I don't know about you all, but I do adore vanity sizing. I don't care if it's not accurate. According to Ann Taylor, I am a size 8. It's too bad I'm too cheap to actually buy Ann Taylor pants, but that's what my thrift store is for

So where else should I shop for my "size 8" pants?

I love it too. My favorite jeans right now are actually a pair of Ann Taylor hand-me-down's from a friends daughter. They are too big now, but I wear a belt.

The first time I zipped up a sz. 8 Ann Taylor skirt and also a pair of sz. 8 jeans almost made me break down in tears. What a wonderful psychological feeling!!

Congrats to you all!

Talbots

Oh yeah, Talbots is a good one.

I think Jones New York runs big too.

I am no help on the shopping issue but just wanted to chime in to say CONGRATS to you for getting into such a smaller size, WOW, way to go!

Hi all! I get banded 11/9..I love hearing success stories. Do you mind sharing yours? Start weight and date and end weight and date? I read so many negative things on the board..I like hearing the good stuff!! It is very motivating!

Hi all! I get banded 11/9..I love hearing success stories. Do you mind sharing yours? Start weight and date and end weight and date? I read so many negative things on the board..I like hearing the good stuff!! It is very motivating!

I was banded one year ago, yesterday

I started my 6 month diet at 293 and did low-carb. I found out after 5 months that even though my insurance company covers the band, my employer excluded it, so my surgery got put on hold until I could switch to my husband's plan. By the time I got approved, it was a year later and I returned from my August 2010 vacation at 286. Knowing that I had surgery in a month and completely determined to get my head in the game, I put myself on a strict Atkins low-carb diet for the entire month + between vacation and surgery (my doc only required liquids for a week). I lost 22 lbs and went into surgery at 264. I cannot stress enough how I believe that the pre-op diet I put myself on was the key to my success. I got a jump-start on everything, so that by the time I had surgery, my appetite/stomach was already shrunk and I was mentally used to having to control what I put in my mouth.I kept low-carbing (but less strictly) for the first 6 months of my banded life. In December 2010 I weighed 220, and I hit Onederland in March 2011.

Today, one year after surgery, I weigh 161. I am thisclose to a normal BMI and I have every confidence I'll get there someday, even though my loss has really slowed down over the last month. I wear a medium in shirts and a 10 (almost 8) in pants. As suggested in this thread, some brands I am a size 8, lol!

I keep my band on the "loose" side. I have had three fills, so I've got some in there, but my goal has always been to feel appetite suppression, NOT restriction. My band does not stop me from eating food, I stop me from eating food and I try to make healthy choices 70-80% of the time. Because of that, I have only gotten stuck and PB'ed (a non-lower-stomach type of vomitting) one time-- last month, actually, on a piece of raw broccoli I clearly didn't chew.

I do have room for improvement. I don't really exercise and so my body is not in as good a shape as it could be if I did. I'd most likely be in a smaller size of clothing and of course, have better cardiovascular health. It has also been really difficult for me to remind myself to drink Water and I am HORRIBLE at getting in the amount of liquid I need to in a day.

Anyway, there is my story-- good luck to you on your November surgery. Obviously, my number one piece of advice is to get your head straight now-- don't look at the next two months as your last chance to eat xyz-- it isn't your last chance, for one, and even if it were-- I promise, no single food or drink is worth the price in trying to hold onto it like it gives our lives some special meaning. Practice some of the behaviors you'll have to rely on later and that post-op "bandster hell" time won't be such hell.

Lane Bryant carries these types of jeans/pants. I"ve been a 5/6 in their store when I'm a 24/26 in other stores. You're right...it is a psychological boost...especially when you're working out and eating healthy and trying to lose weight.

YAY! stateofzen! Congrats on your "size 8"! Wow ... part of me can hardly wait to get there and part of me is a little scared. The scared part is all the sagging skin that it would bring ... but hey ... I'd rather get there than not. LOL! So, I am on my way!

Congrats to all who have made it there. I love, love, love Ann Taylor!

Keep up the good work.

~Fran