Hear they are everyone, responses to a recent query about how to tame a tummy after carrying twins:

Spanx! Bloomingdale's carries it in the lingerie section. They come in different lengths, sizes, really function well as body shapers. [There were countless recommendation for Spanx, and as many suggestions re where to purchase them, including QVC, Liana, Town Shop. Paris]

I bought a panty at the Town Shop on Broadway in the 80s which actually helped. I think it's called the Body Wrap, but if you explain to them what you're looking for they'll know exactly what it is. I was originally looking for a very snug tank top or undershirt that would hold the tummy in, but these panties work well. They come in full or thong, and they go either up to the belly button or all the way up to under the breasts. It's worth checking out.

Fellow twin mom and Pilates instructor Randi Stone has helped me, but I also use Spanx. I read somewhere a while ago that after the birth of her daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow would wear two pairs of Spanx at a time to retrain herself to suck her tummy in. I also have a friend who is a trainer at Reebok and she gave me the same advice about the Spanx. And they say "nine months on, nine months off," but I say with twins you should say "nine months on, 18 months off!"

When I had my daughter, I immediately started wearing one of those incredibly tight body minimizers/shapers - think of squeezing yourself into sausage casing and you'll get the idea. It does two things: helps support your baggy skin and sucks in all that flab, and it gives you a nice clean line in clothes (no bulges!). I was able to get into pants two sizes smaller than I would have without it on. And although the minimizers are VERY tight, you kind of get used to them.

There is a place called Bra Tenders at 638 Ninth Avenue, Suite 601. Phone number 212 957 7000. Their specialty is working with stage actresses, opera singers and Broadway stars. They have an unbelievable, enormous selection of products to help support and shape tummies and bust area. Their prices are not discounted, but their selection is out of this world and their salespeople are like those from a different era. They take you into a huge fitting room and they bring you loads of options to try before you make a selection.

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