Has anyone successfully beaten the post c section belly flop?

[puds11]

I’m wondering how realistic it is to be able to get rid of the belly overhang from my c section and what the best exercise is to do this.

I was about 1.5 stone overweight before I had baby, I have now lost 2.5 stone, have about 0.5 to go, but overhang doesn’t seem to be tightening up yet. I’m 5 months post section.

Any advice or words of wisdom?

[HalfManHalfLabrador]

I’ve never heard of anybody get rid of it without surgery regardless of weight. Sorry!

[puds11]

That was my fear. I guess I carry on and see where I can get to then decide if I can live with it.

[Mumma1984]

@puds11 I don't know lots about this but I have heard massage can help to break up the scar tissue? Perhaps worth a google/try? Xx

[puds11]

@Mumma1984 thank you. I’ve been trying this so will continue and see how it goes.

[Babyg1995]

I've had mine for 10 years it looks like I have a normal flat stomach under clothes if I keep my weight down to 10 stone or a bit less I'm pregnant again and it will probably be worse after this baby but I think I've accepted it now. But if I had the money I would definitely get surgery to remove it my tummy just doesn't match the rest of my body .

[Bogrod]

Exercise won’t help as it’s just skin. In fact the more weight you lose the more spare skin there is to hang down.

Tummy tuck is the answer.

[WatchingFromTheWings]

I'm 8 years on from my c section and the skin is still there. The more weight I lose and the more toned I get from workouts the more it hangs. Having a tummy tuck next year!

[Obligatorync]

God no. Mine is there forever.

[puds11]

Ah so fairly conclusive then. Bummer. Thanks for sharing. Feels a bit unfair sometimes but hey, that’s life. Not sure if tummy tuck will be an option for me as I scar terribly (red, raised, angry looking). I guess I loose the weight for health reasons and see what mess I’m left with.

[XmasRibbons]

I don't have anything that hangs down, but was a size 8 when I got pregnant and didn't gain much, it is slightly more raised where my scar is but nothing hangs it's more like a slight muffin top. Bit more anxious this time round as I'm bigger.

[3drawercinemaclub]

Yes. Although I have a weird dent in the middle where the stitches burst open when I reached over to pick DD up a few hours after the surgery.

No surgery but I genuinely do just think it’s the luck of the draw. I was slim before the pregnancy and breastfed like a mad thing to lose all my weight afterwards. I’m not sure there is a secret method to get rid of it sorry!

[3drawercinemaclub]

(Hand is covering tattoo!)

[SirVixofVixHall]

I have one and hate it. I am terrified of surgery so no tummy tuck, i just have to live with it. It shows through clingy clothes, and i am very self conscious about it. I am a size ten, down from a generous 12 earlier this year, as I have cut down on sugar etc. Shelf still there, looks no better even though I am slimmer overall. I still have more weight to lose, but I don’t think it is going to do much to improve the shelf, which just out over my scar. ( two c sections, last one 12 years ago).
I remember reading about some non surgical treatment but can’t remember what it was !

[SirVixofVixHall]

“Juts out”, not just out.

[IdblowJonSnow]

No. But am reasonably slim, dont have a flat stomach though. Mid 40s, not really bothered. Just wont ever wear a bikini again but I dont mind that.
Look into a tummy tuck in a year or so if you're very bothered and can afford it?

[AnneLovesGilbert]

Mine has changed loads the last few months and DD is 9 months now, no particular exercises or weight loss but it’s just kept going down by itself. The pouch bit has gone completely and no loose skin but if I bend over there’s a curve above the scar (hip to hip) that’s not going to go. You can’t tell at all in clothes and naked it’s not as flat as before I had her but not overhanging or paunchy. I’m a bit lighter than before I got pregnant from feeding and walking a lot.

[Her0utdoors]

I didn't have one after I lost the pregnancy weight after my first (age 37, gained about 4 stone).
I 100% do after having my second (now 42, still 4 stone over weight compared to conception). It huge a wobbly!
But, I have done quite a lot of scar massage on it this time round and it has released the tucking in of the scar massively, and relieved some of the discomfort and pain too.

[smemorata]

I don't have a flap as such but a rounder stomach overall. So mine did go when I lost the pregnancy weight. I'm not losing anymore as I don't want it to come back if it's not "supported" underneath!!

[eurochick]

I asked my consultant about the flap. He said it was down to the skill of the surgeon and how they stitch you back up. I don't have one but it's pretty common.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

See how it changes over the next 6 months OP, it might be a lot just by itself as things continue to settle down.

People must think I have shares as I bang on about them all the time but I found using silicon strips on my scar helped the sensation and appearance a lot. You put them on for longer each day and my scar, which started out really red, angry, bumpy, no sensation above and sore below has faded beautifully, softened, much flatter/smoother and all sensations now completely normal. I still can’t bring myself to properly massage it but I know that helps and I’ll get on board with it eventually. The lack of numbness and soreness has made a huge difference to how I feel about it being there.

[Rainbowhairdontcare]

I did it took me 9 months of running and daily ab workouts

[Casander]

@3drawercinemaclub I don't know if I hate you or I want to be you

I have had 3 sections and although I don't have overhang I do have crinkly skin and my belly button is a bit weird. I had a large lower stomach tattoo done though and that hides the crinkly skin quite well I can't afford a tummy tuck

[Isthisridix]

I don’t have it, but my weight is very low, just within healthy BMI, which I know isn’t great, but I think is the key to beating the overhang.

[MadameF]

I'm 54, had 2 CS and have a flat tummy. I didn't put on much weight with either pregnancy and am now very fit (I'm a runner), low end BMI and can wear a bikini without feeling embarrassed. Don't lose hope OP

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I've had 2 c-sections, 3 babies and I have a flat (ish) stomach if my waist band is up to my midriff like the photo above. I have a very tight scar line though which does give me the little overhang. Since losing weight I have very little actual fat on my stomach but a lot of loose skin which I hate. After Christmas I am beginning a course of collagen lift treatments which will hopefully tighten the skin up a bit. I've seen other people's independent results and the effect seems good for the money, but I have to admit I'm a bit sceptical, but I would never be able to afford surgery.

I've been quoted £500 for a course of collagen, dermabrasion and endomology, which (apparently) will last up to 2 years. I've worked so hard to lose the weight and to keep it off but the little tummy overhang just will not go!