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Original poster

Wrinkly stomach :(

31 replies

BeanoNoir · 20/12/2013 09:24

I'm only early 30s but dc2 has left me with a very wrinkled stomach. The skin must have stretched too much during pregnancy.

Is there any hope? I've got a nice body shape back but feel so down about the appearance of my stomach. I'm hoping there's some kind of non surgical option because undergoing such major surgery as a tummy tuck when I have 2 dc for purely vain reasons doesn't seem appropriate. Although I may feel differently when they're older.

Any miracle cures out there? Or do I just need to accept and move on? I was really looking forward to getting my figure back and getting into shape and now I just feel a bit sad. Looks fine with clothes on but I want to feel lovely in my underwear and just feel like I look horrible at the moment.

I know it's a shame I can't just accept and embrace but I can't.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeanoNoir · 20/12/2013 09:27

Has anyone tried thermage?

OP posts:
Ubik1 · 20/12/2013 09:32

You could try getting a bit fatter to try and fill out the wrinkles...Grin

Otherwise it's surgery or just accepting that you are a woman who has had two children who has a bit of wrinkly tummy

MolotovCocktail · 20/12/2013 09:35

Beano, I think your wrinkly tummy skin is something that is left over from pregnancy.

It is caused by lack of skin elasticity. If there's larger amounts of collagen in the skin (typically in younger skin), the skin springs back into shape post-pg.

Think about a balloon that has been inflated. When you let the air out, it isnt as taut as it was before you blew it up. And its like that with skin.

How long ago was your dc2 born?

I'm unfamiliar with treatments for tummy skin other than a tummy tuck. I'm sure someone with more info about this will be along soon.

Good luck

MolotovCocktail · 20/12/2013 09:36

And also, how much weight did you gain during your pregnancies? Did you lose weight quickly afterwards?

Original poster
BeanoNoir · 20/12/2013 09:37

I know I'm going to have to work on accepting it, aren't I? I'll try to view it a bit like a scar. It just makes me want to cry that I was in my twenties and toned and now 2 kids later I'm not going to be able to get that back. I had a plan to get back into exercise and end up looking better at 40 than I did at 20. Well we know what happens when you try and plan something, don't we? Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
BeanoNoir · 20/12/2013 09:39

With dc1 I gained 2 stone, with dc2 I gained 3 stone. I gave birth 4 and a half months ago and have lost the weight and back to pre pregnancy size. Dc are 2 years apart.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeanoNoir · 20/12/2013 09:40

Yes I lost the weight quite quickly. I was 10st4 when I got back from hospital in August and am now 8st.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeanoNoir · 20/12/2013 09:41

I'm pretty short so that's the upper end of what is my 'normal' weight.

OP posts:
Walnut8 · 20/12/2013 09:48

I have the same thing Beano. One of those things I have just accepted. I have stretch mark scars as well which make it even worse, no more bikini for me, even though back to pre-preg size 8/10. But I have two gorgeous little girls!

Original poster
BeanoNoir · 20/12/2013 09:52

I guess the bikini thing doesn't worry me as much as, erm, when I'm in the bedroom. I'm worried I'll feel silly in nice underwear etc like trying to polish a turd. Maybe I could look at some high waisted knickers or sheer/lacy vests that might help me feel a bit nicer. When I've stopped bf I might have a proper assessment and buy some appropriate clothing.

Btw I don't mean to offend anyone else who has it. I'm sure if I saw someone else's I wouldn't think about it the same way I do when I see mine.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeanoNoir · 20/12/2013 09:52

Maybe I need to spend out on a decent haircut, nails, shoes etc so the rest of me looks shit hot to make up for it Grin

OP posts:
WaitingForMe · 20/12/2013 09:56

I just got new underwear (Bravissimo) and the knickers are high waisted. I'd been feeling a bit down about stomach wrinkles as I've lost the baby weight but look very different but feel fabulous in my new stuff (getting my boobs in the right place helped!).

MolotovCocktail · 20/12/2013 09:58

4.5 months is very early days, you know. With my dd2, it was more like 9-12months post-birth before the softening of my tummy looked less doughy. There is still a softening and if I let my muscles 'go', I can still look about 4 months pg!

santamarianovella · 20/12/2013 10:02

beano 4 months is still early,to judge, you might need some toning excersice to help things go back to shape.

I'm no expert,but this usually happens when you lose weight rapidly,and following a very low in fat diet, which is not a good way to lose weight specially pregnancy weight.

And I'm a bit curious,as to why you feel its vain to get a tummy tuck? If it really bothers you,and after exploring other non surgical options,and you still get no results I see no issue in getting one.

Oh! I think there are some laser or pulse light treatments for excess skin,

dottyaboutstripes · 20/12/2013 10:10

I have this. My tummy muscles are also knackered after 6 babies. I used Mama Mio Bootcamp for Tummies and was impressed but it included exercises so that was probably what improved things.

eurochick · 20/12/2013 10:12

Are you doing core exercises to tone the muscles under the skin?

santamarianovella · 20/12/2013 10:14

Meant to say other treatments than thermage.

MolotovCocktail · 20/12/2013 10:15

I would higjly recommended poat-natal pilates Smile

MolotovCocktail · 20/12/2013 10:15

*highly

DeathMetalMum · 20/12/2013 10:24

Watching as I also have this after two dc quite close together. I would also say it is rather early my second dc is 9 months and my tummy is still improving slightly has done quite a bit since 6 months too. I didn't put on much weight I was just all bump and a largeish baby (everyone said I looked ready to pop from around 30 weeks), so I can imagine the pressure on my skin in that area.

IDugUpADiamond · 20/12/2013 10:32

If will definitely get better but might take a year or two, not weeks or months.

Mapleissweet · 20/12/2013 10:36

Same for me. Had four huge babies, now a size 6-8 with a great figure but wrinkly tummy.
Seeing a surgeon in January about a tummy tuck and correction my tummy muscles. I feel as though it's now or never.
I do Pilates which is fab and exercise but nothing will move that crappy skin unless it's cut away...

PrinceRogersNelson · 20/12/2013 10:40

I have this. I am a size 8 and you cannot tell in clothes, but I have an over hang of wrinkly skin. I accept it and I have quite a toned tummy under it so it does help a bit.

Give it time and do exercise :)

santamarianovella · 20/12/2013 10:49

Did any of you have c-sections?
And Is it possible to have a flat tummy after 2 or maybe three c-sections?
I had a c-section with dd,and Im sure second baby will be c-sect too, I have a flat tummy now,but I think I won't be lucky next time! I was thinking of getting a mini tuck after having my 2nd baby,

Sorry for hijacking the thread,Blush but I'm really concerned about it too

Pandsbear · 20/12/2013 12:03

OP I think you are hoping for too much too soon! Really 4 months is no time at all. Seriously give it a bit more time and see what your skin is like in a year or so - I know it seems like ages away but there is a very good chance that things will look better (to you) by then.

I don't have a completely flat stomach as such but it's not bad and the wrinkles from my twin pg went after about 2 years and the skin looks pretty good now (I am tiny too so lots of stretch was required when pg). Don't give up hope just yet.

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