Ok so I will start by saying this body shaper is very well made.  It is so worth the money.  I do not think you should go down a size as one reviewer stated i went with my normal size and it did exactly what it was suppose to do and that is to give me a smoother body.  I pranced around the house in it for a hour after trying it on.  It was a little hard to get on at first but i just laid on bed and my husband assisted me with the hooks.  I think as time goes on it will mold to my body and it won't take all the man power to get it on.  I wish I had bought it a long time ago.  Its the best body shaper I have ever owned and I plan on getting it in the black.