Crepe paper style stomach. Can anything be done about it?

[Pennies]

Horibble post pregancy (3 yrs ago) tum that is just gross. Can anyone tell me if I can get rid of the folds of crepe that exist there now? I'm not overweight (bmi of 23) so how can I do something about it. Will try diet, exercise, potions, lotions and soft lighting.

Well, I'm pg with baby number 3 (due end of Feb)and have yet to acquire any new stretchmarks. Think it may depend on how pregnancy goes though, if you eat lots and gain weight substantially then stretched tummy skin is bound to get more stretched.

My stomach looks like a ribbed cardigan.

I'm one snigger away from taping it at the sides in front of DH

I will try each and all of these suggestions, bar surgery.

Exercise undoubtedly improves the muscle tone but there are no miracle cures for slack skin tissue. I have also tried Strivectin HD on my crepe stomach and it didn't make any more difference than a regular moisturiser. In fact, Palmers Cocoa Butter was more effective in reducing stretchmarks and improving skin tone.

There is a laser treatment called Titan which is supposed to work pretty effectively. Apparently the results are not immediate but come to fruition a few weeks or so later.

Mine didn't get any worse after DS2 - but that's because DD was 11lb 10oz and he was 2lb smaller, so I wasn't fully stretched with him.

I got away with it with DS1 (10lb 5oz), if anything my stomach area looked better after having him (less pot).

But I agree, once the skin is stretched I can't see how anything will make it recover. Although it's probably worth exercising the abs asit can't make it any worse.

my melted candle stomach looks a bit better with some weight on.
the thinner am, the wrinklier my joey.
look good with clothes on though

No having a second doesnt make it worse. Sth to do with the fact my first one was huge and second one smaller!
Has anyone with the crepey problem found any miraculous solution yet?!
Does the slendertone do anything for the wrinkly/excess skin?
Is there anyone in the medical profession that knows of a secret amazing shrinking cream - this is whats needed!

Sorry, but once the skin has stretched so the structure is damaged there is nothing you can do short of surgery. It's just basic physics.

If it's crepey, it ain't gonna spring back... That's different to blobby and untoned: those you can do something about though that might make it more crepey...

Ive heard strong pile cream has shrinking properties!
Are you a medical person? do you know?!

If anyone has had the dreaded surgery, let me know your story. Im close to considering it as the father of my 2 beautiful children has recently made me single and my disgusting stomach needs fixing!

I have had a crepey tum for 10 years now. I have tried lots of different lotions including Strivectin HD and Mama Mio's Tummy bootcamp pack. They have all made a small temporary difference but nothing significant that lasts.

I have good muscle tone in my abs but still have a slight separation and no amount of sit ups is going to tighten my slack skin.

I finally went to see a surgeon 10 days ago. I am hoping to have my tummy tuck in mid June and I can't wait.

I have continued to wear a bikini over the last 10 years when we've been on holiday so it hasn't affected my self esteem particularly. I don't mind looking my age (39) but I do mind the fact that my stomach looks double that age at least!

Haha! Oh if only there was a cream/diet/exercise to get rid of stretched skin!! Surgery is the only way I'm afraid

tulpe have you been doing exercises to close your separation?
julie tupler technique
I've closed my separation from 8 finger widths to 3 in 7 weeks so far, and am still working on it

indigo have been using the Tupler method since last year. It definitely made a difference but I have a slight intestinal hernia through my upper abs and the only way my abs will totally go together is by repairing this. Do agree it is an excellent technique - far better than regular sit ups

tulpe sorry to hear this and I am sure your op will go very well, just you take it real easy afterwards though, I'll be jealous

bump

I had PFB in Feb 2010 and understand how you all feel.

My beautiful pre-baby belly (wail and moan)!

Apparently laser treatment can tighten the skin again,but I haven't tried it so can't vouch personally.(am not very crepey,I instead have a balcony of podge from 2 c-sections,lovely).

Yes - there is a laser treatment called Titan (allegedly used by Katie Holmes.....not sure whether that's true or not!).

I considered it but realised that without the muscle repair, the skin may tighten up but my tummy would still have that pregnant look about it.

no solution.

The skin has been strectched, and that´s that.

It´s a bit like a balloon that has been blown up, then deflated. The empty ballon doesn´t look like the one that has never been blown up, does it now! People who used to be overweight have the same problem.

I think that creams and sit ups don´t help. Still, they won´t do any harm either.

If you are a healthy weight, and do some exercise, there isn´t any amount of extra sit-ups or lotions that will make much of a difference.

Maybe try and rejoice in your healthy body.

I am not at all perfect, but I like my body for having allowed me to become a mother, my slightly saggy boobs have breastfed my two babies. I am very glad to be alive and healthy. Count your blessings etc???

I read somewhere that only 3% of women like their body.

We need more Gok Wans!

I had a tummy tuck last week. Had huge twins 5 years ago and got stretched beyond belief. Had hernia etc so after thinking long and hard made decision to do it. Didnt take it lightly at all but still bit of a shock as is big op. One week on and feel ok though stomach is all smooth and flat feels very odd think am in shock.

How much does a tummy tuck even cost these days?

Please tell us more 8oreighty. I'm not even vaguely considering it but my separation of muscles is so bad (hernia etc) and skin so stretched after 3 x 10lb babies I keep the idea in the back of my mind in case DH ever runs off

My aunt had a gastric band fitted and a year on has lots of crepey skin round her stomach, arms and thighs. Skin's lost its elasticity and only surgery to remove and stretch it taut will work.

You know what really does help if your problem is all just excess/stretched skin - MAGIC KNICKERS! M&S light control are excellent.

When I had babyweight to lose (ahem, 3 stone) they were useless and did nothing except make me uncomfortable.also I bulged over the top of them which was an awful look in itself. Since I have been at target weight, if i put these control pants on my tummy goes flat (although I am a size 8, usually my tummy sticks out gently and is rounded/loose due to stretched skin from having 3 dc). The control pants are as good a holding my breath as hard as I can and sucking in. I love them and I will be the one with the flat tummy in the pretty frocks this summer . No spillage over top either. I stress though that they will not hold your tummy flat if you have any weight to lose.