C-section belly

Thank you for posting this! I have the same questions... as I have had 2 C-sections. :grumble:

Some women can make it go away with weight loss and working out (IF your working out though find out if you have a distatis(separated stomach muscles) or you may actually make it worse)...


But also feeling the same, and thinking... I'll never wear a bikini with this "shelf"..... 2 csections later.

It is hard to get your belly to look mostly normal again. There's another post of women who were able to get back into decent shape.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/909249-moms-that-lost-belly-hang-extra-flab-stretch-marks

After my first child I lost all of the baby weight plus another 17 lbs or so and I still had a little pouch.

(5'3" 185 pregnancy weight got down to 123 lbs)

I knew a girl with 2 children who got flat abs after careful nutrition and doing P90X. Not sure if she had a c section or if that would work for most or if she just got lucky. I am pregnant with baby #3 and praying that I will one day have a decent stomach again.

I looked at that thread but it's older I guess so the images don't display for me, even when I click the button! Can we start a new one and ask ladies with success stories and tummies to pls share here so we can see! I'll check again on the old thread, thank you! I should also prolly read it haha :laugh:

I have had 3 I have to get below 18% body fat to get it to go away. I am almost there. I am only 5'1 and I am at about 108 pounds. Its all about your body's fat distribution and body fat %. How tall are you?

Hi there ladies. I understand your problems because a friend of mine had exactly the same thing.
Unfortunately, when your muscles are cut for the performance of a C Section (especially more than once) there will always be a weakness there. Yes, you can exercise some of this away, but women, by the very nature of their abdominal structure will always have a tiny or maybe not so) "pot" on their lower abdomen. Its normal, and female.
If you dont want to wear a bikini, go for a sexy tankini or a nicely shaped one piece with a nice sexy neckline.

Your scars are part of your life and part of you. I have scrs on my legs from replacement joint surgery, but am not offended by them - they mean I suffered and succeeded. If other people find them offensive, then tough s**t

Wear them and be proud.

Hi there ladies. I understand your problems because a friend of mine had exactly the same thing.
Unfortunately, when your muscles are cut for the performance of a C Section (especially more than once) there will always be a weakness there. Yes, you can exercise some of this away, but women, by the very nature of their abdominal structure will always have a tiny or maybe not so) "pot" on their lower abdomen. Its normal, and female.
If you dont want to wear a bikini, go for a sexy tankini or a nicely shaped one piece with a nice sexy neckline.

Your scars are part of your life and part of you. I have scrs on my legs from replacement joint surgery, but am not offended by them - they mean I suffered and succeeded. If other people find them offensive, then tough s**t

Wear them and be proud.

No muscles are cut then they do a c-section......

I have had 3 I have to get below 18% body fat to get it to go away. I am almost there. I am only 5'1 and I am at about 108 pounds. Its all about your body's fat distribution and body fat %. How tall are you?

I am 5'4" and currently weigh about 140-142. I realize by losing weight, it will be less noticable. The last time I lost weight (about a year ago) I got down to 130. It was definitely better but was still there. I am 44 now so not sure if I will be able to get to an 18% body fat (I'D LOVE TO THOUGH) and actually have no idea what my body fat % was when I was 130

Let me explain how this happens. Think of it as a seam in clothing. Let say a tight seam like an empire waste dress with a tight seam across the belly. Above it goes out because of your chest and possibly below it if you have a belly. It makes your boobs look bigger and your belly look bigger . If you get rid of the fat on top and on bottom of the C-section scar it doesn't do the whole fold the skin thing below or above. Its just tighter their because of the scar so the fat is more noticable above and below since it pinches the skin inward. Same thing if you had tight pants and it gives you a muffin top. It’s just tight there.

At 5'4 and roughly 130 pounds, I am guessing you were at about 24% body fat. You can easily get down to 20% if you wanted to. Its all a choice. You can't notice my folds anymore after 20% body fat in a bathing suit unless I am sitting then it puffs up a bit at the bottom. When I was down to 16% body fat and had an 8pk after 2 C-sections it was gorgeous sitting standing… anything. Hoping to get down to that soon if I can say no to the chocolate, lol.

You can do this its all in if you want it bad enough. I would also be doing a lot of weight training too if I were you to help hold it all together. That also really helps.

My pleasure and thanks! They looked soooo much better after my 2nd one. Wish I had a picture of those bad boys, lol. Kinda making me mad its taking so long this time but that is how it goes. Plus I have been pretty lazy compared to before.

Awesome news. That's a relief! And the analogy of an empire waist dress makes total sense to me too. :drinker:

I have had 3 C-sections myself, the pooch with third one got so much worse. Hoping to lose it somehow someway!

In the mean time, high waist bottoms are my best friend!

Thank you Alexis for he explanation - no chocolate, that is HARD

My pleasure! The 3rd one is so much worse, lol. I eat chocolate every day however I am not good at the moderation thing. Its my fault though. I think I was more motivated with my 2nd because I knew we were going to try for another fast (got pregnant at 8 months post partum) so I had to get back into shape fast. This one I feel like I have more time but then again I hate the lower belly. I think I need a kick in the pants! Hah!

Thank you for posting this! I have the same questions... as I have had 2 C-sections. :grumble:

ditto ^^ i've had 3 like the OP...i'm still way overweight so def have the overhanging pooch.

Preaching to the choir sister..its like a shelf..that I don't want and don't plan on putting anything on...I am not sure mine will ever go away but I will try....it can be hidden pretty well...I think that you just need to get down to the lowest body fat that you can muster and hope it is not too bad or nonexistent..i feel ya.

I am so glad to have found this topic! I have had two full term pregnancies, the second required a c-section. I managed to lose all of my "baby weight" after my second son was born in 2012 (it took about 6 months, but I got down to around 125lbs) but still had lots of saggy skin and the dreaded shelf (it didn't help that I gained 50lbs during pregnancy and most of it was in my belly). I just gave up on the idea of having a flat "bikini" stomach ever again. But it sounds like with some hard work and dedication I may have a shot at it!

Hi there ladies. I understand your problems because a friend of mine had exactly the same thing.
Unfortunately, when your muscles are cut for the performance of a C Section (especially more than once) there will always be a weakness there. Yes, you can exercise some of this away, but women, by the very nature of their abdominal structure will always have a tiny or maybe not so) "pot" on their lower abdomen. Its normal, and female.
If you dont want to wear a bikini, go for a sexy tankini or a nicely shaped one piece with a nice sexy neckline.

Your scars are part of your life and part of you. I have scrs on my legs from replacement joint surgery, but am not offended by them - they mean I suffered and succeeded. If other people find them offensive, then tough s**t

Wear them and be proud.

Thank you for this post!! I agree completely and am proud of mine even if they never go away.