OK, I bought this Firm Control Body Shaper after reading review of many, many similar items.  I have bought a lot different ones over the years,(When I was a bit bigger than I am now) and this one has such high reviews and a very reasonable price, I decided, why not. What's one more body shaper added to my collection?  It does have pretty firm hold, but lets be honest.  Our bodies are still how our bodies are no matter how we try to stuff them into spandex and expect to look super model thin, if we are ordering a body shaper, we probably won't hit that mark! (Disclaimer: Being Super Model thing is NOT what I think is gorgeous. Each of us just how we are, now that is gorgeous to me.)  I am 5'2, and only weigh just under 120, so it isn't that my weight was a problem. I had a beautiful slinky Calvin Klein dress for my sons wedding (and you wouldn't believe where I got the dress and what I payed, but if I told you, I would sound way too cheap!) that I wanted to have a totally flat stomach in.  I do not have a totally flat stomach to begin with, and no, this did not transform it into perfectly flat.  It did however help that issue and I thought it helped my thighs be sucked in a bit.  I really could give it a 5, and me a 4, but I am going to let it share in my flaws!  (Good product for a good price. Yes, I would recommend it!)