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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

C-section tummy - when does it go away?

54 replies

Gem13 · 19/05/2004 12:21

I had a c-section 13 weeks ago (non emergency) and still have a numb stomach that isn't flabby but just pregnant looking (about 3 or 4 months). Whereas after DS nearly 2 years ago (not a c-section) my stomach was pretty much back to normal within a week.

I know people say it's because of having 2 children but I'm sure it must be due to the section. I'm still stuffing my face (breastfeeding you understand ) and DD was lighter than DS so I presume it's still in shock.

It would be nice to fit into some clothes. The problem is my old ones are too tight and the ones that just fit make my tummy ache.

Anyone had this experience?

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 20/05/2004 10:13

20 months for me too and no sign of flabby overhang going

meysey · 20/05/2004 10:32

it's just post-baby bleargh... I have had two with no c-section and have a lovely parcel shelf...

I am sure things will improve with time gem13, it just takes longer second time round. (first time I got every tummy bug going, dreadful but the weight went!)

am desperately doing sit-ups as we are going on holiday soon (am 13 weeks pp too) and I have to get into some swimwear.. DH suggested I also do the exercise that tackles the bottom part of the stomach, so hopefully the flab will get eaten away from two ends. cutting down on the chocolate is tough. also I think things only really get back to normal when you stop breastfeeding. lets face it, most celebs don't breastfeed, they just chuck the babies at nannies so they can get to the gym.

ChicPea · 20/05/2004 10:48

Katierocket, I think expressing five times a day is really akin to liposuction through the breasts!!!!!!! It works wonders

ChicPea · 20/05/2004 11:03

This will get anybody slim:
Breakfast: filter coffe and spray cream 2-3 cups
Lunch: can do the above if feeling peckish but 1 cup only
Mid afternoon: same as lunch or diet coke. If needing to eat something, don't have the coffee and eat steamed or raw veg only. Can use salt and ketchup if needed on steamed veg. Balsamic vinegar on raw veg if needed or lemon juice. Or could do soup, something like Carrot & Coriander from M & S is good as not high in calories. NO bread to go with soup.
Supper: Now you can have 2 glasses of dry wine !A piece of lean fish/meat or poultry. (Last night I had 300g fillet steak). Plenty of steamed veg (no butter/oil/sauce) and or salad (no dressing). Fruit for pudding(no cream). Can put salt on food.
Drink as much water as you like throughout the day.
NO NO's: Bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, cheese.
This is a low sugar diet and you are probably all shocked at the day's intake but I am slim (8.2), healthy (never get colds) and feel energetic and strong. I allow myself chocolate once a week and enjoy it without worrying about expanding and eat a proper pudding once or twice a week.
Re: celebs, believe it or not, there is the trend to breastfeed and yes they do have nannies who then care for the babies, but they are under serious media pressure to get back to shape with or without the help of a personal trainer.

sykes · 20/05/2004 11:35

Chickpea, isn't that a SERIOUSLY unhealthy diet? You don't live on that do you?

oliveoil · 20/05/2004 11:42

9 months on, 9 months off was my mantra but it didn;t really work as I was so used to eating loads when breastfeeding, that I carried on pigging out when I had stopped and put weight on. Cutting down on crap works for me (ie choc, cakes, crisps etc).

That diet would make me want to die ChicPea, where's the fun

sykes · 20/05/2004 11:43

Sory, I'm intrigued - was it a joke? And why add salt to a desperately unhealhty diet? The calorie intake must be about 500 calories a day - surely it's not possible to live on that for any length of time?

noddy5 · 20/05/2004 11:46

I think chicpea is joking!Aren't you?

noddy5 · 20/05/2004 11:47

sorry sykes our messages must have crossed!

bluesky · 20/05/2004 14:18

I hope no-one does chicpea's diet and then breastfeeds their baby, and expects to provide it with nourishment.

issywoo · 20/05/2004 16:36

i've had 2 sections and am now 11 weeks post partum. my tummy looks hideous with a big dip where my muscles should be. the obs physio says she can get 3 fingers between mine and it was due to me being narrow an small and having an 8lb13oz baby. she's given me exercises to do which i do when i can but so far theres been no change. i have lost 2 stone with another stone to go. been doing weight watchers for the last 2 weeks and am now losing about a lb a week. am off on hols in 3 weeks time with NOTHING to wear - not looking forward to suck my tummy in everytime i get up!
my figure, although bad, doesn't seem to be worse after this section - for me the first one did the most damage and i retained my weight for longer (8 months).my obs said only a tummy tuck would sort me out as they stitch the muscles together and cut the overhang off. shame they can't do that during the c-section!

bluebear · 20/05/2004 17:08

For some strange reason my c-section overhang has looked a lot better since I had another baby (not a section this time)..don't know if everything else stretched or what..am obviously don't think having another baby is a good way to get a flat stomach...but that's what has happened!

sarochka · 20/05/2004 19:09

I have a rather attractive scrunchie type belly overhang - that I was not prepared for. Some of these stories have made me giggle - I needed it
Anyway am ttc at the moment but willing the belly to not get any bigger. I used to look great in skirts and stuff not any more. Do exercise every day too. dd now 2 and a bit. must resign self. Mmn scar discussions are always fascinating too - musn't start here...

suzywong · 20/05/2004 19:17

ChicPea,
are you one of the aforementioned Celebs?

ChicPea · 20/05/2004 19:51

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No, but I place nannies and maternity nurses, etc with lots of them so get taken into their confidence.

suzywong · 20/05/2004 19:54

Sorry, no offence, it's just that there was a rumour Liz Hurley was a MNer and I was just wondering ...... are you north London by any chance?

motherinferior · 20/05/2004 20:04

Chicpea, that diet - you say 'if you need to eat something' by mid afternoon. What about people who get starving by 9am if they haven't had any breakfast? Seriously?

EvanMom · 20/05/2004 20:12

I had 2 C-Sections - first emergency under GA (yuk). I have b/f ds2 for 9 months and he was always on the breast. I lost loads and loads of weight simply by b/f and have actually dropped a skirt size; last weekend I bought my first size 10 skirt in years. I think I look fab. Take the skirt off and I have a fantastic flabby but numb overhang underneath (nice). It is completely clear, it ain't ever gonna go as I don't think it is possible for me to lose any more weight!!! (oh, and I can't quite see how exercise will help.... precisely which muscles would I be toning in that overhang??... there are none, I'm sure)

alamel · 20/05/2004 22:13

Meysey, what is the exercise you refer to which tackles the bottom part of the stomach? I thought sit-ups were supposed to do that? (if they don't, I won't bother with them - good excuse to postpone exercise further!)

ChicPea · 20/05/2004 22:39

I didn't realise that my diet "the ChicPea Programme" would cause such a sensation. Sykes, its not a joke and I don't live on 500 calories a day. For example, tonight I ate 4 Waitrose Gluten Free sausages, generous portion of steamed broccoli and cauliflower (no butter/oil/sauce), a nice dollop of ketchup washed down with a glass of Warre's Otima Tawny Port. This really is yummy. Sausages are 121 cals each so maybe my supper was 600-700 cals alone. And Sykes, I got pregnant on this regime - twice. And OliveOil, the fun is in feeling strong, vital and wearing size 8-10 clothes and NOT starving myself. Protein feeds the body and takes away the hunger. And bluesky I do see your point but I produced a lot of Cornish cream coloured milk on this Programme, I only stopped because I was a 32J yes J (normally 32D) and I was uncomfortable being that size and quite frankly had had enough. SuzyWong, I'm in Hampstead. MotherInferior, believe me coffee and aerosol cream is filling, feels like a treat and is delicious. Starbucks do a great "Black Americano with Whip" and when they are stingey with the "Whip", I ask them if they could possibly add some more as it's my lunch. They giggle and pile it on but I know they don't, like you, believe me! MotherInferior, if you really want to eat say at 1pm, have steamed veg but no butter/oil/sauce (ketchup allowed). If you must eat at 9am, egg white omelette with spinach and tomato and I guarantee you will not feel hungry for HOURS, but no bread with omelette. Can have 3 egg whites.
Well, MNer's I hope I have clarified things now. You are all welcome to meet me to see that I am a) balanced and b) healthy. We could meet in Starbucks.....!

sarochka · 20/05/2004 22:47

wow you must be so discplined. Do you have to look good for your job as well? As the celebs I mean. Teaching MFL like me does not really require much glamour although I insist on clinique make up and unusual jewellery!! how long does it take to make an egg white omelette in the morning anyway ?

suzywong · 20/05/2004 23:01

I think ChicPea wins the Mn prize for the most succint answer to the most number of questions in one post
I'm in N6 ChickPea, btw

ChicPea · 20/05/2004 23:03

Hi Sarochka! After last posting, I just emailed two MNers about meeting up; am doing tomorrow and next Thursday I think. You can email them afterwards to enquire if I am normal.
The recruitment that I do is telephone based so no meeting clients.
What's an MFL?
Right, egg white omelette takes 10 mins only. Switch on grill. Track down 1 calorie spray, spray 10 times to use an an oil and while cooking one side, add steamed spinach and tomato. When you are sure omelette is cooked on underside, pop pan under hot grill to save turning to cook topside. It's delicious.

Tinker · 20/05/2004 23:24

Sounds a very Atkinsy diet. It was found that the high protein in that is the key to its success - protein fills you up.

ChicPea · 20/05/2004 23:30

Yes it is similar in that it advocates protein but the Atkins diet promoted fry ups, cheese and up to 20 grams of veg per day. I disagree with that. Atkins wouldn't allow ketchup and Port I think.