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.

Agree with the posture comments. This isn't a criticism of you but you are standing like a pregnant woman! I suffered from this (though no c sections). Flat bum and curved back from pregnancy waddling and then carrying heavy kids on my hip by sticking my stomach out to support them.

Being extremely conscious of my posture has made me look like a different person. Also added benefit of appearing more confident when not slouching. You can feel your abs engaging when you try to walk any distance with the correct posture.

This is partly excess weight though. A lot of C Sec women constantly blame C Sec when in fact it’s weight

I think your figure is a lot better then you perceived it to be but your posture is poor, and most high street clothing is incredibly unflattering on almost everyone nowadays

I would recommend a physio specialising in post partum, and then pilates even reformer pilates specifically for core and diastis recti. And then accepting that what clothes you wear likely needs to change and will be more expensive, structured and tailored.

Honestly OP I think your main problem is your posture. Working with a physiotherapist or even just a few sessions with a PT to set you on the right path could massively improve this. You have a notable anterior tilt to your pelvis and I'm sure your core is weak. This is very fixable (without surgery or drastic diet) but it does take some commitment, time, and guidance from someone who knows what they're doing. You probably won't have a washboard stomach (how many people do?) but you could improve your profile dramatically by working on your back and core.

Yeah true! I use it for when I really want to hide the PP tummy but I couldn't everyday.

Thanks Mner's. I wouldn't go the surgery route as I am still very traumatised by my hysterotomy.

So it seems like from the advice given I need to look at physio, Pilates , and more core strengthening.

Sorry if I come across as ungrateful or vain. I may be a petite 8/10 but I just feel horrible about my body.
I've had IVF too, and with all the treatment I feel my stomach area took its toll.

Recently I have been mistaken for being pregnant which was just awful as you can imagine.

I actually didn't realise regarding my posture, so that has been very helpful. My LO is quite heavy as well so when I am carried her now I did immediately notice that I was arching my back quite a bit. So I will definitely work on my posture.

No this is completely wrong, especially in the OP's case as she is very petite.

The c section itself leaves scar tissue, that leaves an overhang. Mine is not a pooch from being pregnant, or from muscles splitting, from posture (I'm a pilates addict) or from bloating. It is hard scar tissue which sits above my scar and will not go away.

Diet, exercise, posture, clothes, all help. But there is something very specific about the C-section shape that is extremely hard (or impossible) to rectify.

@WorriedMama12 I had the op on a Friday and started working (from home) again on the following Monday. I did get a wound infection which took longer to heal but I was mobile from day 2 ish. It wasn't my favourite few weeks but I would do it again in a blink.

My quality of life has increased significantly; after the op I lost three more stone because I was motivated, my career has improved because my confidence increased, clothes shopping and dressing ever day is an actual joy now and not just an exercise in making myself look less awful.

I did think it was bloat, and there is definitely something in my diet that contributes to it that I haven’t been able to pinpoint. Whenever I’m in Europe I eat and drink whatever I want and have no bloating, so it must be a UK specific ingredient… I’ve been meaning to do an exclusion diet but haven’t carved out the time.
But then even when I’m not bloated, you can see my ribs and upper abs, and I still have a stubborn fat store pouch. Absolutely detest it

I know many women who had C Secs washboard stomachs. Not necessarily the best thing and not advocating as healthy but still achievable. Private C Secs perhaps they take more care? The OP is by no means overweight but the look she seems to want to achieve involves fat loss as well as strength training to pretend otherwise is silly.

Have you checked yourself for diastasis recti? You can do this yourself (google how)

My overhang is awful, 2 x cs's.

I didn’t actually have C sections but still have the same issues with my stomach post-pregnancy. I’m a size 8-10 but if I gain even a couple of pounds they seem to go straight to my stomach, whereas before pregnancy I still had a flat stomach even as a size 12.

Like PPs have said I also have terrible posture since having kids and I’ve been trying to really focus on this and strengthening my core. Pilates seems to have helped quite a bit.

Also I just don’t tend to wear trousers anymore, and wear jeans only very occasionally. I’ve kind of accepted that they don’t suit my body shape now. I still look great in dresses!

How do you find a good person to do your tummy tuck?