I know this is a brave move on my part but here goes.... The first pic is of me last spring in Brazil (far left) (234 lbs). I was there visiting for a wedding and this pic was taken by my brazilian family and I didnt know it would eventually end up on Facebook! I was so embarrassed by it. I got tagged in it and it went all over my page and everyone saw it before I could get it taken down. Anyways.....The second and third pics are of me at the beach last week (147 lbs). I have a funny tan line on my belly that we all thought was hilarious. I do think there is quite a bit of difference that nearly 90 pounds makes! I am no supermodel but I thought I looked decent in a bikini, my first one in 22 years! I wore five different ones, one for every day at the beach! I was only a little bit self conscious in them. A huge leap for me!

As you may have noticed' date=' my legs aren't really in the pics too much. I have problem loose skin on my belly, especially below the bikini line and my inner thighs. They sag pretty bad. I didn't allow them to be in the pictures. I figured it wouldn't make a difference if I wore a one piece or two because my legs are my issue for the most part and no bathing suit covers them so what the hell. I am looking into a belt lipectomy (lower body lift) this fall. It will cure a lot of my problem areas. I think I am a little flabby in the tummy but not as bad as it could have been. I walk three days a week and sometimes jog a little. I did a lot of zumba for a few months too. I really need to get back to doing more exercise to get these last few pounds off. Walking was my main exercise though. I have not worked out with weights, although I should. I do have a lot of flab on my arms but you can only tell it when they are parallel to the ground. Teehee. I am embarrassed to admit my lack of gym activity or working out. I just did the best I could and I enjoyed walking in the spring here in south Texas. Now, not so much. I will pick up the pace this week though because I am determined to be in the 130's![/quote']

I THINK YOU LOOK GREAT!!!!! Our weight is similiar m I hope I can get to 147 . I'm waiting on insurance approval with BCBS. I have given my surgeon's nurse everything. They denied me initially due to needed more med history of weights. So, we resubmitted and are waiting . But, congrats n don't be ashamed, u look great.

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You look great!!

Pilates may help with your legs and lower body in general. Once you start weight training, everything should tighten up for you..

Keep up the good work!

You look great!! We started out the same weight, and I hope I have results like you did! Congratulations, you should be proud to rock that bikini!

WOW! I think you look amazing--and whatever loose skin you have sure doesn't show. Congratulations!!!!

You look INCREDIBLE! I don't think many people would believe it's the same person in the pictures. You are totally my hero! Where in Brazil are you?

I saw somewhere, probably on the web or news a procedure they're starting to do for WLS patients that replaces the usual tummy tuck or the around the torso skin removal. They're working from the bellybutton and bringing/stretching everything into the bellybutton so there's much less cutting and scaring. I'm almost 41 and have a belly/upper hip area full of stretch marks from being pregnant and 250+lbs and the idea of eliminating some of that broken skin is starting to sound pretty appealing. Of course, the fact that I'm lusting after my son's swim teacher, who I'm probably old enough to have birthed, might be messing with my vanity and I should probably get my head out of the gutter... my thighs also look so much better when I pinch up about an inch of extra "chunk"... =)

You look so great and are major inspiration!

You look INCREDIBLE! I don't think many people would believe it's the same person in the pictures. You are totally my hero! Where in Brazil are you?

I saw somewhere, probably on the web or news a procedure they're starting to do for WLS patients that replaces the usual tummy tuck or the around the torso skin removal. They're working from the bellybutton and bringing/stretching everything into the bellybutton so there's much less cutting and scaring. I'm almost 41 and have a belly/upper hip area full of stretch marks from being pregnant and 250+lbs and the idea of eliminating some of that broken skin is starting to sound pretty appealing. Of course, the fact that I'm lusting after my son's swim teacher, who probably old enough to have birthed, might be messing with my vanity and I should probably get my head out of the gutter... my thighs also look so much better when I pinch up about an inch of extra "chunk"... =)

You look so great and are major inspiration!

Too flipping funny! I love it!!

You look great! One of my goals is to be able to wear a bikini and look good in it.

Shut the front door! I so hope I look like you when I am down the road! Great job!

@ Hadouni--- I am in Marisias. Its an elite beach town where my exchange student got married. Its between Rio and Sao Paulo along the shore. She is standing next to me in the picture and then her brother and his girlfriend. If only I had her abs! lol. I think this belt lipectomy is going to make my tummy look more like hers, at least I hope so! It includes a tummy tuck but it goes all the way around and pulls my butt back up into place and my hips too. I really need this done and I am excited but scared at the same time! The recovery is hard I think. You are cut 360 degrees around.

Anyway, thanks for all the compliments! I really appreciate them. I feel better in my body than I did before, for sure!

I know this is a brave move on my part but here goes.... The first pic is of me last spring in Brazil (far left) (234 lbs). I was there visiting for a wedding and this pic was taken by my brazilian family and I didnt know it would eventually end up on Facebook! I was so embarrassed by it. I got tagged in it and it went all over my page and everyone saw it before I could get it taken down. Anyways.....The second and third pics are of me at the beach last week (147 lbs). I have a funny tan line on my belly that we all thought was hilarious. I do think there is quite a bit of difference that nearly 90 pounds makes! I am no supermodel but I thought I looked decent in a bikini' date=' my first one in 22 years! I wore five different ones, one for every day at the beach! I was only a little bit self conscious in them. A huge leap for me![/quote']

You look amazing. Love the positive attitude.

You look fantastic!

I'd call that brave if you looked like me (visual: a sock full of quarters)

When you look like you were never fat, it's not bravery, it's well-placed confidence. Go you.

YAY YOU!!!!!!! What fun! I am SO happy for you! Congratulations!!!!!!!

You are my hero! Way to go! You look amazing!!

Yay for you - you look great!! I bet you feel great!!