Weight Loss question after c section

[sleepysox]

Well, Fatty Lard Ass here would like to ask a disturbing question.

Why haven't I lost weight after my C section?

I gained 2 stone exactly when I was pg. I lost a stone when I weighed myself 5 days after the op.

My son was 10 lbs 1 oz, the placenta is supposed to weigh about a stone, or so I've heard,

So 6 weeks on, why am I still such a fatty?!?

I am still very swollen, so could it be that when the swelling dies down I lose the weight?

I've been drinking dandelion tea which helps with water retention. Since drinking it I've been able to wear some of my shoes that were too small before,and a larger ring I have, but my wedding ring doesn't yet fit.

Hope someone can help/ has been in this position and can offer sypmpathy!!!

[GhoulsAreLoud]

I don't think the placenta weighs a stone...

[GhoulsAreLoud]

The body lays down fat stores when it's pregnant to prepare for breastfeeding, you've probably got about a stone of extras fat.

[Teapot13]

I think the placenta weighs more like a pound.

[mrsflux]

i had a CS back in april.
day 2 we came home and neighbour asked when the baby was coming - i replied he's in the back of the car!

week 6 - still squidgy tummy but out of maternity trousers at least. i still had a fair bit of wibbly bits at this point.
6 months on i get lots of comments from friends about being so slim!
don't be in any hurry - after all you've not been allowed to exercise for 6 weeks since the birth and it took 9 months to get that way!!!
i found BF helped the weight shift so if you're doing that it will help.
are there any mum and baby exercise classes near you? i went for a bit and they were nice and gentle but helped too. (the babies just sat around the room in car seats sleeping!)

i still don't like my squishy tummy but i do think you have to change your expectations of what your body should look like - that part is still a work in progress for me!

[LilRedWG]

I found the following. I hope it helps.

"For instance the average placenta weights at term 1 1/2 lbs., amniotic fluid 2 lbs., Breast enlargement 2 lbs., uterine mass 2 lbs., blood volume 3 lbs., fat deposit 6 lbs., and fluids 4 lbs., Add in a normal sized baby of 7 lbs-8 lbs., and it easy to see that the recommended weight gain of 25-30 lbs. is very appropriate."

[sleepysox]

Mrs Flux- thanks- your post gives me hope.
I am BF so hopefully that'll help.

LilRedWG- that's really useful to know all those weights.
Unfortunately for me, if I add all those weights up with a 10lb baby- it comes to 30 1/2 lbs, so I should have lost 2 lbs during my pregnancy. I gained 2 stone and had a 10 lb baby, so I'm still at a loss as to where the extra stone has come from.

If anyone has any ideas?

[QTPie]

placenta 1 1/2 lbs
amniotic fluid 2 lbs
Breast enlargement 2 lbs
uterine mass 2 lbs
blood volume 3 lbs
fat deposit 6 lbs
and fluids 4 lbs
baby of 10 lbs

Add those up you get 30.5lbs, BUT you only put on 28lbs. that is quite normal - the numbers are only estimates: you might have had a slightly smaller placenta, might have had slightly less fluid or added slightly less breats tissue. Yes you may have "lost" 2lbs of fat (or lean muscle) elsewhere, but you may not have.

At birth you immediately "loss" thew baby, the placenta and the amniotic fluid (so about a stone) - which you did. Over the next month you SHOULD also loose all/most of the uterine mass and SOME of the blood volume and fluids.... but they will take time.

SO it isn't a surprise if, 6 weeks on, you still have:

• enlarged breasts (2lbs)
• most of your fat deposits (6lbs - you may well hang on to most of that until you stop breast feeding...)

So 8lbs PLUS some fluid retention and extra blood volume. From what you have said (re wedding ring) you are still suffering fluid retention - so it will just take time to get it out of your system...

So you aren't fat at all, just "well hydrated"

QT

[QTPie]

Please excuse the spelling in the last post... hopefulyl it still makes sense

[YanknCock]

You're probably just retaining fluid still, and it can weigh a lot!

I gained exactly 2 stone during the pregnancy, most of it near the end (but started out very overweight). Got home two days after delivery and had only lost 5lbs! Very shocked as I thought losing an 8.5lb baby, placenta, and waters it should have been a lot more. I got very lucky and after a few more days it started coming off, so quickly that I was losing 2-4 pounds a day and was back at my starting weight in just two weeks. However, I can't seem to go down from there at all--it's like my body is stuck!

Even after that, I still had fluid retention and sore fingers until DS was about 6 weeks, so I bet you'll lose it soon.

[sleepysox]

Ooh QT- well hydrated- I like it! Better than lardy!!

Yank- your experience gives me hope. Hope your body frees itself soon and pounds drop off once more.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I feel happier now, but impatient as I feel a bit fat and frumpy and need to be a yummier mummy not a scummy mummy

[Meglet]

There is probably some swelling from the cs. I've had 2 cs's and had a hysterectomy in the summer and depsite being thin my tummy took weeks to settle down and for the puffy-ness to go.

[sleepysox]

Thanks Meglet- makes me feel better, thanks :O)

I know you're right Londonlottie, I just feel fat and frumpy- I was overweight before I got pg and had just started Fat Fighters and was beginning to lose it, and now I am lardier than ever.

My dad said to me the week after DS was born that it looked like I was still pg and I guess I've taken it to heart. I need to get my life on track and slim down as I'll feel so much better about myself.

[Minshu]

I hope your dad has apologised - you probably felt bad enough after major abdominal surgery without such thoughtless comments. Don't be so hard on yourself - it's quite an ordeal you've been through

I weighed myself about 5 or 6 days after my CS and couldn't understand why I'd lost only 5lb, in spite of having an 8lb 11oz baby, and losing lots of amniotic fluid, placenta, etc. Apparently, the IV drip rehydrates and takes a while to get out of the system.

I looked about 6 or 7 months pg for the first week, at least, and am now wearing some maternity clothes and some of my baggier pre-pg clothes (options further limited by bf).

It's been nearly 5 weeks now and I seem to have lost most of the weight (I put on well over three stone), but have a horrible overhanging, squidgy belly above my scar which looks like it's going to be there forever Can start abdominal exercises soon (oh joy), but am trying to get out walking with the pram every day in the meantime.

[whomovedmychocolatecookie]

I gained FOUR STONE with DD and only lost one after a month following a caesarian. It all went though when she was 9 months old. Eat less cake and walk every day - it will go

[sleepysox]

Had a really long power walk today- just 1,000 more of those and i'll be sorted! LOL

Thanks for the kind words everyone :O)

[sleepysox]

Minshu, I meant to say, that I've been using a bamboo Belly Bandit to help with my nasty overhanging belly- from boohoobaby.co.uk

It's like a giant bandage that you wrap around your middle and it is helping flatten my tummy a bit- I wear it for about 4- 5 hours evey night and it is slowly working. It isn't as amazing and quick as the reviews say, but it is worth buying imo.

HTH