I've had some medical issues over the past two months (not surgery/sleeve complications), so I've been preoccupied and not paying close attention to my weight loss. I realized a few days ago that my clothes are falling off. I decided to get a few things at Target, which led to today's NSV: I bought my first non-plus size shirts and dresses!

My shopping experience was surreal. I started in Target's extremely inadequate plus-size department, but then I decided to try on the largest misses size (XXL). I started with a striped maxi dress. I couldn't believe it when it actually went over my body. I really couldn't believe it when I didn't want to break the mirror. Sure, I'm still "fluffy," but for the first time in years, I felt like my curves were attractive. This is a EPIC accomplishment for me.

Outside of the dressing room, I felt like a fraud, though. I'd already confirmed for myself that I could fit into misses XXL, but I felt like people were judging me for straying outside the plus-size section. I actually felt paranoid that someone was going to walk up to me and suggest I stop looking in the misses section. For years, shopping for clothes has been demoralizing and painful for me. I guess it's going to take some time to get over that history. It seems silly to get so emotional over shopping, but I couldn't help my feelings.

How do you feel as you shop for smaller clothes?

First, congrats. You are NOT a fraud my dear. You deserve it! WLS is not a miracle drug, it takes work. My surgeon always says that he did his part on surgery day and it is my job to finish it. I will say that the fraud feeling has not left me. I still see myself as that 294 pound woman that had to shop in the plus size section. It is difficult for me to grasp that I am no longer overweight. I was super morbidly obese when I first started. Now, I am "normal". People tell me how thin I look and it is hard for me to even think that I am now thin. It's a change just realizing all that is possible now. Good luck in this journey.

I was just thinking about this yesterday. I ordered a dress online in a L and was nervous it was going to fit. It arrived in the TINIEST box (WTH Nordstorm) and when I pulled it out I kept thinking that it was so small and no way was it going to fit. It does and looks fantastic (once I Iron it) but I am still in awe at what fits me now.

Enjoy the new discovery, I personally think this is the fun part especially since we went through so much to get here.

i still haven't gotten the courage yet to order myself something online. the last thing i got was a torrid swimsuit, their smallest size hoping that by the time i needed it that it would fit, and it was too big. all the different vanity sizes make me nervous to order something and it not fit!

Oh and you cannot believe how exciting it is to cut up your Lane Bryant card! When you realize you cannot shop in a plus size store ever again, it is a great NSV!

girl! lol totally posted that as an nsv a few months ago! it was indeed a wonderful feeling