You know, NSV's don't happen to often for me anymore. Of course, last summer was my first swimsuit purchase and wearing in 20 years, and now here I am 5 months pregnant, rocking the bump, rocking the wrinkly thigh skin, and you know what I could give 2 poops what anyone else thinks of me. I've gained a whopping 10lbs with the pregnancy, and it's all belly. My butt is getting a little rounder, but really, I'm so grateful to be able to live the life I have today ! ! !

I can't count how many messages I receive about loose, wrinkly skin ! ! ! My answer is always the same " YEP, I got it, and you know what , I wouldn't change it for the back fat, and looking like can of Grand's biscuits busting at the seam! ! !"

Honestly, who gives a **** about excess skin, and wrinklyness when you aren't slowly dying from obesity. I'm just as vain as the next woman, but let's be realistic, My boobs are deflated, my thighs look like I got beat with a bag of nickels, but I'm healthy, growing another human, and I feel amazing ! ! !

For all of those out there wondering if you should have the sleeve, or what your body is going to look like after surgery, it's a concern, I get it, but it's either live with some loose, wrinkly, flabby skin, or end up in a wooden box from obesity related diseases and conditions.

Yeah I live here, it rocks ! ! !

Ohhhhhhh and the big bump ! ! ! I might look like a beached whale to everyone else, but who the hell cares ! ! ! I'm pregnant, wearing a medium regular swimsuit with bikini bottoms ! ! ! NOT a maternity suit either. . . So, ya know what, I'll enjoy every minute of it.

I do have to cover up somewhat due to risk of melanoma and must use 50-70 SPF sunscreen so yeah I wear a little netting cover up because I've been picked and prodded so much for skin cancer, and have had more moles removed and sent for path reports than I care to count! ! !

You look great, and living the good life!! I love the pics, and i bet it is freaking great living there!! Wishing you more deliriously happy moments sweetie!!

You're so cute!

You look absolutely amazing. Luv the last photo, ur enjoing life w/baby bump and thats what its all about. Congrats again

I think you are BEAUTIFUL!!

Kelly

Tiffykins - great post. I think it's helpful and healthy to give people this type of perspective. People often aren't very realistic (because they don't understand) about what their bodies will and will not be post-op.

Look at that "skinny girl leg crossing" that us fat folks can't do without looking awkward as hell... go you!

I'm always amused when someone posts because they're concerned about the scars from surgery. Hello, you're covered in stretchmarks... you look like an Interstate road map drawn in pearly pink chalk lines... and you're worried about a handful of surgical scars on your abdomen where (likely? hopefully?) no one will ever see?

I will take the wrinkly skin (I already have a bunch of it, and still need to lose 100 or so lbs if that helps you draw a mental image... a large ^ shaped indentation now masquerades as my bellybutton) over the shirt getting caught in my back rolls. The cellulite is here to stay, so I will perpetually look like a sock full of quarters. My skin is essentially wrecked. And that's ok!

(BTW, as a pasty redhead who grew up in So Cal, and daughter of a woman who has survived melanoma twice - I'm with you on the SPF! I should have a frequent visitor card to my dermatologist. Have you seen the "SPF I'm in heaven!" commercial?

If I saw that pic or walked by you I don't think I would think anything but 'damn skinny b***h, she's pregnant and look at her'' I can't tell from these pics any sagginess or any tell tale signs of rapid weight loss.

Awesome, Tiffykins. You are looking fabulous!

You are right. You can't be real heavy and then thin and expect to look the same - obesity has its scars. It is but a small reminder that we don't want to go back there again, right?

So excited for you. I know you are living your dream right now. And you know what, you totally deserve it.

Rock it!!! You look adorable!!

Tiffykins - great post. I think it's helpful and healthy to give people this type of perspective. People often aren't very realistic (because they don't understand) about what their bodies will and will not be post-op.

Look at that "skinny girl leg crossing" that us fat folks can't do without looking awkward as hell... go you!

I'm always amused when someone posts because they're concerned about the scars from surgery. Hello, you're covered in stretchmarks... you look like an Interstate road map drawn in pearly pink chalk lines... and you're worried about a handful of surgical scars on your abdomen where (likely? hopefully?) no one will ever see?

I will take the wrinkly skin (I already have a bunch of it, and still need to lose 100 or so lbs if that helps you draw a mental image... a large ^ shaped indentation now masquerades as my bellybutton) over the shirt getting caught in my back rolls. The cellulite is here to stay, so I will perpetually look like a sock full of quarters. My skin is essentially wrecked. And that's ok!

(BTW, as a pasty redhead who grew up in So Cal, and daughter of a woman who has survived melanoma twice - I'm with you on the SPF! I should have a frequent visitor card to my dermatologist. Have you seen the "SPF I'm in heaven!" commercial?

AMEN SISTER!!!

My stretch marks aren't pearly pink but white lines in a naturally tan bod! The thighs wrinkly from the mid thigh up! And if I took a running start I might take flight with the bat wings on my arms but I don't give a damn LOL. Ok I do but nothing I can do about it and I would rather be healthy. I realized also when I put that tank top on at my sisters wedding that it really doesnt bother me as much as I used to think it did either. Kinda like a badge of honor if you ask me "Hi, ,my name is Raine, and I was one fat bi-aaatch"

Tiffykins you are too damn cute!

YOU GO GIRLIE!!!! You look adorable!!

Thank you all soooooo very much ! ! !

You are looking great Tiffy, so sweet in that bathing suit!! Take care and enjoy every minute of your pregnancy!!

You look adorable! and you are right, we should all be proud that we are not in a box or on our way to be in a box six feet under! I for one do not care that my skin is saggy (I also have 3 kids (a set of twins)), my husband says I'm a sexy b*tch and so do my kids for that matter! I will be rockin my bathing suit and my saggy skin this year and if anyone has a problem with it they do not have to look at me! I worked damn hard to get where I am and I will walk with my head up way high and be proud of it!!!

Patti

Tiff

You look super cute!!!! I am so happy for you and have thought about how your pregnancy is going often! You were an enormous source of support for me when I was getting started and I will never forget that. I'm with you on the wrinkly skin, I look like a sharpei puppy on my legs and tummy and if I don't keep my arms at my sides in a stiff wind, I might take off like a flying squirrel, but it is do damn worth every wrinkle! My life is so wonderful and I have done so many things in the last year that I wouldn't have even dreamed of pre-sleeve - go karts, river float trips, climbing rediculous numbers of stairs to Water slides, not to mention the zip line adventure and hot air balloons coming up in September. Heck I wasn't wearing a bikini at 300lbs, I don't care if I wear one now. I will take my wrinkles, I love them much more than where I was.

Luv ya! Pat that baby bump for me!

Kathy