"Three weeks after hitting my goal, I was buying chicken and broccoli at the grocery store - the same food I'd eaten for 18 months.
The cashier, a sweet older woman, smiled at me: 'Oh sweetie, I've had 4 children myself. They're such a blessing, aren't they?'
Then she asked: 'When are you due?'
I froze. 'What? I'm not pregnant.'
The color drained from her face. 'Oh my God, I'm so sorry...'
I grabbed my groceries and rushed out. Sat in my car and sobbed so hard I couldn't breathe.
I'd lost 110 pounds. And strangers still thought I was pregnant.
I consulted three personal trainers who all said: 'You just need to build muscle. Do body recomp. Lift weights and eat more calories.'
Eat MORE calories? After two years of restricting? That terrified me.
My nutrition coach told me to 'just accept that some people hold fat in their midsection. It's genetic.' Accept it? I spent 18 months losing 110 pounds to be told to 'accept' looking pregnant?
I started researching tummy tucks. The cost? $13,500. Plus 6-8 weeks recovery. Plus scars. Plus risk of complications. But I was desperate.
I had the consultation scheduled for a Tuesday in March."