Will my c section pooch ever go?

[littledinonaurs]

Had dc2 via c section 5 months ago (1st section) and I've almost lost all the weight I gained, shy of half a stone but I've still got this horrific overhang/shelf where the incision is. I'm slim and fairly toned but it's not showing any signs of going!

I went shopping yesterday excited to try on new non maternity clothes and ended up coming back feeling like shit because all I can see is the weird dent/speed bump on my stomach.

Does it ever go away?

As grateful as I am for my 2 sections because I have my beautiful, healthy children as a result, I love my droopy overhang much less!!! I've worked very hard on not just losing weight but toning up. As I've lost weight and gained muscle its got smaller but is still very noticeable and I hate trying to dress around it. So, I'm having a tummy tuck in the next few months. Can't wait!

I hate my body post c section. My looks were important to me but now I’ve let myself go and stopped wearing makeup and doing my hair. What’s the point of trying, I won’t look nice anyway because I have this awful saggy tummy. I literally have no pride or self esteem any more.

For those that have had or are having a tummy tuck. How did you come to choose your surgeon? How much is it costing? How long will you take off work? I’ve had 3 sections and seriously considering it in the near future.

2 csections and no overhang. There’s a very slight dent in my abdomen but nothing that you’d notice in clothes or even swimwear. So it's not inevitable.

Not completely no. After my second section I lost all my baby weight and more and really got in shape and toned up. The overhang shrunk massively but it was still there, but only noticeable when naked, couldn't tell in clothes. Working on your abdominals helps. Lots of leg raises and planks!

Am now 3 months pp 3rd section and have to start all over again!

@Stuckandsad how long after did you start doing your exercises?

ThisMustBeMyDream your overhang is so big you can't wear jean???? How big is this overhang that you can see it under denim?

Solly I found that if I wanted to wear proper jeans I had to go a bigger size to fit around the area from belly button down, but the bigger size was too big around my hips and bum so just looked awful. I'm resolved now to wearing stretchy jeggings or dresses too. Perhaps that's what the PP meant.

Ginger... try Dorothy Perkins Frankie Jeans. High waisted so perfect for c section tum and so comfortable. I have about 6 pairs in different colours! Although none of them fit me again yet!

My first CS incision is really low so it’s not obvious in a bikini. My second is much higher up and has made my stomach disgusting. It was the death of short, tight tops and bikinis for me and I hate it. BUT I’ve got two amazing children and friends who have nearly died in their CS so I consider myself extremely lucky. Don’t sweat it, it’s part of you now.

28 yrs and no still there and numb around the scar, that has not returned.

13 and 10 years ago for me, and I only have a v slight overhang, lucky I guess. I still have numb skin though

Yeah man I've got the overhang even though I'm slim. It's like a speed bump, as you say!

I have recently bought some spanx underwear which was a total game changer to be honest - I wore a very fitted dress for my Xmas party and it totally flattened the bump on my belly out.

I've had 2 sections, incision in the same place. The actual scar is not bad, but the overhang is definitely there. It makes me look fat too, even though I'm not. I've learnt how to disguise it though, thicker jeans, pencil skirts and my fab new spanx knickers!

I've had two vaginal births and used to be worried if I ever had a c section about the overhang, but honestly now it wouldn't bother me it's what's on the inside that counts, I know this doesn't answer your question at all. But we only get one go round this world that's it a little pouch is nothing compared to living life to the fullest, it honestly wouldn't bother me having one now. I still have like a pregnancy bump that seems to of never gone back down or even in it used to really upset me, now I just cba with it. I'm a nice enough person what's a belly to anyone

16 years on and no. I've seen scars that are just a faint white line and guessed that the nurse on the day must have been more careful or less rushed with that person. I think the emphasis (quite rightly) is on closing the large wound and not on the cosmetic appearance after. I still have a patch of numbness too. I did have 2 CS so I don't know if that made it worse. But yes, a definite overhang that increases and decreases with weigh gain/loss but is always there.

My Mum has one from the c-section she had giving birth to me. I’m 33 now

Mine never did.

Have not worn a bikini since 1998 But all worth it for my lovely DD.

I think a lot of it in the 1st few months is swelling OP so don't be discouraged! I'm 3 months in and definitely have a large ridge above the scar (seems fatty but is actually quite firm underneath iyswim). I've been told that eventually the swelling will settle down and then it's just a case of how saggy your tummy skin ends up - you could end up with a saggy tummy regardless of c section or not it depends on skin elasticity I think.

If it gives you hope my sister has had 2 sections and has the flattest tummy I've ever seen, she swears she had the pouch for a good 6 months then it went away gradually as she lost the weight and got back to normal so it does happen (I suspect people like this don't tend to comment on forums about it either in case they sound smug or perhaps because they just don't ever think about it?).

Either way it helps me to think that so many women have this (think how many c section births there are) and its clearly not that visible under clothes or you'd notice it all the time

sparkling123 about 4 months and the the first week was hard, think it's your stomach muscles reknitting. If I put weight on it does start to reappear slightly so something I have to watch.

I have the overhang and didn’t have a section.