a bit more selective thinking?
Your thoughts and experiences please😁
Written by
Smileeveryday2021
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I was a BIG person but between the original cancer and recurrance I lost 2 st getting down to a size 16 not been that size for about 30+ yrs then came ascites and wishing I hadnt given my big clothes away but that eased when i started chemo and at the moment am 16/18
My worse body yuck is my scars I had 2 ops in the same place so deep cleft in my belly which is noticable through clothes and am very self concious of it
like you I buy on line and return gone are the days of changing rooms xxxx
thanks for responding Tezza. Do you find the fabric choice and use of pattern or plain effects how much you see the tummy cleft? I have also found a trendy scarf round the neck can help camouflage/distract too. Personally I don’t want to wear large, baggy clothes all the time- though they have their place when chilling out on the sofa with a good tv choice!!!
I find that a thicker fabric is best it hangs better without clinging and I tend to do patterns also use a size smaller cami top underneath it fit across the scars and makes it look like there is nothing there. I am so used to wearing big baggy clothes as at one point years ago I was a 30/2 and still struggle to accept the size I am now xxx
I wonder if the Look Good Feel Better charity might have some ideas/ could do a workshop? My most comfortable ascites trousers ended up being some maternity trousers bought online from H and M but that was just luck I came across them. I also bought some larger size lounge wear from Sainsburys but if I'd actually needed something smart to wear I would have struggled.
thanks Loorunner. I never thought of maternity trousers/clothes even though at times I have felt and looked like a pregnant duck (no offence to ducks). I assume they would fit better than trousers/clothes several sizes bigger which might get your tummy in but be far too big everywhere else? A good tip!
Agree, agree. No advice on sudden and drastic change in body shape. After my oc major op, one year ago, I have stayed with the 5 to 6 months pregnant look with ballooned tummy. But am well, so must hold onto the bigger picture - I think I should rephrase this to hold on to the important stuff! Being tiny in stature, probably does not help as nowhere to put the balloon but out front.
My wArdrobe now consists entirely of tiered dresses, mainly M&S online. Pattered and plain fabrics. Wear lots of necklaces and earrings to divert attention from tummy.
Still have all the beautiful pre op clothes size 10. Can’t bear to discard. Anyone found any other source apart from M&S?
thanks for responding trickysite. I too pre OC was a petite person and have no clue what to do with the tummy. You are completely right about the bigger picture however I would just like to feel more confident about how I look….xx
hi, I borrowed some of my daughter‘s maternity leggings to see how they felt, and then bought some myself online from a place called love Leggins, they didn’t just have the tighter thicker material which you can’t see through no matter how stretched and big your legs are, but they also had jogging bottoms styles with plenty of room in the front, I hope that helps and I found them true to size with their measuring guide x
I haven’t got ascites but am recovering from major op - I bought tiered dresses - knee length, patterned and paired with a tank top for a layered look. Have just got sone maternity leggings and tights, as I discovered the maternity jogging bottoms I didn’t wear after my first op this year are actually quite nice and the bump bit covers my scar softly all the way up to my bra! I ordered a longer dress online and it arrived and I looked really horrible in it, so length could be important too as well as patterned. I like the idea mentioned of an accessory to divert the eyes.
When I had ascites I mainly wore joggers , with a big shirt blouse or a loose sweater If I had need to wear a dress , I had a drop waist shirt dress (the brand was ‘Hush’)
Thank you for your post and I can see you've had some really helpful replies from the community.
As Loorunner mentioned, Look Good Feel Better are a charity which run workshops and have tutorials around make-up, hair and clothes during and after cancer treatment. I thought you might be interested in their Virtual Styling for Confidence workshop, which is free to attend. Details are on their website here: lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/vi...
We are always looking for suggestions as to what webinars and online talks would be most helpful for us to run, so we will look into arranging a body confidence and styling workshop. Thank you very much for sharing your experience. If there is anything we can help with in the meantime, please do get in touch.
Hi - I recently wrote to Marks & Spencer to tell them that alhough their pull-on trousers are comfortable round the waist the legs are always too wide. I have two quite large incisional hernias and normal waistband are really uncomfortable. I pointed out to M & S that most women after a certain age become larger round the waist but that doesn't mean that our legs have got bigger! I used to like their treggings but they have discontinued them which leaves me with a relaxed waist and flapping legs. If anyone has found something similar to treggings I would be very grateful to know about them.
I buy pull on trousers at Asda ! With regard to the fatter legs,its the same scenario with sleeves, when I went up to a size 16 from 14 , , the sleeves got longer and longer, I wasnt aware that getting bigger meant your arms grew !
I am a totally different shape and have what my surgeon called ‘A pretty impressive scar’ I had a wound infection and needed vac dressings to pull it together. It took so long to heal I found myself comfortable in very different clothes compared to the ‘old’ me. I never wore dresses, but now wear them all the time, unless it’s windy. I thought I’d miss my old uniform of tops and trousers, but I really don’t. I find I’m much more comfy in dresses.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Ascites. Permanent drain. 
Ascitic Drain for Malignancy, advice for mum
Hello Everyone. What are the symptoms of ascites?
How can I get relief for ascites?
