weight loss after caesarian

[Vmama]

hello

I had DS by emergency caesarian 2 and 1/2 weeks ago and am breastfeeding him (with some difficulty!)

I have lost about 1 and 1/2 stone since the birth but put on 3 during pregnancy and the weight loss seems to have plateaued now. Can anyone tell me their experiences -how long did it take you to lose weight/tummy? How soon can you start exercising and how much difference did this make?

At the moment all I'm doing is getting out with the pram for the occasional hour.
I used to be fit and active before getting pregnant and love swimming so am looking forward to getting back to the gym asap but don't want to push it and ruin my recovery.

I'm aiming to be back in shape by my 30th birthday in October -is this realistic?

Hi there and congratulations! Don't know if this will make you feel better or worse - but just remember everyone is different so I can only give you my own personal experience! I too had an emergency CS, and put on 3 stone whilst pregnant with DS and lost 1 and a half stone almost immediately after birth (ooh and my birthday is in October. Infact, are you me?!). However, much to my upset, despite being as active as I could be (and you really should still be taking it easy so soon, as it seems you are - don't try to do too much as you will regret it) I did not lose another pound until I stopped BF him when I started him on solids at 6 months old (which selfishly, I have to admit was a big factor in stopping when I did as not being able to shift the weight was just making me miserable, . I know a lot of people say the complete opposite about BF, but like I say, everyone is different. If you are, however, one of those people that lose lots of weight through BF, another good reason for sticking at it!). I digress - The good news, however, is that since then, the weight has slowly but surely started to go (which is the best way for keeping it off IMO) and now he is 8.5 months and I have lost a stone and am now only about half a stone away from being back to my pre-pregnancy weight, without going on a diet or madly exercising and achieve a weight loss of 1 or 2 lb per week. I am sure you could do it a lot faster if you are inclined to up the diet/exercise regime, but I am not as I wanted to try to do it through normal eating and exercising in the hope that the weight would also stay off if lost slowly. (Plus I am just no good at dieting!!). Stomach muscles obviously take longer to ping back when someone has taken a huge slice through them, but the good news is, they do eventually! HTH. Make the most of your recovery time too!

I had em c-section almost 2 years ago. I put on 2 stone during pregnancy and lost most of it immediately. The other half stone came off over the next year (BF for 9 months). I didn't do much exercise though (was poorly for ages because of complications).

That said, although I weigh less now than when I became pregant, I'm a completely different shape, some pre-pregnancy clothes don't fit me and I have an extra stomach above the scar!. I don't worry too much though, I'm fit and healthy and have wonderful DS.

Oh yes, and I would echo what GTFrau says, take it easy, you've had a major operation.

I found that even though I ate loads whilst breastfeeding, I still lost weight (gradually). Take your time and don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Absolutely Clarinsgirl! They are worth every ounce, scar, wobbly bit and bits that weren't there before or are now positioned somewhere slightly different! . You do change, mentally as well as physically - somethings for the better, some not and some just different! Oh, and you become very philosophical too!