C-section belly- did yours go away?

weemes01 · February 2013

Hi everyone, I'm just beginning my weight loss journey (20 days) and I'm wondering what to expect of my skin and belly.

I had 2 children 2 years apart and c-sections with both. My recent son was 10 pounds 7 oz and with that and polyhydraminos (3 times the amniotic fluid) my skin got stretched to the extreme. I have the c-section "apron" in a bad way. Above my incision my belly fat hangs over. I'm wondering for those of you that had the same thing and were able to loose weight what happens to this? Does the fat shrink away but the skin still hang over? Does the skin ever tighten up? Please be honest, don't sugar coat it for me.

Swmartz · February 2013

I have three children all c-section delivery. Unfortunately, in my case at least, I still have the bulge of skin from the c section scar tissue. It has gotten better over the years (my youngest is 4), but no matter what I do I can't seem to get rid of it completely. Soory

eemorton · February 2013

I had a c-section with my twins almost 6 years ago and had a VBAC 3 years ago. I have lost 62 lbs over the last 14 months, 20 more to go, and while my stomach has gone waaaay down, the little skin flap is still there. I don't know if the last 20 pounds will make the difference but I hope so. I am not willing to do surgery to get rid of it. My weight has been so up and down that I am pretty sure the skin has been stretched to the max and is here to stay.

tacormier · February 2013

It might shrink a bit when you lose weight. It really depends on how bad it is and if your skin is wrinkly from stretching. Mine never went away (it did shrink a bit when I lost weight). I had a tummy tuck to get rid of it.

runningmama86 · February 2013

I had 2 c-sections 2 years apart too and my "apron" is shrinking A LOT and I am hoping and praying it will go away pretty much completely. My mom had 2 c-sections as well and waited almost 20 years to lose the weight she gained (70+ lbs) and she totally lost her flap of skin. So it can happen! Fingers crossed it happens for us too, lol!

Alyssah09 · February 2013

I have had one C section and having another in July, but my apron has always been there. I asked my Dr and he said even if I got down to 130s I would still have it and the only way to get rid of it would be plastic surgery. Sorry sweetie. But it DOES shrink

jennymendiola · February 2013

Two csections, 2.5 years apart. I have lost 55lbs, and the flap is still there. It shrunk ALOT, but it is still there. I am only ten pounds away from my goal, so I guess I need to start trying to tone that area.

jbaca9602 · February 2013

I've been up and down with weight since having my son... and for a while I focused specifically on the tummy. I got it to where it didn't "hang over" when I was standing, but it was never flat. I have a friend who was tiny her whole life and is still a size 8 after her 3 c-sections, and still has a bit of skin leftover despite doing p90x after each kid. She's mostly toned and has a great body, but finally admitted to herself that the extra skin won't go away without surgery.

curejenn · February 2013

Well, I cant fully answer this question because I have only lost 9 lbs or so, with a goal of around 37 to lose! So my tummy is definitely still there. But, I can tell you that since I started MFP in the middle of January and really started to work out, my C section flap has shrunk considerably! I am honestly shocked at how quickly it happened. My daughter is 2.5 years so I have been carrying around that for a while!! I have seen women on here (and am friends with one of whom I speak!) who have incredible stomachs and they have had C sections! I think a lot of it is weight training.

sarantonio · February 2013

Seriously, don't worry about this... When I decided not to worry, I started losing lots of weight, my ticker says 15, its really 40, you know what? Its a block, we think "why try? I'm screwed!" or "It'll look really gross when I'm skinny" NOT TRUE! Mine has shrunk A TON, seriously, I probably could have carried a billfold in there, and now it won't hold a pen. I have SEVERE sketchmarks, from bottom of my ribcage to tops of my thighs, and they are starting to wrinkle up, but a wrinkly small belly is sexier than a fat smooth one any day. Be proud of your body, you GREW PEOPLE! How friggen cool is THAT?!?! If you have a little leftover flap, buy higher bikini bottoms, I promise, it'll look better and better the more weight you lose. :flowerforyou:

RANT OVER:blushing:

monacienta · February 2013

Hi,

I love this community. What exercises have you done to shrink it somewhat? I had two C-sections.

sarantonio · February 2013

Hi,

I love this community. What exercises have you done to shrink it somewhat? I had two C-sections.

Who are you talking to?

Richardson62617 · February 2013

I have alot to lose now but after my first c-section I was only 127 pounds and mine never went away either now after second c-section and have gained alot of weight and tryin to lose it mines aweful now but if I can just get small again that will be good enough for me

bgardiner49 · February 2013

Well, I cant fully answer this question because I have only lost 9 lbs or so, with a goal of around 37 to lose! So my tummy is definitely still there. But, I can tell you that since I started MFP in the middle of January and really started to work out, my C section flap has shrunk considerably! I am honestly shocked at how quickly it happened. My daughter is 2.5 years so I have been carrying around that for a while!! I have seen women on here (and am friends with one of whom I speak!) who have incredible stomachs and they have had C sections! I think a lot of it is weight training.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone what kind of training is most effective (I have had two Caesarians 14 and 11 years ago, and am only now getting around to losing the weight!).

Like @sarantoio I do think of my scar as a bit of a badge of honour - two wonderful healthy daughters definitely make up for it! (But I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't care for a flat tummy too!)

AVanCuren09 · February 2013

My "apron" is gone! I have lost almost 70 lbs since having my son, but i use the it works body wraps. Its cheaper than surgery and also fades stretch marks

I suggest using them, if you are truly concerned about never losing the "flap" (as I call it) haha

weemes01 · February 2013

Thanks everyone for the replies. I guess I'll have to learn to love the apron. Like many of you though, I'm going to work to shrink it as much as possible.

I'd like to hear if anyone has done any belly exercises that have helped or is it mostly cardio? It can be hard to use the lower ab muscles.

Well, I cant fully answer this question because I have only lost 9 lbs or so, with a goal of around 37 to lose! So my tummy is definitely still there. But, I can tell you that since I started MFP in the middle of January and really started to work out, my C section flap has shrunk considerably! I am honestly shocked at how quickly it happened. My daughter is 2.5 years so I have been carrying around that for a while!! I have seen women on here (and am friends with one of whom I speak!) who have incredible stomachs and they have had C sections! I think a lot of it is weight training.

This is really inspiring to me, thanks! I just started and have lost about 7 lbs and can't tell a difference what so ever. I think maybe I'll try taking some before photos now.

weemes01 · February 2013

My "apron" is gone! I have lost almost 70 lbs since having my son, but i use the it works body wraps. Its cheaper than surgery and also fades stretch marks I suggest using them, if you are truly concerned about never losing the "flap" (as I call it) haha

What kind of body wrap? I'm confused?

Improvised · February 2013

you GREW PEOPLE! How friggen cool is THAT?!?!

THIS. Not hating or judging people who choose to go the surgery route, but we're crazy if we expect women to have perfect bodies after having babies, ya know? I'm going to diet and exercise, and whatever is left, is what's left.

AVanCuren09 · February 2013

Lol they are called "it works" body wraps. Definitely worth a try once you get to your gw

AmazonRDH · February 2013

i've had two boys, both c-section, one was 10.2 one was 7.11

i had a tummy tuck a year and a half ago. although the skin didn't necessarily "hang," i had a lil pooch. the tummy tuck was fabulous, everyone hates my flat belly :laugh:

vmekash · February 2013

Two c-sections, but I didn't make a real effort until 16 years after my last c-section; my kids are 20 and 16. So, my skin has been stretched pretty well for nearly two decades. I just don't know if there is hope for skin stretched for that long. But I am working on it. Not a fan of unnecessary surgery (yes, I am a hypocrite -- had lasik and have no regrets), so I will just keep working my abs. I hope what I don't like does eventually flatten out, but I am not counting on it after all these years.

I don't care about the scar. Mine, though light, is rather long, I think, but it does not bother me.

nik2710 · February 2013

I have had 2 c-sections. Last one was in 2008. The one before was 2007. I have only got another 6 lbs to lose. My apron has actually home down and skin tightened. This is because I am doing the 30 day shred. I also got an hernia whilst pregnant, so know it will never be flat but its not hanging.

VpinkLotus · February 2013

@nik2710 I have thinking of trying the 30 day shred for mine, do you love it?

joyzeejay · February 2013

I had one c-section 13 years ago. I had a poochy tummy and the fat "apron". But, it's all gone (see profile pic). Nothing hangs. I found that the "hanging apron" was the last thing to go. And it's extra fat that keeps it hanging (even if it's a thin layer of fat). As the fat left, so did the hang.

Heavy (for me) weights and running have been the thing for me.

WendyTerry420 · February 2013

In the bath tub the other night, I was really noticing the difference in my belly. I still have a long way to go, and I have lost more in my thighs than anywhere else, but it's gradually shrinking. My belly is the only part of my body that I can honestly say I hate. But I have lost 5 inches in my belly and went from a size 24 to a 20. In fact, I found a pair of size 18 "mom jeans" with the elastic band, and I was able to slip them on. But I still had a muffin top, so I will have to lose a little more before I wear them in public.

Maintain a reasonable calorie deficit and have patience. :flowerforyou:

Crochetluvr · February 2013

I had a C-section, then a VBAC. Even when I lost weight after my C, I still had the flap. And I still have it today. That's not to say you can't lose yours but I never did. And at my age now, I probably never will.

zephtalah · February 2013

I have 7 children. I had a c-section for Baby B of my twins. Baby A was a quick vaginal birth, but Baby B decided to do his own thing. I still have extra skin and some pooch left over, but it is hugely improved. I need to redo the 30 day shred. I had good results with it the first time. As you can see my stomach is not super small, but comparetively much better.

VpinkLotus · February 2013

Wow @zephtalah - Awesome.

davessweets · February 2013

I had a C-Section 8 and a half years ago. Mine isn't gone but in the past few months I have been pushing the crunches ( reverse, frog leg, regular ect) and also planking it seems to be helping slowly. Going to take alot of work but it will get there

nataliefamily3 · February 2013

I had a c section september 2010 m stomach is pretty much flat now. I started with jillian dvds then moved to kickboxing and tae bo mixed with some free weights. Feel free to check out my profile or add me

deanabailey · February 2013

I had a c section in 2010. Mine went away, the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy. It wasn't until I started working out that it actually tightened up. Slowly ease into working out and watch your carbs. Congratulations!

C-section belly- did yours go away?

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