Belly shelf flab

[serenadippity]

Is there any way to get rid of it? I'm slim and quite fit and my last baby was years ago, but I still have a c section shelf and it's ugly. I decided to treat myself so went to get cryolipolysis (fat frozen) yesterday and was told it would be a waste of time or even make things worse because my skin is damaged and it would be even more saggy. Right now I can't afford surgery and have some reservations about going through it anyway, so I'd be interested to know if anyone here has had surgery and their thoughts on it. I could try losing even more weight and see if that helps? I'm 5'6 and 8 stone 13. Wondered if anyone has some ideas?

Anyone?

I don't think you can do anything about the loose skin, other than surgery. Mine has flattened out, but the stretch marks are still there and my tum looks wrinkly when I sit down, bend over, etc. but I keep it hidden and it doesn't really bother me (most of the time). I don't agree that the skin gets more saggy as you lose more fat in that area, this isn't what happened to me. The shelf lifted up as I lost the fat until most of the fat was gone and I am left with some loose skin, it's much better than before. The skin doesn't hang down when I'm standing up.

I think I will try to lose another 4 or 5lb and see if that helps

Weight training, HIIT and running helped a lot. I weight around 9 stones now, and 5ft 5.5, so around the same height as you. It does take a long time though, mine only properly flattened out in the last 6 months, and I have been working out hard for 4 years, my last c-section baby is now 6.

I read on here recently that swimming works best for toning excess tummy flab. Not sure about skin though.

Same height and weight. Haven't had a c section but I don't think losing weight will do much. I was 8 stone 4 a couple of years ago and I look far better at this weight. I'm a small framed hourglass shape if that helps you compare.

A type of exercise that will tone will be much more effective. Swimming is a good idea or Pilates is meant to be good.

I look far better at this weight

As in the weight I am now. I looked ill at 8 stone 4.

I think losing weight is the answer and then exercising to gain muscle in the right areas.

I have a shelf bit from an appendix operation and i also store fat round my middle despite being thin. I currently weigh 7 stone 10 which is just under weight but the only way i can reduce belly fat.

Plan to try and build muscle to put on weight just not round my stomach.

I've had 2 cs's and never found any answer to that 'pouch', irrespective of how much weight I lost.

I'm going to try Pilates, some swimming, cycling and lose a bit more weight and post back here in 6 weeks.

Please do. Will be good to hear!

Watching. I never had a c section but did have massive bumps which stretched the skin. I now have wrinkly skin on my upper tummy and on my lower tummy a little pad of fat which won't go away. Core underneath is toned and flat (after a lot of pilates) and I'm fairly slim but the fat pad stays...

Sorry meant to post a few weeks ago. I've been extra busy with work. But . . . I have improved the belly! Still a long way to go. So in about ten weeks of very unfocused activity ( due to numerous crises / work load etc) the shelf bit has got much smaller and skin much better. I haven't got around to swimming or Pilates yet. This is what I have done:

• I have lost two more pounds
• have been cycling a few times a week, going fast
• cross trainer in the evening when watching TV and adverts come on. I bought a second hand one and put it behind the sofa
• do sit ups every day. There was a long time when I couldn't do sit ups at all. I learned to do them by holding a weight in front of me while doing them which made it much easier. Then gradually moved to smaller weights, then none.
• using a body brush very vigorously on the belly fat every day
• plastering it in stretch mark cream several times a day, as often as I can remember.
• eating as normal - porridge, honey, wholegrain seedy bread, butter, veg, fish, nuts

My plan now is to cycle more and lose a bit more weight. Skin looks much, much better so I'm pleased but a bit frustrated that it's taking so long.

Is it actually the skin that looks bad, or the shelf that's annoying you? I've got the lovely shelf too and I can't see it disappearing, even if I lost more weight...

Both. Wrinkly skin and the shelf, but the shelf is the most horrible part. It has definitely got smaller. I'll be happy with smooth skin with silvery stretch marks and a bit fatty. I'm not expecting perfection. Just hate the lumpiness and the bloody shelf.

I've got a flap. It's horrid. I worked SO hard to lose 4st after DC2 and his EMCS birth, I'm a size 8 now but I can't get rid of this horrible saggy apron of fat for love nor money. Watching this thread for inspiration, and well done OP!