Many folks have a fear of flying, or arachnophobia, etc. Common phobias. Other than a fear of heights, I considered myself fairly fear-free.

Then I lost 75 pounds. That's only halfway to my goal weight, but with everything in my closet falling off me and not enough time to tailor anything but my favorites, my daughter said, "Enough is enough, Mom! You can't make a bra, okay? Time to shop!"

I sighed and gave in. Until we came to the threshold of the lingerie department. My feet wouldn't move further. I stood there, paralyzed with fear some snobby salesclerk would give me the usual contemptuous look. "I'm sorry, Ma'am. We don't carry the larger sizes. May I recommend Lane Bryant at the other end of the mall?" You know, the dismissive flick of the hair, the turned up nose and presenting her back as if you're unworthy to even set foot in her department?

My daughter had to literally trick me to get me in the area by asking me if a certain sexy little bra would work with her wedding gown we'd planned.

Then, because I wasn't the victim/shopper, I could go to her. I was relieved and hoped she'd pulled a fast one, hoping I'd buy her some lingerie for her wedding. To get out of buying for myself there and hoping to go back to buying my lingerie online where I didn't have to be snubbed by salesclerks, I was happy to shop.

My daughter pretended to shop for herself, casually asking my opinion, and eventually she slipped in the question about what size I thought I might be these days.

I fell for it and told her my estimate. After all, I am proud of my much smaller size, even if I'm only halfway to goal.

Quick as a wink, two packages of my size underwear and bras hit the basket. Susan grinned in triumph. "Gotcha, Mom. I saw you admiring these. You can wear them now, you know!"

I gulped. I glanced around furtively, hoping I could make a mad dash for the registers before the salesclerk had me burned alive for sacrilege.

It took me two days to open those packages and try them on. They fit. In fact, they're comfy! My fear is gone, and next on my shopping challenges will be (gulp) buying a pair of jeans in the Misses section, not the "Women's" department. Pray for me!

I decided I'd better mention this horrible fear reaction to my doctor so he could warn the shrink to warn the pre-ops that they might have to face the challenge of a fear of shopping in the normal stores. It's freaky, and I never thought it would happen to me, the clothes horse.

Doctor Baptista said he'd heard of this from several of his patients, but no one had explained it to him until me. He promised to tell the shrink if I'd blog about it.

Save yourselves and shop early and often. Learn to buy one or two pieces as you shrink, or you may face the phobia yourselves. You have nothing to fear from the salesclerks, really. (My mantra.)

All laughter at my expense is welcome. Thank you.

LOL...I did buy the new bras out of necessity (while kneeling down between the racks hiding from any clerks). I haven't braved the briefs yet...it seems all the cute 'little' ones are in one section at my store and I am afraid I'll get looks from the skinny gals if I'm no longer looking at the giant grammy panties. Thanks for your bravery! Maybe I'll take DD with me...

Congrats I still find myself stopping at the plus size and thinking god nothing fits and these are just ugly. They my 4 beautiful daughters tell me, mom other side remember... Being Fat is like a habit hard to break. Take a pic of you in the bra and panties and feel sexy.. Just my size is no longer my modo...

As if to prove the point, my DH playfully yanked my jeans around my ankles in the kitchen this afternoon. (sigh) I don't have time these days to re-tailor my clothes to fit, so I'm wearing the baggy stuff. Most of the time, I wear a belt to prevent mishaps, but I was lazy. I won't make that mistake again, especially with a frisky DH hanging around. (giggle-snerk) Yeah, I love the old fart.

LOL!!! My DH pulled the same "pantsing" on me. Oh my gosh, I was so embarassed that I went out the next day and bought not one but two pair of blue jeans. Since then, I have also started wearing a belt (just in case).:Dancing_wub: