Skin Frustrations

I got my BFP on Nov 12th and I was about 214lbs then. I have since lost about 17lbs since then and reached my goal to be below 200 before the end of the year and then a couple pounds ore. 12 weeks came and along and my m/s completely disappeared. Completely normal I know (my 8th baby, LOL) and thankfully my weight has stabilized between 197-199 for the last 3 weeks. I am happy about that I really am! I am even more grateful to be pregnant since my last baby ended in a miscarriage and I have entered the 2nd trimester with a healthy and alive baby!

Still, I was deep into weight loss mode when I got pregnant. I was and still am quite motivated to reach my goal of 150. I'm still struggling with trying to set losing weight aside and focus on eating what I am supposed for baby.

However, I still find myself wondering how much I'd weigh right now if I was no longer pregnant. I wonder how much fluid, boob mass, baby and placenta make up of my weight. I hope I am not alone in this. I feel bad thinking this but I can help it. I just kind of wish I could remove bay for a few minutes (along with fluid and stuff) and then weigh myself, just to see, and then put everything back. I know stupid and weird wish. But I am a tad curious. I mean I expected to be closer to 180ish by now.  My 1 yr surgiversary would be 3 months away from now and my 150 goal wouldbe within my grasp.

{{{sigh}}} I will live and I have 5 months after baby is born to try and reach my weight loss goal, so I am not worried, LOL

Ok now for my "skin" issue. (another complaint really).

Since losing that extra 17lbs, while pregnant, I haven't gained a "Baby Belly" like I thought I would being 130#'s smaller. I did lose a jean size though! But I have so much excess skin it completely HIDES any baby bump. It cushions my baby bump too so I don't need to wear maternity clothes.

This is what I mean. In this picture all you see is my extra skin and flabbiness. :( I really hate it and can't wait for the day I can get a tummy tuck, which won't be for a good 5 years or more. :(



This is my hidden "baby belly" exposed. I pulled up and gathered my excess skin so you can actually see the baby bump. I really HATE that it's hidden by all of that yucky skin. It's depressing.



I would never post this anywhere else but here, because I hope and believe most of you would understand. It's just frustrating to be pregnant after 130lbs lost and still feel and look like a huge fat whale. I mean you can't even see my baby belly because of all that skin and fat. :wah: {{{sigh}}}

Did you steal my camera? lol I have the EXACT same belly issue! I 'Fake" my bump (it's there just hiding) with maternity pants, it smoothes out the "B" that I really have and makes it look like a "D" I'll try and remember to take a pic tonight and post it to show you aren't alone.

I am almost 3 years out from my RNY and still loosing, not quickly, but still loosing. I started out at 327 pounds, got down to about 210 in the first 18 months. Had my gallbladder out and hit 198 where I stayed until I got pregnant this time. As of last monday I was 195 (I had lost down to 183). The weight will come off after the baby. Your tool is still there - you'll just have to get "back to basics" but with 8 kids - God Bless you!

LOL That would be great. ;) At least I am not alone in this weird shape thing. It's what I truly hate about my body. When I was trying on cute tops at Old Navy the other day I got discouraged because my top half is between a Med and a Large but because of my "B" shape my lower half is bigger and is more accustomed to an XL or even XXL. I wasn't a pear shape until I lost this weight and kept everything stuffed in my belly/hip folds. {{{sigh}}} LOL

I don't fully mind not being in maternity clothes yet, since we are a large unemployed family right now. So any extra money I can hold onto and not spend on maternity clothes is nice. Salvation Army and Goodwill are my friends right now. ;)

I used to be able to "fake" my bumps when I was fatter so I am well versed in the front panels and maternity shirts. They really do the trick in making me look pregnant.

Thanks again. {{HUGS}}

The baby and all that goes with it plus the fluid you retain weighs more than you think. Even resources online that tell you how to estimate it have low estimates in my opinion. I though I was going to have a lot to lose because I "gained" over 20 lbs, but 4 days after the baby was born I was only 4 lbs above my pre pregnancy weight.
The main thing to remember is to just not stress about it; you'll be able to get back to losing after the baby, especially if you breastfeed!

Most of us do have that B shape issue, get a Be band or belly band and get maternity pants that have the full panel, they'll help smooth things out. Then go out and buy empire waited tops that would have made you LOOK pregnant when you weren't!

Thanks. I guess I am not overly worried about losing the baby weight. I know with my other pregnancies I would usually only gain 10-15lbs above my pre-pregnancy weight, usually having lost a lot in the first trimester, like I did this time too, and by the time I gave birth I was usually below my pre-pregnancy weight.

Still difficult to get out of weight loss mode though. LOL It was a surprise pregnancy and I was focused on ME for ONCE in my life as it's been difficult to shelf that focus, especially when you continue to lose for the first 3 months, LOL

Now I am at that point where the pregnancy weight is creeping on. Thankfully slowly, but it is slightly disheartening to have reached a goal you haven't seen in decades only for it to disappear ont he scales, even if for a good cause, LOL

I guess I can't wait to finish up this pregnancy so I can have both a beautiful healthy baby and to get back to battling the scale to reach my final goal. And yes I plan to breastfeed so I am hoping it will help, since in the past BFing usually helped me put on weight not take it off. I am hoping with my tool though it won't be the case this time around.

As for the front panel maternity jeans, those are so hard to find now a days. They are my favorite because they really do smooth those lumps out and make one look truly pregnant. I have been shopping for A-line maternity shirts too. I'm trying to buy things that are A-line and not maternity that might work for after pregnancy, since this will be my last baby and I don't want to spend any extra money on clothes I won't need after the middle of the year, LOL

I guess I'll just have to live with the fact that I will never have a cute smooth baby belly like the tight skinned people in the world. {{{sigh}}}

*Although I got to say it took me a few thinking moments to figure out your references to "B" and "D" shapes, LOL Now I get it though. ;)

the Secret Fit Belly (I think that is what they are called) at Motherhood have a nice full panel made of microfiber, I found that they worked really well.

 

I tried those on when I went window shoping the other day there They weren't too bad either. Thanks! :)

Hey....that could be a picture of my belly....except my pannus is actually much worse! (I've also lost 130# and am at 176 right now)

Unfortunately I have accepted that plastic surgery will be the only way to fix it and I'm praying at some point in this pregnancy I will have some sort of cute baby bump and not this weird saggy B thing I have going on!

-Jennifer

You will have a baby belly at some point. There is no escaping it, LOL Here is a "belly pic" of when I was pregnant with my 6th child and I was still over a month away from giving birth. (ugh it's a horrible picture too. I hate it when people take pics when you aren't looking.)



I too have accepted the fact that I will need reconstructive surgery to get rid of this apron of skin. It's something I'll have to save up for, I know. But it'll be worth it I think.

That is totally my stomach too! I wear huge panties that I can pull up over my belly button and then wear the maternity pants from motherhood with the fully belly panel and it makes a nice shaped belly that way.