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Original poster

C section overhang: anyone completely got rid of it?

41 replies

TheWaif · 28/02/2021 18:19

I've got down to a size 10, my BMI is 20. My stomach is fairly flat in general, but I still have the overhang.

I've been doing a '30 day abs' program, and although I can't see any abs my stomach has improved.

Has anyone ever completely got rid of their overhang? Is it actually possible?

I feel like I could be a size 6 (not what I actually want!) and still have the overhang.

OP posts:
Random63638 · 28/02/2021 18:25

I didn't know it was a thing and I had a CS so maybe it's more to do with how/where it was done? I don't mean to dishearten you sorry, just perhaps you can't do much about it? Really sorry, I'll just shut up now!

Original poster
TheWaif · 28/02/2021 18:27

Well if you've never had it you couldn't comment on getting rid of it, so not sure how it would dishearten me! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
TheWaif · 28/02/2021 18:28

It's a very common/well known phenomena :)

OP posts:

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Exercise & fitness
User5768 · 28/02/2021 18:30

No, I am a regular gym goer and still couldn’t get rid

whenwillthemadnessend · 28/02/2021 18:30

I think a Tummy tuck is the only option or very big pants.

Ikeameatballs · 28/02/2021 18:30

I’ve had 2 sections and never had an overhang so it is possible to not have one. I suspect it depends on a few factors, how stretched your abdomen was at the point of surgery, where you carry weight naturally, what your abs are like, how the scar was created and how well you healed

bonzo77 · 28/02/2021 18:31

I think possibly not. Size 8-10 and always was. Normal weight gain in pregnancies (between 14-20lb). Small, early babies with reduced fluids so only a really small bump. Yet I have an overhang. Interestingly it looked no different or worse after my 2nd and 3rd sections than after my first. I think that the rush of my first (emergency) one probably did the damage.

Original poster
TheWaif · 28/02/2021 18:33

I know it's possible not to get one, but that isn't really what I'm asking about. I'm asking women who did get it if they've managed to lose it :)

OP posts:
3babylady · 28/02/2021 18:33

Not yet! I was a size 6-8 and had my first section 2013 was around size 10 I was so stretched by my 9pound10 baby, I was left with an overhang. After my second section in 2016 it took 2 years but I was back to size 6-8 & over hang was definitely smaller but not gone, I'm now pregnant with my 3rd and last baby and am completely sure it will never entirely go unless I had it removed but I will try using same method as last time which did help, yoga and crunches, sit ups on a sit up bench as the angle really pulls those muscle together, lots of core work & cardio.

LampsOn · 28/02/2021 18:35

I had 2 sections. I didn't have an overhang with my 1st dd (she was very small). But now I've had my second, who was enormous, it's rather prominent. I have no idea if it's because I've had 2 or a large second baby, but I'm really struggling to get rid of it. Watching this thread with interest.

Original poster
TheWaif · 28/02/2021 18:37

Yeah, I was a size 8 when I was pregnant and it was an emergency section. My scar is kind of lopsided and the overhang is only on one end :/

OP posts:
Mummysgonetobed · 28/02/2021 18:38

I’ve managed to get down to a size 8 (from a 16!) after 3 sections and it’s still there. My mum is the same after 2 sections.
I’m contemplating surgery!
Sorry op not what you want to hear I know.

Original poster
TheWaif · 28/02/2021 18:42

Thanks everyone

It didn't really bother me when I was married, but now I've been single a while..

OP posts:
fretnot · 28/02/2021 18:44

Has anyone tried massaging? I have an overhang from DC3 (second section) and it has got a lot better with time, now eight months on. I’m a size eight and went up a couple of stone in all my pregnancies. I’ve been massaging a lot with rosehip oil on the scar: picking it up and twisting it between finger and thumb; stretching it out. It hasn’t gone yet but I’m hopeful!

HazelBite · 28/02/2021 18:44

I think a lot depends on how big your baby was and where you were cut in relation to your bump.
I had twins 30 odd years ago by CS, combined weights 16lbs, never has my belly/abdomen recovered despite stringent efforts on my part.
(Mine was so bad it was twenty years before I would put on a swimsuit as it was so visible)

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 28/02/2021 18:51

Mine finally went away when I was exercising 5 times a week and doing yoga weekly, I dropped to 55kg, (looked fine I'm short) but it came back over lockdown along with an extra 10kg.
I think it's here to stay.

DownWhichOfLate · 28/02/2021 18:55

You need a second, planned c section! My first c section was an emergency and I had the wonky scar with overhang. Second time planned - all neat and tidy with no overhang.

So, yeah, sorry but if it’s like that it’s unlikely to go.

TheABC · 28/02/2021 18:56

Mine is much smoother, thanks to yoga & weight training every other day and dropping half a stone. However, I don't think I would attempt a bikini on the beach.

What made the difference after my first child were exercises for dystasis recti and a lot of core work after my second. Its here to stay, but it can be minimised.

amusedbush · 28/02/2021 20:29

I haven’t had a baby but my mum had two sections (I was 7lbs but my brother was 10lbs 9oz!) and was left with a serious overhang. It never went away no matter how much weight she lost or how much exercise she did, so she finally had a tummy tuck a couple of years ago in her 50s.

BogRollBOGOF · 28/02/2021 21:24

I think a tummy tuck is my only option and I CBA with the risks, recovery and cost.
Baby is now 10!

Huge bump, I was size 8 with a 43" waist at the end of pregnancy. I looked full term by 6m and just kept growing and growing, and my skin is trashed and crinkly. I had an EMCS after two hours of pushing and he was jammed in back to back so the surgeon waa not in his most patient mood for aethetics!

I tuck it into high waists and crack on. It's not entirely covered by my bikini or cropped running tops but who cares.

I workout and do fitness like yoga. I'm otherwise size 8. I do have a mild diastasis in the normal range.

BlueSoop · 28/02/2021 21:31

Yes it is fixable - with surgery. I’m planning to get mine done as soon as Covid is over.

justjuggling · 28/02/2021 22:44

I’ve had two caesareans and have never managed to get rid of the over hang. I’m a bit chubby currently but it was still there when I was much slimmer.

Universallyhappy · 28/02/2021 22:52

Yes, you have to reduce overall body fat and keep it low. Depends if you really want it gone. If I gain weight it comes back. It is just literally a scar which pulls into the layers of skin. Only way to reduce is to make the layer thinner. Of surgery

Lbnc2021 · 28/02/2021 22:54

I had twins by c section and had an overhang until about 5 years ago, I am a bodybuilder though

TheCatWithTheFluffyTail · 28/02/2021 22:57

I’ve had four c sections and only got the overhang after my third one. I’m a size eight and it’s minimal but any bloating or fluctuation and it’s much more obvious. I saw a women’s health physio who said surgery is the only way to get rid of it (not sure if she was being specific to mine or not).

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