Has anyone successfully beaten the post c section belly flop?

[puds11]

I’m wondering how realistic it is to be able to get rid of the belly overhang from my c section and what the best exercise is to do this.

I was about 1.5 stone overweight before I had baby, I have now lost 2.5 stone, have about 0.5 to go, but overhang doesn’t seem to be tightening up yet. I’m 5 months post section.

Any advice or words of wisdom?

[ShinyGiratina]

I gained 4.5 stones while pregnant after a low of 8.5st by the end of the nausea phase. Much of that was a gigantic bump. I had an EMCS after two hours of pushing, and neither baby nor I were in great condition at that point. From the state of my abdomen, fine stitching probably wasn't high on the surgeon's list of priorities, not helped by an excess of crinkly, saggy skin from the ridiculous amount of stretching my skin went through.

I lost all the baby weight after both pregnancies, but I always have been bigger on the waist since, and the less weight I have, the sadder and more droopy it looks. It seems to gain weight easily too.

I suspect surgery would be the only solution for me. I've just never been fully convinced that I can be bothered with the cost, risk and recovery.

[managedmis]

The two people who posted pics, how much do you weigh? You obviously have really low body fat.

[BackToBackTheyFaced]

Yes my scar is very low compared to other people’s and it was pulled very tight.

[puds11]

It’s almost as if they stitch you up too tight so it pulls in. I think it’ll be a long process before I can see for sure how it looks, whether it’s loose skin or just fat. This is my second baby and I was a bit chubby when I got pregnant so I am expecting some loose skin.

I have no idea how my boobs will be after two lots of breast feeding!

[EyeDrops]

I'm going to agree with it must be how they stitch you up. I'm a size 10 with a wobbly tum and wrinkly skin (can't do clingy clothes at all!!) but I don't have a noticeable overhang. 12m post partum now, but there's never been much overhang, and that's certainly not down to me doing anything much about it!

[Lucked]

I think this means different things to different people, some people genuinely have flabby skin which can’t be improved with diet or exercise. Some people have a combination of increased belly fat and poor core and can probably expect some improvement by tackling these issues.

I have damaged very wrinkly skin from stretch marks but my aim is to get my BMI down to around 21 (currently 23 and I should state BMI works for me) and work on my core to basically improve the appearance as much as possible but the skin is never going to look pretty.

[rhowton]

I have my tummy tuck in 3 weeks time. Also, getting my boobs lifted and reduced. It is costing serious money so I'm getting a loan! Second kids make it so much worse!

[MummyOfBoyAndGirl]

Watching

[wanilamorty]

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'm impressed you started at 6 weeks! Got some catching up to do....

@BackToBackTheyFaced I'm sure it's to do with how they stitch you up. I was in good shape before pregnancy, didn't put on much weight during, and lost it all v quickly after. I weigh less now than I did before getting pregnant. Still have an overhang! I'm learning to wear it with pride tho, esp since so many women are in the same club.

[BackToBackTheyFaced]

So quite a lot of these people didn’t have an overhang I do think it’s down to how they stitch you up they didn’t do a very good job of mine! I have found that as I have lost weight although the overhang is still there it is much less noticeable.

[puds11]

That’s fine @wanilamorty, ask away! I’ve been doing wound massage since about 6 weeks after but I have stopped doing it every day. Do intend to start doing every day again! I put a large amount of moisturiser on and massage in small circles across, above and below the scar. I apply quite a firm pressure as it’s to help break up scar tissue within as well as surface scar tissue. I believe there are some YouTube videos on it as well.

[wanilamorty]

Those that have done massage on your scars, can I ask what you do? Is it literally just rubbing the skin, or is there anything more specific? And how long/often do you do it? I’m 12 months post c sec and although I healed well my scar is super tight. I hate touching that area because it reminds me of what was a really grim birth (crash c sec, GA, baby in NICU, the lot), but I also wonder if I can loosen the scar a bit I might feel better about it.

Sorry to hijack! And just to join the club, I too have the belly flop!

[PatricksRum]

Yes. As soon as I gave birth my stomach was practically flat. Weirdly

[puds11]

Thank you for your responses. I think I need to give it a bit more time and hope for the best!

[Northernsoullover]

If it makes you feel better OP I have an overhang and I didn't have a CS. I'm a size 10 and I have a flat stomach from Pilates, well I say flat apart from that annoying protrusion.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I've had 2 c-sections, 3 babies and I have a flat (ish) stomach if my waist band is up to my midriff like the photo above. I have a very tight scar line though which does give me the little overhang. Since losing weight I have very little actual fat on my stomach but a lot of loose skin which I hate. After Christmas I am beginning a course of collagen lift treatments which will hopefully tighten the skin up a bit. I've seen other people's independent results and the effect seems good for the money, but I have to admit I'm a bit sceptical, but I would never be able to afford surgery.

I've been quoted £500 for a course of collagen, dermabrasion and endomology, which (apparently) will last up to 2 years. I've worked so hard to lose the weight and to keep it off but the little tummy overhang just will not go!

[MadameF]

I'm 54, had 2 CS and have a flat tummy. I didn't put on much weight with either pregnancy and am now very fit (I'm a runner), low end BMI and can wear a bikini without feeling embarrassed. Don't lose hope OP

[Isthisridix]

I don’t have it, but my weight is very low, just within healthy BMI, which I know isn’t great, but I think is the key to beating the overhang.

[Casander]

@3drawercinemaclub I don't know if I hate you or I want to be you

I have had 3 sections and although I don't have overhang I do have crinkly skin and my belly button is a bit weird. I had a large lower stomach tattoo done though and that hides the crinkly skin quite well I can't afford a tummy tuck

[Rainbowhairdontcare]

I did it took me 9 months of running and daily ab workouts

[AnneLovesGilbert]

See how it changes over the next 6 months OP, it might be a lot just by itself as things continue to settle down.

People must think I have shares as I bang on about them all the time but I found using silicon strips on my scar helped the sensation and appearance a lot. You put them on for longer each day and my scar, which started out really red, angry, bumpy, no sensation above and sore below has faded beautifully, softened, much flatter/smoother and all sensations now completely normal. I still can’t bring myself to properly massage it but I know that helps and I’ll get on board with it eventually. The lack of numbness and soreness has made a huge difference to how I feel about it being there.

[eurochick]

I asked my consultant about the flap. He said it was down to the skill of the surgeon and how they stitch you back up. I don't have one but it's pretty common.

[smemorata]

I don't have a flap as such but a rounder stomach overall. So mine did go when I lost the pregnancy weight. I'm not losing anymore as I don't want it to come back if it's not "supported" underneath!!

[Her0utdoors]

I didn't have one after I lost the pregnancy weight after my first (age 37, gained about 4 stone).
I 100% do after having my second (now 42, still 4 stone over weight compared to conception). It huge a wobbly!
But, I have done quite a lot of scar massage on it this time round and it has released the tucking in of the scar massively, and relieved some of the discomfort and pain too.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

Mine has changed loads the last few months and DD is 9 months now, no particular exercises or weight loss but it’s just kept going down by itself. The pouch bit has gone completely and no loose skin but if I bend over there’s a curve above the scar (hip to hip) that’s not going to go. You can’t tell at all in clothes and naked it’s not as flat as before I had her but not overhanging or paunchy. I’m a bit lighter than before I got pregnant from feeding and walking a lot.