I'm 7 weeks post-hysterectomy (LAVH-BSO) and still have a huge belly! My doctor assures me this is normal, and may last several months, but now I have to go back to work and nothing fits! I'm a university professor, and does anyone have any ideas about professional looking clothes, especially pants, that will fit my puffy tummy? I tried the Comfort waist chino pants from LLBean that have elastic in the back, and I wore them to work last Friday, but after awhile, they were killing me! So what I thought would be a good solution, didn't work. Any ideas?

Well, you'd have to have pants with elastic all the way around, right? In other words, if we start with the pants, we have to figure out what you are able to wear comfortably. It would seem that pants with a loose top are the solution for now. Then we move to what you could wear WITH them. A closely-fitting or tailored jacket would not work probably, unless you wear a loose blouse under the jacket.

The way I see it, you would first choose the pants that you can wear without discomfort, and then choose what you wear on top. Unless we consider a loose dress and/or skirt, but this may mean hosiery, and that's a nightmare, so forget that! (I HATE stockings, as do most women!)

I'd have a few pairs of loose, comfortable slacks, and then buy pretty (loose) blouses or shirts. I don't know what else to do. Hope this helps a little.

Jana,

I suggest you go online to the Coldwater Creek catalog. (Not suppose to put the website in the message. Just add www in front of the catalog name I just gave you ) They have clothes that are stylish and loose fitting. I think you may find some selections that will get you through this awkward period. If you find something to help, get them quickly by 2-day shipping. I can just feel your discomfort at having to stand before your class, not feeling the confidence that comes with looking your best.

My best wishes to you!
T'Pow

Thanks for the great ideas! I like Coldwater Creek tops, but I couldn't find any tall pants there (I'm 5'11").

I think I've found the perfect pants, they came in the mail yesterday from LandsEnd, so today is the first day I've worn them. They are "stretch pants" made of cotton/spandex, and have elastic all the way around the waist, only they don't look like elastic waist pants! I got black, but they also come in navy, brown, khaki and I think dark grey. I love them!! They are super comfy and really stretchy, and feel like wearing pj's only they look really nice. They are kind of slim fitting, but not at all tight. And they have the newer "boot cut" pant leg, but not too wide. Just right! Even my husband said they looked dressy! Plus they come in tall. Kind of pricey ($40) but after seeing them and trying them on, I think they are worth it. Plus they look nice enough to keep wearing them even when my tummy is less puffy. I think I've found my new favorite pair of pants! Now I can wear tops that don't tuck in, and the pants aren't too bulky underneath (like other elastic waist pants I tried were). Yeah!!!