How do I get rid of my huge tummy apron?

[JBFletcherismyaunt]

After 3 large babies, and 3 c-sections in 4 years, I’m about 4 stone overweight and have a huge tummy overhang that I desperately want rid of. However, I feel like it’s insurmountable right now. I just can’t see how my stomach would ever look even reasonably good ever again. Logically, I know If I lost weight it would look better, (and I need to for health reasons anyway) but I just can’t see past this huge apron of flab! Has anyone been in a similar so and successfully managed to reduce theirs via diet and exercise?

TIA

[Glitterkitten24]

This is me too. I could lose about 3 stone, but am a bit scared that my stomach would look even worse as a result.

Sorry no advice but I hear you.xx

[Tomtontom]

I've lost a lot of weight, and honestly, my tummy looks worse. Unless you're lucky enough to have skin that bounces back, realistically you'd need a tummy tuck to get rid of it. But you'd only consider it once you've lost the weight and kept it off.

Sorry, I appreciate that's not what you wanted to hear. Weight loss is always a good thing, but the doctors never tell you about the skin that's left behind.

[MillicentMartha]

Sorry, I lost 4 stone after my divorce and the stretched skin won’t spring back. Only a tummy tuck will get rid of it.

[PinkGinFreak]

Sorry no advice herw either just a nod to someone in sane situation. 3 babies and 3 c sections here too. Big flabby overhang as a result. Can't see any way of it ever disappearing. I think we're stuck with them. I was never slim but having this obvious bulge has made me very self conscious and I always wear long tops to cover it. Just try forget about it when I go swimming with the kids, can't change it unfortunately. Sorry op I appreciate this is no help whatsoever but you are not alone 😚

[JBFletcherismyaunt]

Thankyou all for your replies. Glad to know I’m not alone I really don’t think I could go down the surgery route, not because I judge anyone who does, just because I’m a bit of a wimp in that regard and obviously would have to lose, and keep off the weight first anyway! How did you lose the weight Tom and Millicent?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I had 3 big babies. 2 sections. I lost 3 stone last year with a combination of low carb diet and calorie counting, plus running. I definitely had/have the tummy apron! Even now I've lost the weight, my section scar is definitely tighter than the rest of my stomach, which creates this artificial sort of apron effect, plus I have a lot of damage to the structure of my skin due to deep stretch marks and just general loss of elasticity. But it looks much much better.

You can improve the look of it - I think because I so strongly despised it, I hid the skin away but it has improved a lot since I've moisturised and taken a bit of care of it. The weight loss really helps, but then with time the skin will gradually shrink back some way. Plus doing core exercises and generally improving my fitness has improved my self esteem no end.

My bikini days are over though....

(I do have pictures before and after if you're interested?)

[FamilyOfAliens]

I had two big babies by Caesarian, one 10:3 and one 10:6. I’ve lost over 3st in the last year but the overhang is still there, albeit very much reduced.

Spanx (or the cheap version from Tu) are your friend!

[CakeUpWall]

I'd be interested to hear if anyone has had surgery, and their opinion of the outcome. I had 3 babies, 1 caesarean, and piled weight on over a number of years. Last year I took myself in hand, and have lost 6 stone over the last 10 months.
The skin is awful, not just on my stomach. I hate my legs and don't think I can go swimming now. It's a real downer for anyone who has put the effort in to get healthy.

Any stories of post-weight loss surgery, positive or otherwise?

[Huggybear16]

@thenewaveragebear1983

I love a before and after photo! Please do share (I haven't had a c-section though, but am halfway through my weight loss)

[MaybeDoctor]

I have gone (mostly) vegetarian and have lost quite a bit of bulk off my stomach. It has definitely flattened out. But my weight hasn’t changed much at all.

[MashedSpud]

I had an apron and hated it so I started calorie counting and using a rowing machine and it took a year of rowing every other day but it went.

[Prettyvase]

I had 5 massive babies and a bulge so bad the surgeon thought I had herniated but the surgery did not improve the bulge and was awful and painful for months. Don't go there.

If you have self will, time, determination and self discipline and a sense of humour instead of a sense of failure if progress is slow I can help you!

This is what worked for me:

Become a vegetarian ( or only have a tiny amount of good quality beef like steak per week).

Look up interesting ( there are many) recipes as vegetables in pretty much all forms are your friends.

If you are hungry for a snack have a carrot, then apple then a lot of pickles or fermented vegetables ( does wonders for your gut biome).

Get miso soup and add vegetables and rice noodles for lunch or dinner.

Eat highly nutritious protein and fats so tinned oily fish is fantastic, as are eggs.

All root vegetables like potatoes, parsnips, carrots make excellent bases for soups and other meals so use them often.

You'll need something sweet per day so go for berries, fruit in all forms and natural yogurt with a little honey or maple syrup and some chocolate, cake or biscuit ( but cut each piece into 4 so you get the craving of taste but only a sample size!)

Then when you roll out of bed do child pose immediately, then a few Pilates exercises ( no more than a few minutes) you can find a good app on your phone.

Try to do plank and side plank every day as you wake up and when you go to bed.

Fasting one meal per day. The object is to reduce the size of your stomach. It definitely works and you should not have more than 1 small handful of food per meal.

If you feel dizzy then whizz up a banana with a free range egg, some ice cubes and a little milk: it will be the best thick shake banana milk shake you have ever tasted.

Take up walking and break into a jog when you can and take as many breathers or rests as you need to. The idea is not to overwhelm but to do things that are pleasant.

Start with a few little changes like this but built up when you can. You will find your confidence and fitness improving.

Keep it up. Add weights ( you can buy them from Aldi) and keep them next to you and do a little over arm work daily.

When you are comfortable with this try going for a swim and only do a few lengths at first. Never try too much as the object is to get you into a weekly habit and not to put you off.

If you feel you have a complely empty stomach for a period per day you are on to the right thing.

Some people do the 5:2 diet which is fasting twice per week and if that works for you, fine. I do it when I feel like it.

So if I am busy all day I make sure I have an egg rich breakfast that can keep me going with an apple or carrot later until a light evening meal.

Or I will have a light brunch and a carrot and apple until a small healthy evening meal.

Try it. My stomach is so much improved. I used to do a trick whereby you tie a string around your waste which reminds you to hold your tummy in.

I don't even need to bother with that anymore.

[Prettyvase]

Waist*

[JBFletcherismyaunt]

Thankyou for those wonderful inspiring stories this morning! I know I need to lose weight regardless. Well done on all your incredible weight losses.

thenewaveragebear, I would love to see some before and after photos if you don’t mind sharing with me . Thankyou

[JBFletcherismyaunt]

X post prettyvase. Thanks for sharing what worked for you. Im going to try eating more of a vegetable based diet. I agree about making sure something is enjoyable so it becomes a habit re the exercise. I used to love exercise but for various reasons (some only excuses) I haven’t done any in years. And now between work and family I struggle to fit it in - but many people I know do manage to! I think I need to get over the mindset that ‘exercise’ has to be done in the gym or a class. There’s so much I could do in my own home, or out with the kids.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Ok- The first is when I was about 13st3, the second is after weightloss, and the third (bottom) is today- probably 6 months after the previous pic, no further weightloss but I think you can see the additional 'tightening up' that's occurred in 6 months?? what you can't see is the little 'seam' underneath where my section scar is- that will always be there!

I love things like Jillian Michaels or other High intensity/circuit training type activity. Really quick and good results.

[JBFletcherismyaunt]

Wow! Amazing results thenewaveragebear!! Thanks so much for sharing - and well done!

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

Awesome averagebear!
I weigh the same as you did at the start. This gives me such inspiration! Thank you

[Petitprince]

This has given me hope! Thanks so much.

[VivaFrida]

Ablemaybel than you for this :) I have now discovered that one can use Alexa for weight loss - awesome.

pepguardi why are weekends such a struggle for you? Is it because of social engagements? Or because oyu associate rewards 'me time' with food?

For me, another hour of exercise before work this morning (64 mins on fake bike - 2 hill climbs programmes, about 20km) - then healthy breakfast and now ready to ZAP some work after catching up with my favourite thread on MN (this one!).

Good vibes and encouragement to all: we totally got this!

[VivaFrida]

OK obviously I must stop having breakfast with vodka - I posted on the wrong thread.... [bish]

[VivaFrida]

And congrats thenewaveragebear1983 that's an amazing difference!!

[Redshoeblueshoe]

Thenewave that's brilliant

[Huggybear16]

@thenewaveragebear1983

Amazing. No way does that tummy look like it's been through 3 big babies and 2 c-sections! I've had one small baby and no c-section and yours looks better than mine!

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Thanks you're all very kind. In real life it's obvious the skin is damaged (beyond repair) but I did gain 4 stone 3 times- I think I've come to terms with the fact I'll never wear a skimpy bikini again! Fake tan goes a long way though, once you've lost some weight, and a low carb diet will shift belly fat really effectively.