I realize we're in the minority here, so I wanted to share a male NSV with my "Band of Brothers" out there. Pre-band, I wore size 48 Jockey briefs. My local department store carries the Jockey "Big-Man" sizes (48 and above), but there's a catch. Big-Man briefs come in a package of 2 for $16.50. So when I'd need six sets of briefs, it was $50 or $8.25 a pair, rather steep, by what's the alternative? It's expensive to be overweight.

Well, my supply of 48's is now much too large for me after dropping 40 pounds pre- and post-surgery, so I went back to see about smaller sizes. Now shopping in the regular Jockey section, a package of 3 briefs, size 44, is $17. Great deal so far, right; now it's "buy two, get one free". So 6 pairs is only going to cost me $34.

But wait, as I'm about to checkout, I see a clearance table and guess what? Jockey briefs, package of 3, size 44, $8.50 (now we're under $3 a pair). So I grab two packages of 44 and, when do you ever find Jockey on sale, I grab 2 packages of size 42, planning for the future.

I go to the checkout counter and the clerk begins to ring up the clearance packages and the register displays $4.99 a package. Hold on, now the cost per pair just dropped to $1.65. Back to the clearance table for sizes 40 and, just for good measure, 38. Grand total for 24 pairs of briefs was $42 tax included.

I just bought 24 pairs of Jockey brand men's briefs for less than 6 pairs of "Fat-Boy" (oops, Big-Man) briefs. Damn that felt terrific. I was just tickled pink. And my DH was with me on the underwear excursion so she got to share my joy firsthand.

I don't mean to toot my own horn; in fact, I have so, so much to be thankful for. I just wanted to share this experience, because I know how downright demeaning it was for me to have to shop at the Fat-Boys stores. Maybe someone on the verge of deciding whether or not to get banded will benefit from this rambling.

Just as an aside, anyone looking for large-size name-brands mens wear, e.g. Dockers, Jockey, at reasonable prices may want to check out Gustwillers.com; it's a clothing store in Ohio that carries large sizes in name brands at below MSRP prices.

Bill, that's a great story! It must have felt like Christmas to you. :clap2:

What a great incentive also to get into those "nearly free" smaller sizes as well. You should be proud!

Jo Ann

Sugar Land

I am heading to Casual Male right now myself for some new clothes. It's good to "down-size", isn't it? And cheaper!!!

Nice story.