Tummy control pants

[didireallysaythat]

I'm looking for a miracle pair of support knickers to help hold in my diverficated stomach paunch muscles.

Seriously though, the physio has recommended taking the Bridget Jones approach to stomach containment while I try and exercise things better.

So who makes the most comfortable/effective ones ? Bear in mind I'm looking at having to wear these for months so they need to be comfortable and not crazily expensive as I'll need half a dozen of them, but they also need to last. They need to go all the way to the top of my stomach (what a great look..) - maybe a compression vest would be better ?

Advice please, oh wise ones ?

I hear good things about spanx (and not just from the physio). I'm confused about spanx sizing though - I'm a size 12-14, 5-4 and 1-2 stone overweight. The chart suggests size C but size 12-14 reviewers suggest size A.

I was hoping to order a pair online as I really can't face squeezing myself getting stuck into a pair in a dressing room at the weekend with my 15 month old looking on....

I bought some from primark. They did the job,, and were very cheap but they gave me tummy ache

I'm back to letting it all hang out now. Breathing freely is a simple but underrated pleasure

I've been breathing freely and letting it all hang out for 12 months now. Alas if I continue I'm likely to develop a full hernia. Time for action me thinks.

I like the idea of cheap. I don't like the idea of tummy ache.

I'm surfing for power knickers and I'm feeling like I need a stiff drink.... Perhaps I could use duct tape....

I would vote for Spanx. Other control pants gave me tummy ache/indigestion too, but for some reason in the Spanx this never happens. Also they are so well cut that there are no unslightly bulges spilling over the edges. I am size 14-16 and have size D, if that is any help.

I get a tummy ache from control underwear. I've let it all hang out for 24 months.

Just want to let you know that I've been doing the Tupler exercises (pulling my stomach in as much during the day as I can plus series several times a day) daily for diastasis recti for about 2 weeks. My abs hurt, but my 2-finger diastasis has narrowed down to 1 finger and my silhouette is better already (I don't look 3-5 months pregnant any more - there is still a slight mound but I'm getting closer to my pre-pregnancy flat abs starting pont). So definitely give exercise a try too.

I'm not expecting the pants to be a long term fix - but a shorter term help while I work on getting stronger.

I'm continuing to exercise - I've been doing pilates classes since 6 weeks post c-section. And everything was looking good until I went back to work around 4 months. A month later (back to the desk job I guess, no time for a walk at lunchtime let alone exercise - ha !) and a golf ball at the top of my tummy appeared. The GP thought hernia, the consultant at the hospital said probably not, the first physio wasn't too sure but has helped loads with engaging long lost muscles which the pilates had help to find, the second physio says its not a hernia (yet) and has a plan of exercise and bridget jones apparel as she doesn't think I'd get surgery readily anyway. My gap is around 1 finger at the bottom, rising to 2-3 fingers at the top - no idea what it was to begin with and to be honest, I'm not too bothered about it. However the separation is rather deep (the layer of tissue below is still too stretchy), and hence my intestine poke through - giving me the attractive golf ball look. I can suck things in as much as I can, but I can't bring the golf ball back under control, so I need to exercise with the ball controlled by the knickers.....

Too much detail I suspect - but I've spent the last hour shopping for what can only be described as singularly unattractive clothes. I wish I was a yummy mummy, not a mummy with a tummy....

The primark ones are as good as any of the others I have tried.

OP please search for Julie Tupler exercises, I had an 8 finger gap and reduced it down to 2/3 after an emcs. She tells you things like to never get up from laying flat and always roll onto your side, as the forceful movements from being on your back force your insides up and can cause the muscles to part. Hope this helps x

Ok - I'm sensing there's enthusiasm for the Tuppler approach...

Can someone point me in the direction of clear Tuppler instructions ? I had a Tuppler book which I read and then put back on Amazon around 4 months ago. Perhaps I should have another go ? I don't need to work the TVA as much as the RA muscles as the separation isn't too bad, but I do need to get the fascia or whatever the layer below the RA muscles is called to regain some spring.

I've forked out for one pair of Spanx - if they are an ok to wear for a full day I've found them on sale online so I'll get more perhaps. Primark was a rugby scrum which I couldn't face today - but I'm very grateful for all the advice and very happy to receive more words of wisdom.

diastasisrehab.com/
She used to have a video on her website, but I can't seem to locate it. More or less the my physio told me to do pelvic tilts, and sort of crunches only lifting my head up whilst holding all my tum muscles in tight. This didn't really have the desired effect - or at least maybe I was just far too weak to be even doing that exercise.I found the tupler site after reading a lot of MN threads, then I ordered the Lose Your Mummy Tummy book. What she says is that all of these muscles work together, so the RA and the TVA hold the tummy in place.
I held my TVA in, as far as I could towards myback (the visual of trying to touch the inner side of your spine) and then you kind of pulse back the TVA. This is turn helps to strengthen the RA and in time, you can actually see some definition coming back in. My waist from rear view shrunk in first, then eventually I didn't look 10 months pregnant. She advocates doing around 300 reps a day I think, 3 times. Trust me - this does help. I think it's OK to wear the spanx as long as they are not compensating for your muscles- I'd embark on exercises and wear the spanx too IYSWIM. I couldn't wear normal jeans or trousers over my tummy for a very long time after giving birth.
I hope this is some kind of help, and your wee golf ball gets tucked back inside xx

OP, I can really recommend spanx tights if you want some tummy control and 'smoothing' for under dresses.

They come right up to under your bra, so you get a smooth line without any bulges all the way down. I don't think they're as 'controlling' as some of the pants, but this does mean they are comfy enough to wear on a daily basis (they also keep you snuggly and warm).

I have the 50 denier thick ones for every day under dresses. They are expensive but I bought 2 pairs last winter, wore them constantly and they're still going, so cost per wear very good.

Bought another pair this year. I'm not very overweight but I hate those under bra bulges and top of tights bulges so really love these tights.

Top tips - thanks everyone.

I've revisited Tupler. The first thing the physio said at the first class was to think about zipping up hipsters whenever you remember to think - which seems a little similar to the Tupler elevator visualisation for me, at least.

I've bought spanx which were good - but maybe the shorts style wasn't the way to go with a mini skirt (it just felt weird but I'm sure with trousers it would have been fine ). I'm now trying the peacocks support things - shame that they are (probably) closing down but everything is in sale (but you can't return!).

I'll keep on with the exercises. I hope to be able to start going to the gym/doing some aerobic activity once it's light in the evenings after the boys are in bed (ie after 9pm). Currently running around the fields in the dark isn't that appealing...

I like the John Lewis ones - cheaper and comfier than Spanx.

I had "magic knickers" to go under a dress for a wedding. When the pics Came back, I had squidgy bits below my knicker line (tops of legs) and above the waistband. Now, the dress was a size 14 so, not I'm to really the larger lady at 5ft 6ins so, I've never worn them since.
At Christmas, I got an M&S body slip thing. Hurrah!! NO telltale squidgy bits just a nice smooth, line, under my new frock. It was about £23, I think. I've worn it since. It's like a sausage skin, I have it in black. It just scoops it all in nicey!

Christ this iPad!! Many to say " now, I'm not the larger lady" at 5ft 6in in a size 14 frock.....

What about a tubi grip? Obviously not at all attractive but I wore one during and after pregnancy. Cheaper than pants especially if the physio can give you some for free. I'm not sure anything will really hold your muscles in but what I was told was that anything that makes you more aware and therefore reminds you to pull your tummy in will help.

Rather amusingly the physios have been exchanging emails on the relative merit of tubi grip. I think they are more geared up to wrapping an ankle more than wrapping a torso (new meaning to the idea of a mummy tummy). I need to look for some really wide tupi grip when I'm in town next.

I'm currently wearing a really cheap brace (think primark does belly bandit - £5.00 on ebay I think) which is actually fairly comfortable (maybe that's not the idea!) but I can feel the pressure on my stomach so maybe that will continue to remind me to "think hipsters".

Keep the ideas coming ladies - and is Tupler serious - 1000 pulses a day ? I lose count after around 20....

Oddly, I found BHS control pants to be quite good. No tummy ache, cheap, and not sweaty.

Hello ladies,
I actually found these pants that are as comfortable as legging but have an attached waist cincher.
www.gsonbrand.com
They work!