My first pregnancy began when i was 19 and hardly married a year. I was young and had a rough childhood and as a teen had suffered from a mix of anorexia and bulimia. I was still battling it when i found out i was pregnant. So instead of just eating healthy for one person, I ate lots and lots more than i should have. I was finally relieved and happy that i could eat without guilt or so i thought. I became depressed and slept and ate all day. As a result i gained 75 lbs. I am embarrassed to say that i had no idea what my stomach and my body would look like after pregnancy. I was shocked and cried for a long time. I could not even look at myself in the mirror. I eventually lost some of the weight and became pregnant again and with that one I gained 65 lbs. My children are now 6 and 3 and I am happy to say that I have lost about 100 lbs by dieting and exercise but the skin and stretch marks remain (as you can see). I admire the people who wear them with pride but i cant seem to do that myself. I hope to one day have a tummy tuck to at least get rid of the skin. This is the first time I have ever shown anyone except my husband my whole stomach and it is kind of relieving to share it.
My stomach was a lot like yours, although I have had the tuck. My story is also very similar with regards to depression, eating issues & weight gain. I think you look wonderful, although I know if you’re unhappy in yourself enough to want surgery then no amount of other people giving you compliments will convinve you otherwise. But be aware it comes with scarring & the results (like mine) are not always perfect.
You do look wonderful! I agree with SadieAnne. Thanks for sharing.
You look beautiful! my tummy looks just like yours! Thanks for sharing
My tummy looks like that too. Thanks for sharing :)
Everything about your post reminds me of myself only I’m not brave enough to post a pic. Well done you! XO
Until reading this I never realized that I was actually depressed when I was pregnant with my first child. I was lonely and sad the whole time and I am just now realizing it. Thanks for sharing it.
You look wonderful! I have struggles with body image issues my entire life and after only one child and 45 lb weight gain, I have a huge apron of skin hanging over my c-section scar. When I lose weight I just get discouraged because it looks like a deflated balloon. I would also like a tummy tuck in the near future…it makes me feel superficial…so I totally understand what you’re going through. Just rejoice in the body you have now…and congrats on the 100 lb weight loss!!!
You stole my picture! haha :) seriously, you and I have the same belly
cant thank you enough for being brave enough to show these pictures. My stomach is just like yours and sometimes i feel like a freak as i dont see other people looking like this – til now! How reasurring for real women!! xxx
You look sexy!!
Sweetheart, it may be strange but true…you, me, and many other women out there have a lot in common. Ani Difranco sang in one of her songs “i got highways for stretch marks to see where i’ve grown” The stretch marks and the excess skin may be some thing you want to get rid of at the moment, but I have lost 108 pounds, also after 2 kids. I know how you feel. I am 25, and I am slowly noticing with the right work out and diet I am starting to see the stretch marks fade and the extra skin is slowly starting to tighten. I hope you are not letting your body get you down. You are beautiful and remember that you brought two beautiful children into this world through your body…it still recovering from it’s “highway construction”
You are beautiful, I myself also suffered from anorexia and bulima as a teen. I just had my 3rd child at 39. I have 2 others 16 and 12 -at 39 i ate what i wanted and was happy for once. He was 10 lbs and seperated my abs so no matter what i do i have a belly – something i never had. I am trying to deal with that and it is very very hard. But, I had a beautiful boy! My husband loves me the way I am, but, again it is hard. I completely understand
I wanted to tell you you look great. Honestly Im 23 I have one child and my stomach is far worse :( If I could look like that. I would be sooo happy. I am having a tummy tuck on april 9th , and im very scared . I wouldnt have it but like you i lost nearly 100 lbs and my skin hangs down soooo far . and its so grose. I would go see a surgeon if I were you becuase you may be able to have it solved with other methods other than a tummy tuck. they are really resorseful. however. I would say you look amazing as you are. And cute belly button peircing :( I have skin that flops over my belly :(
My wife is 57 and has a tummy worse than yours. About 21 years ago she went full term with my twins (girls 7.5 and 8.5 pounds, total 16 pounds). She never got back to her pre-natal shape. Frankly, she gave me beautiful daughters and her tummy was sacrificed for me and for them. She does not feel that way and is embarassed by her tummy but I think she is beautiful, it is a mark of what she has gone through. As for you, I think you are beautiful, as well and I think your husband should consider himself extremely lucky (unless his is a complete jerk).
i had two children, i watched what i ate and my belly looked just like yours does. but thats the price us women have to pay for having children but its well worth it!my husband didnt mind at all cause any person that really loves you will love you for who you are. i just had a tummy tuck and am happy as ever!(even though i still have the strech marks), i did it for myself so who cares what anyone else thinks:)!
wow my tummy is the same just a little bigger im pregnant with my first wow my tummy is the same just a little bigger im pregnant with my first <3 and going threw the same things you went threw you look wonderfull ! i know how you feel my husband is the only one to see my full tummy everywhere else it is fully coverd lol ! thank you for sharing actually had a bad day with some idiots making fun of my weight and this made me feel better to know im not alone seeing your post and other's comments ! thank you
take care and may you find the knowledge that of what you seek and be eternally blessed