Last summer I was able to wear 2 piece, but with a coverup. I was still conscious of my tummy and thighs. But after recovering from plastics and working HARD in the gym 5-6 days a week, I can officially say that I will be hitting the beach this spring without a coverup. When I put on my 2 piece and saw my pic, I think I cried and cried for a good 10 minutes. Cried for my experience as an obese person, cried for the struggles of life post-op, cried because I WORKED HARD for this dang it, and I have finally arrived. People...I have FINALLY arrived!

Sorry for the crappy picture! My husband "cleaned it" with something that was not Windex...and I have yet to purchase a full length mirror! Isn't crazy how our past obesity still rules us even after we've shed the weight. Ugh! I am going to go and buy a full length mirror today!

That's so awesome!! Way to go!

You look amazing!

I won't ever be seen in a 2-piece, as my tummy is where all my loose skin is, and I won't be able to afford plastics. I'm also ridiculously short-waisted and probably would look silly in a bikini even with a flat stomach. I'm just hoping to get my upper thighs toned up to a point where I feel comfortable wearing a suit without a skirt to it.

Great job! You look awesome!!

This is so great! So inspiring to me. I'm just in the pre-op diet phase, and I keep looking for pictures to make me stay on track and focused.

You have done an amazing job.

Thank you for sharing.

I too, will look forward to a bikini pic someday.

Now I just need to WORK~~~

So...

Ummmmmm...

Yeah...

What can I say?

Good job...

Yeah...

That's it...

Good job...

Wow...

@KindaFamiliar...Lol!

It's taken me three years to get here. First year pre and post-op was straight cardio. Starting lifting almost 2 years ago, 2-3 days a week with cardio. Now, I lift 5 days a week, focusing on one body part at a time, 1.5 hour sessions. Cardio has been reduced to 1-2 times a week. I eat "clean" any where from 85%-90% of the time. I do eat the occasional chip or candy, but it is minimal and a treat about once a week. Hard work, but worth it to me. It's taken time, but it has become habit and routine.

You've done an amazing job, keep it up!!!

Yeah, well...

Keep it up!!

And yes, I did go and have another look at the first post...

Ok two looks...

The first look was fine...

The second was a little creepy...

But fear not...

I've now told myself off and will not do it again...

To you...

In this thread...

Today...

Yeah...

Out...

Wow! Beautiful. How did you pick your plastic surgeon?

@@barbarahadz1, thank you for the compliment! I found Peter Fisher via realself.com and out of the 3 surgeons I interviewed, he was the one that just won me over. A combination of his online reviews via realself, pictures of his work, his knowledge and patience to take his time with me and explain EVERYTHING, and his willingness to answer ALL my questions just made him stand out. Not to mention that he specialized in post massive weight loss surgery (our loose skin is not equal to a mommy getting a mommy makeover who has never experienced obesity). Hope this helps.

_{It does help, thank you.}

You look amazing!

Congrats! That is awesome! I totally remember the first time I was able to buy and confidently wear a bikini (last summer)!! It was a huge deal! Now we are preparing to go to Mexico in a couple months and I literally am out of control buying bikinis! I think I have bought 5 for a 7 day trip! lol. Be careful...it's addictive! :-)

How did I miss this thread???

DAMN GIRL. You look absolutely incredible! You are truly and inspiration!

Go girl go!!!! You look terrific. I love seeing just what us sleevers can achieve and I love the NSVs that happen along our journeys. I threw a new pair of jeans out today-not because they were too tight but because they were the most uncomfortable things that I've covered my arse with for ages. They were cheap and that is what I have been used to buying for the last few years. No longer my friends. I shall be buying better quality clothes for my better quality body and enjoying the feel of them. I WON'T be buying a bikini (too ancient darlings) but I have foolishly promised a friend that I will start going to ballet classes again with her (I trained at the Royal Ballet School and danced for many years when in my prime) and I am determined that I shall wear a leotard again. Bit more poundage to come off before I sally forth to the barre but will post a pic when I do. Isn't life wonderful with a sleeve. Yay!!!!!!!!! I am a very happy bunny.

@@jintycb

You think your promise was foolish??

I made a deal with a friend of mine that if she came on a cruise in November (group thing), I'd Celebrate my weight loss by posing for pics on the top deck of the ship, wearing nothing but a flouro green mankini!!!

Oh yeah...

Who's the foolish one now????