can you ever lose the csection "shelf" roll of fat?

AnahitaCanDoIt
AnahitaCanDoIt Posts: 448
edited October 24 in Fitness and Exercise
If so, how? I have had three abdominal surgeries (appendix, csection, abdom hysterectomy) so I have like zero core ...an excuse, the reason I don't have them is the **** diet and no training, but now I'm doing as much as I can and I'm having great success getting stronger and a bit smaller and less flabby everywhere else except there and the whole way up from the belly button...I've also been diagnosed with IBS which I hear can make it hard to lose the abdominal gut fat. It's like when I do planks, the center of my tummy hangs down...it's a lot of excess skin, too, from multiple weight losses and pregnancy...

but...enough *****ing and moaning... I can take control....How do you lose that shelf ... I know it's mostly diet and you can't spot reduce fat/big areas, but there must be something I can do...I'm doing 3 days heavy beach boot camp and 2 days heavy personal training a week plus occasional hot yoga... how do I lose the csection shelf?

Replies

  • SDehmer819
    SDehmer819 Posts: 441 Member
    I want to know too! And I don't want to hear its food. LoL I have trouble not eating junk.
  • TMcChamp
    TMcChamp Posts: 165 Member
    Anyone?!?!?
  • xxxkrystlexxx
    xxxkrystlexxx Posts: 18
    I'd also like to know this!
  • mazdauk
    mazdauk Posts: 1,380 Member
    There's quite a few threads on the success area of those who have made their tummies flat. I've still got a droopy bit there - it floats in the bath, which is interesting!! - I'm hoping eventually it will tighten up as everything above it tightens up, but I guess no-one is going to invite me to model for Playboy any time soon:grumble: :laugh:
  • sam45890
    sam45890 Posts: 43 Member
    I also have this problem, am really hoping after another year of keeping my weight stable it will be a little better. I do a lot of core strengthening and am definitely stronger, unfortunately it doesn't look much better..
  • corinnelapolt
    corinnelapolt Posts: 57
    I also had a c-section - almost 13 years ago. In the last year I started going to Pilates and I can do things today that I have never been able to do, effortlessly. I'm told that it's a dual approach, core training (like Pilates) and fat loss (diet). Don't forget the impact of drinking enough water!
  • sunglasses_and_ocean_waves
    sunglasses_and_ocean_waves Posts: 2,757 Member
    In my experience, not entirely. I have decent abs. I love working them, and I can see a 4 pack, but the area around/below the navel, will just never be flat again. It could be that I waited too many years to work on that after having kids, or it could be that the damage was too severe. I am still numb around my c-section scar. But it's not enough that I need spanx or anything like that. I've worn bikinis, but not tiny ones. I'll do a mid rise bottom or really now I prefer boy short bottoms because I think they're cuter.
  • sam45890
    sam45890 Posts: 43 Member
    Yes, I also have a 4 pack but south of the belly button is a different story. I was very overweight for about 6 years and also still have numb areas, I think the combined damage is too much for my skin to tighten..
  • bbzgrl110
    bbzgrl110 Posts: 45 Member
    I would love to know the answer to this. I've had 3 c-sections, a tubal-ligation, and a hysterectomy. I also have IBS, and degenerative disc disease in my lower back. I've heard that working my core with help with the disc issue also. Even if I never have a "flat" belly again, I would love to be able to tone it up more than it is.
  • madamchoochoo
    madamchoochoo Posts: 36 Member
    Honestly... im not sure anything except from surgery would shift it totally. I had a c-section 7 years ago and have done pilates religiously for 2 years, my core is really strong and i've got almost emerging abs, but STILL i have the shelf - albeit its only tiny but the reality is in my opinion that unless i get to a point where i have insanely low body fat its not going to go as the area is rigid from the stiches. If i stand upright it goes but as its rigid it appears when i sit down, almost like the skin hangs over where the scar is? Hope that makes sense?
  • Julieanna269
    Julieanna269 Posts: 33 Member
    I agree with all of you , I have the same issue, but I think its a skin thing. I don't think it will matter how hard you work out or how much weight you lose I think the skin around this area has taken too much damage with the operations for it to every shrink back entirely. But I'm hoping that if I concentrate on my core and improve my muscle tone I can make it look a lot less obtrusive.... and good 'control' pants help!
  • pacsqueen
    pacsqueen Posts: 88
    And I thought I was the only one with this issue!! If nothing else, this string makes me not feel like I'm the only one!! Thanks so much and here's hoping for a "cure"!!!
  • caramelgyrlk
    caramelgyrlk Posts: 1,112 Member
    I will keep checking this post for answers, as I have the same issue.

    My gyn and PCP told me plastic surgery was my only option because the skin is just too loose.
  • TriLifter
    TriLifter Posts: 1,283 Member
    <== 90% diet, 10% exercise. Abs are all about what you put into your body. I had a c-section 3 years ago, but lost the belly in a matter of weeks.
  • ks4e
    ks4e Posts: 374 Member
    I know 2 moms who were able to get down to a flat, tight belly after having 2 c-sections. One worked her butt off, ate clean, etc. and another lost the weight naturally and didn't have a lot of abdominal fat to begin with. It's possible!
  • lauren3382
    lauren3382 Posts: 372 Member
    In my experience, not completely. I had two c-sections and lost all the baby weight after both kids, but it has not entirely gone away and I suspect it won't. However, weight lifting has helped quite a bit, along with a fairly clean diet. I have an ab progress pic in my profile if anyone is interested. It doesn't show the c-section scar, but I'm pretty pleased with how far I've come above the scar line!!
  • sam45890
    sam45890 Posts: 43 Member
    It is nice to know other people have this issue. I don't think I would consider surgery unless there were health implications. Sometimes I like to think of it as a reminder to keep myself healthy from now on!
  • Jessimaaka
    Jessimaaka Posts: 127 Member
    I've heard it never truly completely goes away without the assistance of surgery. Which sucks because mine is not pretty! But I'm only 11 months out.
  • MissTattoo
    MissTattoo Posts: 1,203 Member
    I know moms that have had multiple C-sections.

    Clean eating and heavy lifting is the way to go they say.

    6 packs and no pooch.
  • sam45890
    sam45890 Posts: 43 Member
    In my experience, not completely. I had two c-sections and lost all the baby weight after both kids, but it has not entirely gone away and I suspect it won't. However, weight lifting has helped quite a bit, along with a fairly clean diet. I have an ab progress pic in my profile if anyone is interested. It doesn't show the c-section scar, but I'm pretty pleased with how far I've come above the scar line!!
    Wow Lauren, am almost inspired to take up weight lifting!
  • lauren3382
    lauren3382 Posts: 372 Member
    In my experience, not completely. I had two c-sections and lost all the baby weight after both kids, but it has not entirely gone away and I suspect it won't. However, weight lifting has helped quite a bit, along with a fairly clean diet. I have an ab progress pic in my profile if anyone is interested. It doesn't show the c-section scar, but I'm pretty pleased with how far I've come above the scar line!!
    Wow Lauren, am almost inspired to take up weight lifting!

    DO IT!!!! You will not regret the changes it will have on your body!!
  • angel2783
    angel2783 Posts: 11 Member
    I had C-section 16 months ago and had the same problems, so I went to YouTube to see if there were any ideas and body wraps popped up. After watching a few videos I bought the ingredients and started doing it and the results started to show, so now that I got it flat with just a little loose skin(which don't show with a bikini or low rise panties), I have started to add in exercising and dieting. Basically now my daily routine that I do every day is Rockin Body by Shaun-T dvd, 30 day abs challenge which consist of crunches, leg raises (this targets the lower abs), face down planks and side planks and I still add in body wraps for 45 mins from time to time. My family notice the drastic change in my mid-section quick, especially my twin sister who also had a C-section 20 months ago, so of course she jumped on the band wagon real quick :). Basically the body wraps break up all the fat and toxins in the body and it can also be done on other parts of your body. Hope this helps.
  • Nillabee
    Nillabee Posts: 7
    Loved reading this thread! I have the same issue!! I have been doing heavy weight lifting for 9 months, a fair amount of cardio, completed a Tough Mudder event (4 months after my c-section) and just started Insanity and that flab over my scar is still definitely there. I have noticed when I don't eat super healthy or fall off of the diet wagon for a few weeks it REALLY shows up. However, I kind of think that it is excess skin from the pregnancy being stretched out, then cut, and stitched back together (if that makes sense). All the comments on this have been great...looking into those body wraps!
  • Wanting2BSkinny
    Wanting2BSkinny Posts: 78
    I had 3 c-sections last one being 14 years ago. I've been doing Jillian Michael's 6 week 6 pack. I've noticed some improvement in my lower stomach. I always seem to gain first in my stomach but that little flap of skin isn't hanging quite as much. I don't expect it to be as tight as someone who has never had that type of surgery but only time will tell if it will lessen even more than it has. I can tell it's going to take a while but I'm going to keep at it.
  • dashe111
    dashe111 Posts: 55 Member
    I'm so glad I found this post even if it is several years old! I've had 4 children over the last 8 years all via cesarean and never had a problem getting back to my abs and normal weight until my last child. I'm chalking it up to # of surgeries and age. I doubt it will ever be flat and 6-packed again
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