Anyone had a C-section? - body shape after

The Blonde · 30-11-2010, 10:31

I had a c-section with both of my children. I put on loads of weight when pregnant with both. Now i Have a flap of skin that is saggy and dangles where the scar is and am wondering if any else has this and if it's possible to lose. I did constant exercise after my little boy and never lost it, but saying that I fell pregnant with my second child just as my first child turned 1

Swalk · 30-11-2010, 12:18

I had an emergency section just over 5 months ago, and was mortified by this 'overhang' as I call it!
I didnt really put on extra weight during pregnancy just the baby bump!
Mine is slowly going and doesnt hang over so much now!
I have 3 lbs to lose until Im pre-pregnancy weight, which is only down to eating sensibly and swimming. I dont feel my body is ready for the gym just yet though.

A few weeks after birth I started wearing a post natal girdle belt, so not sure if mine disappearing has something to do with wearing that, as this apparently 'gently persuades' abdominal muscles back to where they should be.

I have since discovered 'shapewear' or pull in pants

which will accompany my Christmas party outfits!

jhadley32 · 30-11-2010, 13:10

I had an emergency c-section 13 months ago, I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight but still have my 'overhang', nothing I seem to do will shift it

The Blonde · 30-11-2010, 19:56

I think it's because its dead skin, after my first i slimmed down but still had it. I think mine is scar tissue as I seem to have no feeling in it, I can nip it hard and not feel it. I think the only way to get rid of it would be surgery

medusa · 30-11-2010, 20:15

I have a flap after my hysterectomy too. The doctor told me that the only way to get rid of it (once the extra weight I'm carrying has been lost) would be surgery too.

Sorry.

The Blonde · 30-11-2010, 20:29

Looks like an expensive job then! it's bad too cos mine gets me so down!

Swalk · 30-11-2010, 22:16

I still have loss of feeling around my scar too! Feels very strange!

I think the more you tone your tummy and lose weight around your middle, the less it will 'hang'! Thats what Im hoping anyway.
Although I think you're right that perhaps the only way to get rid of it totally is surgery!

I never had a perfect tum before so mine doesnt bother me so much now, and if it ever does I just look at my little girl

sweetie08 · 01-12-2010, 08:47

i've had 3 c-sections after my first i lost the hangover and went back to my normal weight pre pregnancy and know after 3 c-sections and an ectopic pregnancy i'm finding it really hard to lose my tummy and weight i put alot of weight on after having gestational diabetes in my second pregnancy i wish there was more help for women and advise on how to help after c-sections to get backto a comfortable weight and lose your tummy

The Blonde · 01-12-2010, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetie08

i've had 3 c-sections after my first i lost the hangover and went back to my normal weight pre pregnancy and know after 3 c-sections and an ectopic pregnancy i'm finding it really hard to lose my tummy and weight i put alot of weight on after having gestational diabetes in my second pregnancy i wish there was more help for women and advise on how to help after c-sections to get backto a comfortable weight and lose your tummy

I totally agree! As you have to be careful doing certain things for a while after having the op too!

happyguy · 06-12-2010, 21:05

I had a section 6 months ago, All my other 3 will natural births and after each of them within a few weeks i was back to my regular weight, however as youve all mentioned after my c-section im finding it harder to loose the overhang which does get me down as well, it bulges when i have jeans on and physically makes me feel sick, my stomach around there still has no feeling, and the scar looks like a smiley face, but when i was sorting all this none of this was ever mentioned. they should do more to inform what you can and can not do to help.

The Blonde · 07-12-2010, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyguy

I had a section 6 months ago, All my other 3 will natural births and after each of them within a few weeks i was back to my regular weight, however as youve all mentioned after my c-section im finding it harder to loose the overhang which does get me down as well, it bulges when i have jeans on and physically makes me feel sick, my stomach around there still has no feeling, and the scar looks like a smiley face, but when i was sorting all this none of this was ever mentioned. they should do more to inform what you can and can not do to help.

I feel exactly the same I don't think people understand how it makes us feel. It gets me so down, I am now thinking of surgery, although it's very expensive

and drastic.

Strix · 07-12-2010, 13:16

I probably have less of a problem than most posting here, but I've been using Palmers firming butter, and have noticed that since running out my tummy isn't as 'on the road to recovery' as it had been, so presumably it was working!

The Blonde · 08-12-2010, 12:35

Iv been using boots' own make cocoa butter and find my stretch marks to have faded.

Secret-Eyez · 08-12-2010, 12:42

i think the "Over hang" like many of you mention is normal.
I had a C-Section with my daughter and shes 14 months now. My hang is still there but nothing like it was in the beginning. Give it time ladies and it will settle itself down. If the buldging bothers you just wear the firming pants you can buy.
Yes ok they arnt very sexy to look at, and look like belly warmers, but in this weather cant complain at that!! lol
I found that because of my tummy ive had to change the style of trousers i wear in order to make me "Feel good". Rather than trying to wear your pre-pregnancy trousers and getting upset coz they dont look as good as they did, Treat yourself to Joggers or even those Jeanie-Pant things!..it definately opened my eyes to different clothing styles and now im just comfortable with who I am and what i look like..
I'm a mummy and this is my "mummy shape". But even us mummys can look good y'know!

Strix · 09-12-2010, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by new2you

Iv been using boots' own make cocoa butter and find my stretch marks to have faded.

When I ran out of the firming butter I used the moisturising version from the same range, but that's just proved the firming butter actually works

helenf · 31-01-2011, 14:54

i had a c section 3 and a half years ago and i still have a saggy tummy.i watch what i eat and run when i can.i am slim everywhere else.i think surgery is the only answer if you want a flat toned tummy.
I am happy with what i have,i look at it as a part of my life that i am proud of,having my gorgeous boy

monkeymadam · 13-02-2011, 19:04

I had a c-section 6 years ago. I still have the overhang. You always seem to have a a little tummy just above the scar. Think it's just part of a c-section that will remain forever. I call my little tim and few stretch marks my war wounds.

RozeePozee · 14-02-2011, 17:13

I've had two c-sections. The first time there was very little overhang once I was back to my pre baby weight but my last pregnancy was twins and there's a definate bulge of loose skin over the scar and nothing is quite as taut or toned as it once was. I was expecting the twin pregnancy to have a major effect on my body and it isn't as bad as I expected. I was well over 12 stone just before the babies were born (the size of a house) and am now under 8 stone, so I've lost loads of weight but skin just gets stretched beyond its limit. Ten months post birth, things are definately improving. I'm not using any creams, I think skin just recovers naturally with time, although maybe it would be quicker if I did. I can fit back into my old clothes, in fact they are baggy - running round after 3 kids is a great way to keep fit!

I'm sure breastfeeding has made a big difference to sucking me back into shape. http://www.thinkbaby.co.uk/breast-an...pains/447.html I could feel myself being sucked back in every time I breast fed as recently as a couple of months ago.

joarch · 15-02-2011, 15:54

A relief to hear this is normal. I too have an overhang after an emergency c section. Thought it might be down to it being done in such a rush. Agree they should advise of this after effect before so you are prepared... no post 'c' celebs seem to have them in bikini shoots! Mine is getting smaller 4 months later but I wonder if further surgery is the only answer.

selphie · 23-02-2011, 20:30

I had a C section nearly 11 years ago. My weight has gone up and down since then and I do notice the difference around my scar. When I am being plump I have a bit of an overhang but when I am slim I just have a weird shape about me. It's almost as if the skin is being pulled tight (where my scar is) and there's a bit of a bulge over the top. I also have just about no feeling at all 2 inches around my scar. I'm very self conscious about it. It's more of a lip than a bulge I think. To top it off, I had my appendix out a few years ago and now I have the same thing there too!!