Lost elastin in stomach area- tummy tuck?

[winnertakesitall]

I am a petite 5"2- and my ds was a large baby. My stomach took a beating during pregnancy over 4 years ago and my stomach was like a London tube map- absolutely covered in stretch marks. I am aware that stretch marks are pretty unavoidable- I used the creams, and no surprise, the stretch marks just kept on coming.

Post birth I didn't expect much- but my stomach is a state. I had an emergency Cs, so have a little overhang. But this is not the problem. What's far worse for me is that actually my stomach skin itself seems to have lost all it's elastin. It looks like a balloon that's deflated and been left too long in the sun. I've exercised and lost most the baby weight, but my stomach area is really hideous. In changing rooms I am suddenly coy, I would never dream of wearing a bikini now.

Would a tummy tuck sort this sort of thing out? It is beginning to drag me down. My DH is lovely- but I feel like I've got old persons skin all over my tummy , far from sexy or appealing.

Also- if anyone has had a tummy tuck can they indicate the sort of cost, and (as importantly) how painful it was... God, I sound so vain, but I am only 32 and feel that this is not how I want to look forever! If there are any other tips for tightening up the tum, I'm all ears!

HI I sympathise....
I can't wear a bikini either, my overhang is a little bigger than yours. If you have a look at coconut oil onto your skin. Probiotics for your digestion (also relieves bloating and tummy fat etc) and also google for the Julie Tupler technique. I had an Emergency Cs as well, and had an extremely large diastasis recti split and managed to almost close it down with Julie Tuplers' exercises - there should be no need to buy the book as her website and a bit of googling will get you there. Essentially its reps of holding in the tummy and pulsing. This gave me back my waist and strengthened my lower back, as well as closing the gap at the front.

Also, rolling onto your side to get out of bed and NEVER get up from a laying down position straight upright, always roll onto your side to get up. This supports your tummy muscles and stops them from parting/weakening again.

Wouldn't a tummy tuck involve cutting these muscles again? If you do go for one, please remember Julie Tupler is the real deal. Even if you didn't have a diastasis recti gap.
best of luck IB xx

Snap. My stomach is a wrinkled bag of skin. Horrible. Like you, it's the skin that is the problem. I can pull it away from my body, it is loose, like you say no elastin. I have three DC and am petite size 8-10. I've had three CS and three big babies. My cousin Tecebtky had a tummy tuck and although I didn't see her stomach before it is flat and smooth now. She has a BIG scar though. Hip to hip. It was extremely painful and she couldn't drive/ lift things for weeks. Id still like one but not whilst DC3 still so young! I'm 37 by the way.

I had a tummy tuck for just that reason! I'd done all that I could (I needed no muscle repair) and I had mushy dangly, very very stripy skin that hung (really grotesquely if I leaned forward). I didn't expect miracles which is just as well because you still wouldn't want to see me in a bikini as the skin is still stripy and rubbish, the scars though faded are extensive and still visible after two and a half years and my reconstructed belly-button looks a bit weird but, having said that, I'm really pleased I had it done. It's rather easier to recover if you don't need a muscle repair so I can only say that I found it no problem at all but other people's experience will vary

My friend who had 4 dcs all sections has had it done and her tummy looks amazing

Was 6k though

I'd love it done as I'm slim but got the baggy skin etc but tbh couldn't justify the money

4nomore- that's interesting. I don't think I'd need muscle repair- they don't appear to have separated. I know what you mean about bending over- in some positions when I catch sight of myself I cringe- and it's like a saggy mess. I hate it!!

6k is a lot of money- but, between DH and I we could take this out of bonuses one year in the future and although it would sting I think it'd be life changing. I think I will wait until
My ds is more self sufficient if bending/lifting is going to be problematic.

My problem (by the sounds of it like yours 4nomore) is that the stretched skin in hip to hip, and top of pubic hair, to just below my ribs!! God knows how much difference a surgeon would be able to make.

Where did you get yours done?

Stupidly, I keep on thinking if my DH ever left me (no reason to think he would) who else would want to see me naked?!! I hate my stomach so much! I used to have great abs and quite a bikini body post ds! I feel rather battered by it all.

I am currently doing physio-led Pilates - my tummy took a battering with DD.

The GP has said not to have the op until I have definitely finished having kids otherwise another pregnancy would get me back to square one....

Is physio-led Pilates something you were referred to- or something you looked up and booked? Think this would also help my back problems which have resulted from my dodgy core post CS.

Think we're done having kids, quite happy with the one- but would probably leave any op a few years just to be sure I don't get broody again !

I had mine done through Transform and I think it cost £5000 but that was getting on for three years ago. I also had (and still have) stretch marks extending up to just under my ribs. There are a number of different tucks that would lead to slightly different outcomes in terms of exactly what "stripes" remain where but if you have extensive stretch marks obviously there's only so much that can be done from that point of view. I've ended up with a slightly raised line of pubic hair and a midline scar low down which I think was required to get a neat finish out of my my very overstretched skin. The main thing though is that it is neat, very neat, no strange bulges over the scars, very flat tummy (at least when I'm at my proper weight) and nothing squishing or dangling. You can do some research while you're waiting to be sure your family is finished, I had a mastopexy at the same time and I was more focused on that and so I went into the op maybe not quite as well informed as I could've been

Thanks 4nomore- a lot of food for thought. Exciting but a bit scary at the same time.

Sorry for late reply... I was having physio at my workplace, and the physio is running a class for 6 of us with various core issues. Worth seeking a specialist women's physio and chatting to them about this!

Hi - my first mumsnet post.... I didnt know where else to go for honest advice. Anyway Im 47 - have 4 kids - the last pregnancy being 2 x 6lb twins. Yes you can imagine. So here i am - divorced and stressed. At 5'7" I am a very slim 8stone 8lb... can wear a size 10 bikini. But when i lean forward - yuk - that wrinkly deflated balloon look is devastating. Wouldnt be so bad if was happily married - clothes fit fine - but undressed... with a potential new partner??? Its just not going to happen. Am looking into surgery in Europe - Prague or Poland maybe...have seen costs on Google from less than 2k... but does anyone have real information about treatment abroad??? Would so appreciate any advice. Thx in anticipation.

Anita - try building up your core muscles first - I believe that's my problem, and try using a skin tightening cream or bio oil for a good few months before any one tries surgery - it will leave scars!

I have plenty skin, stretch marks inside my belly button (what's left of it anyway). I was always a size 10 and had twins.

My best bit of skin is what they would take out if I had a tummy tuck. I have seen the ops on ch4 and it is not for me.

It improved a lot when I took up ballet, pilates and contemporary dance. I look fine with my clothes on.

It gets better year by year. I am now waiting for the rest of me to sag to match.

Is this not available on the nhs? I know a couple of women who have had breast surgery why not the tummy area as it's just as distressing.
I managed to have 4 with not much problem but I had poly hyrdoamnious
Or too much fluid. I had to be signed of work at 34 weeks as I couldn't walk or breathe very well at all.
Consequently she left me with a nasty overhang which actually gets a it sore and sweaty at times.
I can't afford surgery and it doesn't bother me massively but I'd be interested to know if it is available.

Aw Anita a decent man wouldn't care don't feel you have to have surgery just for that reason. Anyway you sound like you look fine if you can wear a bikini

And I wouldn't touch the cut price ones abroad. I've heard too many horror stories (although happy to be proved wrong If anyone has had positive experiences)

Oh no don't do it for a man love.

My dh is ten years younger and bloody gorgeous, he married me with a saggy tummy, if I did anything it would be purely for me to feel better in clothes/swimming costumes.

Thanks for all your helpful replies - yes will try the bio oil and other specific tummy toning exercises but truth is my stomach muscles are not bad - apart from slight gap in panel from navel to pubic line - that i can live with, i just need the saggy few inches of skin taken in! I hear there is a mini procedure that would probably suffice - will look more into that.
And in response to not doing it for a man - well - i dont want to feel let down or disadvantaged because of wobbly tummy skin when i take pride in the rest of my appearance. If i was still with the man who had known and loved this body for 20 years and had seen it carry his children i wouldnt expect to feel like this but right now my confidence is at an all time low and i need something to make me feel better - not worse. Please dont judge. Its been hideous. look i cant even add a smiley.... ;(

winner I had a tummy tuck after I had DS2, he was a very big baby and no matter how much I exercised and lost weight my tummy was a complete mess, in fact the more I lost the worse it looked. I am very happy now but it took a long time to heal and my god it was absolute agony.

Thanks for your honesty. I'm still keen for a tummy tuck but need to prepare myself for the pain and think whilst he's still only 4 I need to be physically mobile enough to run round after him, even if I'm out of action for just a couple of weeks. Maybe in a couple of years I'll do it and let others do the running around!

@Anita4077 did you ever have this done? Would love to know how you got on