To be sick of looking like this (pic attached)

[Yousaidwhatagain]

I had 2 CS and have that pooch. I eat well, exercise and have gone down to my size 8 again except for this horrible stomach that does not want to shift.
It is IMPOSSIBLE to find a pair of trousers or jeans.
I have to go for a bigger size to fit my stomach but then it looks so baggy and shit fitting on me. I feel so frumpy because I just cannot find good clothing.

I recently bought a pair of trousers for 100 pounds and then spent 50 to tailor it because it was huge all round from butt to the thighs and bottom - all because it can fit my stomach. I just can't do that again.

I'm honestly depressed. I am 5'3, petite but look pregnant. Why isn't there more options available for women's bottoms given that many women experience this. Please help. What can I do? Where can I shop.

I would see a woman's health physio or a PT who specialises in post natal health and fitness. There's so much more to your core than Kegels and "sucking your stomach in". I've been a chronic stomach holder in my whole life, but to improve my core after my first pregnancy I had to learn how to engage the lower muscles, the bit where you have your pouch. A lot of the classic exercises overwork certain muscles creating tension in other areas which can affect not just how you look but how well your back, hips etc are supported and exacerbate any aches and pains. I also used the Restore your Core programme which was a game changer.

Wear looser clothes on your top half, dresses etc instead?

Same OP I’m down to my original size 10, but look pregnant. Had my vaginal births 15+ years ago, and have tried everything—physio, MUTU system. I still work on my core nearly every day. I now have a cracking 6-pack, but there is so much skin hanging over it, which means you can only see the top and sides of the 6-pack (and I look pregnant in clothes). It pisses me off actually, because I’ve worked damn hard for my abs and I still look bloody pregnant in clothes. And I can’t wear a bikini because the skin is loose, wrinkly, and flabby (DC has kindly said it looks like bread dough that has flattened after it has sat for an hour or so). I have an appointment lined up with a surgeon, although I’d really hoped to avoid going that far, but there’s nothing else I can do. I think the going price these days is £10k+. I should have done it when it was cheaper, but I naively thought I could work it off. Time to let my 6-pack shine!

Working on your core and back muscles will really help, OP. I had the same and after a year of consistent work, my stomach is the same as it was pre CS. I also used to have lower back pain and no longer do as the muscles strengthened there.

I agree. Posture was the first thing I thought when I saw your photo.

Sorry to say but unless you have a washboard stomach you'll always have a bit of overhang there. Much of that area is now scar tissue, fat can't distribute there so it'll sit on top - hence c section shelf.

I'm a size 14 with the most obscene, flabby overhang. I hate it and am so restricted with what I can wear. I can't even be arsed to lose weight because my shape will still never be the same.

But it’s so hot and squeezy! 🥵

Agree with PP saying about your posture.

I live in high waisted trousers and jeans. They are much more comfy because the waistband sits above my stomach. Anything that is mid or low rise digs in and squashes my stomach up.

Spanx for dresses.

Before DC1 I used to do exactly this pretty much from childhood but now find it almost impossible to hold my tummy in more than a couple of seconds! HELP!

I am a similar shape and height. I find it frustrating too, how ever much I exercise or diet the tummy is still there. I recently had a hysterectomy (at the age of 42) and was hoping it would help a little but it hasn’t really made a difference. I hate buying jeans/trousers as I imagine them fitting like they do on the model wearing them but when I put them on I’m just disappointed by my belly bulge 😭. Good underwear does help a little but it’s bloody uncomfortable.

My kids are 18,20&20 (twins,obvs) my stomach looks like a giant scrotum) a tummy tuck terrifies me.

I’ve always stored weight in my stomach- it only goes away if I’m a size 6, which is way too small for my frame and I look ill. I got a DR with my first pregnancy and have basically accepted that trousers are just not for me anymore, and now I only wear dresses. I got my stomach down to a good size by walking uphill every day and doing deep core exercises…then got pregnant again! I’m 3 months postpartum and am starting from scratch, I honestly look about 7 months pregnant :(

I had a tummy tuck and muscle repair
Cost £13k
Was walking around after a few days and back wfh in a week
I swam regularly but was 14st and not super fit

Nothing else worked
Awful isnt it
Had 3 kids

I had three CS in 3.5 years, the last one being nearly 29 years ago. Had to go back to work 6 weeks after each one, never got the time to do the abdo exercises that might have rectified the pouch and split muscles, was a lone parent for the last 10 years before youngest left home so was just flat out always. I’ve never loved the look of the pouch etc but - you know what? - I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and I treat the pouch as my battle scar that I’m proud of.

I had a pouch and some other problems in the area due to pregnancy (hernia). I ended up needing a surgical hernia repair and added on a tummy tuck.

Despite having done loads of Pilates and yoga with people who proclaimed their expertise in postnatal recovery they had all missed that my abdominals were massively separated and I could never have exercised my way make to my previous figure (or anything close).

the surgery was very full on as was recovery but it was a perfect finish and kind of great to feel like myself again. Not encouraging women to have unnecessary surgery but also there are options if this is really affecting you.

I'm due to have my 2nd section in a few weeks. I already had the pooch after my 1st section. I've heard Pilates can be good. I'm not as slim as you I'm a size 12. I found it so difficult to find jeans pp last time. I really don't think a lot of these new styles will suit me at all with the elastic waist.

Any good knickers out there?

What's your current exercise regime? It's the teeniest tiniest pooch - more than shiftable without surgery

Physio first

Then a proper weights programme, alongside the likes of barre or pilates to improve posture, and strengthen your back + core

I used a belly band, it does seem to push the fat around do to speak. Bit like a corset, you can’t really wear it outside of the house or bed though. I used it after c sec. I hated the jiggling feeling, it helped with pain and I loved the support. It did flatten my tum but the fat went to my hips and butt (but I’d rather if there). I massaged myself, at least have nice soft skin, bit of fake tan! (Not David Dickinson levels). 🤣

Manage your expectations, (I wouldn’t look at you and think oh gosh look at that tum). You have carried three children, just look after yourself, eat well, exercise, watch your posture, shoulders back, good bra, heels, nails, hair, make up, work your arms and legs, strengthen your legs and back, make the most of what you have. You’re the only one thinking about your tum.

It doesn't look that bad. I have major bloat there. I actually look pregnant. I do ab ripper but to be honest it's never going to look great after carrying multiple big babies.

Sorry to hear you've been struggling with body confidence.
Out of interest - do c sections make it harder to loose tummy weight than natural births?

My waist went from 27 to 35 after a c section. I was an hourglass. God knows what I am now.

It’s 18 years old and l still hate it. I’ve tried everything to get rid of it.

Next and M and S jeans seem to fit this shape best.

I’m similar to you 20 years PP.
Two pregnancies the second was twins and I was more horizontal than vertical and looked full term at 12 weeks.
The muscle separation was huge.
Ive spent 20years being told exercises by GP surgery, online, classes, yoga etc and whilst I’m now muscly and fitter there’s still that irritating bulge of skin and the muscles are still not back to normal.
I also intend to go for surgery now.

I didn't even have a c section and I have that pooch. I was very slight before I got pregnant and my baby bump got more and more huge with each pregnancy. I don't even recognise my own stomach. I'm always aware of it.

Primark do some support underwear that are like normal knickers with a really strong 4in deep elastic panel. They are brilliant for my stomach. I've also just bought a hey shape body suit which is also really good and gives a nice smooth shape. I can't afford and don't really want surgery. Mine starts right from under my ribs and when I gain any weight I'd let my core workouts slide, it returns. For bikinis I wear high waisted bottoms and either a sports bra or a normal top. There's a company called hell bunny that do really nice retro shape swimwear to disguise the tummy.

Your muscles are cut right through during a c section
So yes in the early weeks whilst you’re recovering from surgery it’s impossible to do much in the way of exercises.
Plus the stitching back seems to leave a bulge above the scar which means skin hangs over it.
Its just so depressing