Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

C-section overhang

34 replies

Jethers · 08/01/2008 17:07

I had a an unplanned C-section 8 months ago and am now left with this really weird, kind of muffin-top tummy overhang just above the scar. I'm not super thin, but neither am I hugely fat and my tummy has gone down but the overhang remains. Does anyone else have this and does anyone know how to get rid of it?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
WendyWeber · 08/01/2008 17:10

Yes and no - sorry, Jethers. I think it's more or less universal.

I've had 4 CSs; was quite young (well, 31) for the first one, plus it was done in a New York hospital, and I had no overhang after that one - but the others were NHS jobs and the overhang got worse each time.

I suspect it's skill (or lack of) by surgeon that makes the difference.

sugar34plum · 08/01/2008 17:13

i have and its damned ugly isnt it! But i have had 4 c sections. Have been told the only way is surgery which isnt cheap so i am saving!

Its because all your muscles have been cut and no matter how much exerrcise you do it will not shift.

WendyWeber · 08/01/2008 17:15

I did ask for a spot of liposuction before I was stitched up at the last one but he just gave me A Look

Iota · 08/01/2008 17:16

I ahve one and that's after a mere 2 x cs

Kneehighinnappies · 08/01/2008 17:19

I had the same problem after my first cs, but then after my second as they cut in the same place they actually cut more scar then they shoudl have away and gave me a mini tummy tuck by mistake (not that I'm going to complain about that one) which got rid of my little over hang.
So there you go have another baby then ask them to cut a bit extra away

rahrahrahrahrah · 08/01/2008 17:22

I have one after 1 cs. I was very envious of the other mums in my antenatal group as none of them had one. I wonder what causes it? I was very slim before having ds but put on 3 stone whilst pregnant, maybe this had something to do with it.

mumemma · 08/01/2008 17:27

I've got the same problem after two c-sections. I'm generally anti-surgery but thought this article was interesting as this woman obviously did everything she could naturally - look how fit her arms and legs are:

www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=496810&in_page_id=1879

Jackstini · 08/01/2008 17:29

I have (after 1 cs 21 months ago) - it's a bugger isn't it
Does go down a little when I lose weight but doesn't go. Only way to get rid I have been told is a tummy tuck.
Would never have a serious op for beauty's sake but am seriously tempted to go private and ask for a bit extra off if I have to have another cs anyway (if I get pg again - fingers crossed!)

eleusis · 08/01/2008 17:47

Yeah, I have it too. And a bunch of extra flab on my arse too. Do you think it's from the section?

bobsmum · 08/01/2008 17:50

Ihave it too. Had a VBAC with dd and it's still there. I'm hoping for another vB with no3, but I don't imagine it will make any difference. The pouch is there for good unless I get a tummytuck. Maybe one day....

Unfitmother · 08/01/2008 17:52

I've one after 2 cs

ahundredtimes · 08/01/2008 17:54

God perhaps we should all have tummy tucks? I've had three cs and when I lie on my side it's like having a small puppy rolled up next to me.

sallystrawberry · 08/01/2008 18:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BetsyBoop · 08/01/2008 22:53

I had a small pouch after my first cs with DD, now have a HUGE one after second cs with DS (only 8wks ago though, and my abdo's did separate - DS was 10lb 10.5oz - so I'm hoping when they finally get back together (I'd got from 5 fingers to 2 fingers separated by post natal check) it might be a bit smaller.....maybe....

It's so frustrating, I'm lighter now than when I got preggo, but still look about 5months pregnant....

moocowme · 09/01/2008 08:57

yep got one after one cs. control or firm granny knickers do the trick.

i do find that wearing the elastic body sock thing the physio gave me after the birth helps it go down a bit for a while.

control knickers are less painful than more surgery. should i find myself in the market for a new significant other i might consider it but otherwise i think i will skip the surgery and pain.

meep · 09/01/2008 09:01

me too - I call it "the ledge"!

mumofdjandp · 09/01/2008 09:03

me too I have had 2 sections

I look rather unsightly I must say but hey ho I have two lovely kids!!!

Lyra75 · 09/01/2008 10:37

yep got one too, though to be fair I was probably pretty close to it before I got pregnant!

ScaryHairy · 09/01/2008 22:17

I have one too and am told it is the result of the scar being tighter than the surrounding skin.

One thing you can do about it is to massage the scar (just rub it for a few minutes every day). This will help reduce the scar tissue and will improve the scar's appearance. It may aso help reduce the overhand - I think it has done this a bit for me. HTH.

Jackstini · 10/01/2008 22:29

Will try it SH - worth a go.
Been using Bio Oil on it anyway which has certainly reduced the scar tissue by a fair amount

alfiesbabe · 10/01/2008 22:49

The caesarian shelf, I call it. I got pg again very soon after my cs, and always wondered whether that had something to do with it. Stretching the old uterus again not long after all those muscles had been cut. But reading these posts it sounds like it's pretty much par for the course for everyone who's had a cs. oooh I feel another thread coming on..... look on the weight loss one everyone.

LovingBeingAMummyx · 13/08/2010 23:50

Hi all,
I had an emergency c-section due to my son being undiagnosed breach. He is now 5 1/2 months old, and my over hang is still very much there, and its very depressing as I have never had anything like it before. I am no longer able to wear tight dresses due to it showing up. I pretty much wear baggy tops all of the time. I asked my health visitor about it, and she said, "Its there for good i'm afraid". I have decided, once I have had another baby, I am going to ask for a tummy tuck, no point before hand, as I may have another c/s.

Chathappy · 14/08/2010 10:11

I have one too and have had 2 c sections. I compared mine with my friend who has also had a c section before and they were both identical!

I've had a deposit down on a tummy tuck for a while now - we were just trying to decide whether to have dc3 first (which is now due in 3 weeks, hopefully by vbac!). They said about 6 months after the birth I can have it done so I'm really looking forward to finally getting rid of it next year! (sorry wish I could say exercise and diet got rid of it, which I did a lot of and it didn't unfortunately!)

Mumcah · 14/08/2010 14:05

I have got an overhang too although last C section was only in may.And I need to lose 3 stone.

Posh Spice has had 3 sections and no overhang there is there?!

HinnyPet · 14/08/2010 14:20

So do you think if you go private for c section birth you can ask at same time for a "trim"??