Is this loose skin or fat? [pics]

xburiedmylove
xburiedmylove Posts: 9
in Fitness and Exercise
Would anyone be able to tell me if this is loose skin or fat, or both?
I had my baby 6 weeks ago and was wondering what i'll have to deal with in the future.
I'm aware that i'm still recovering and my stomach should get a little better though :)

Picnikcollage-1.jpg

Photo0046-2.jpg

Replies

  • SaSSyhasCurls
    SaSSyhasCurls Posts: 93
    Looks like a combine of both
  • HMD7703
    HMD7703 Posts: 761 Member
    Could be excess water/blood weight / swelling from the pregnancy as well. Just by the look, I would guess (by no means a professional guesser) it is a good mix of both loose skin, swelling, water weight and fat. With that said, you are fresh out the gates of birthing and your skin needs time to retract. Stay hydrated (inside and out) and invest in some nice post-prego cream/oil. It will get better!
  • raisingbabyk
    raisingbabyk Posts: 442 Member
    You're only 6w PP so you still have a lot of shrinking that will happen. It is probably a combination. It will start to go down
  • Mindmovesbody
    Mindmovesbody Posts: 399 Member
    It's both but 6 weeks post partum is not a great time to be accessing the situation. Im 7 months post partum and am working my rear off to get my tummy off and it's really stubborn! As you lose fat, belly improves but for most people is the last thing to go unfortunately. :(
  • p0pr0cksnc0ke
    p0pr0cksnc0ke Posts: 1,283 Member
    Loose skin, fat, displaced organs... you name it. Give yourself time sweetie.
  • KMiche82
    KMiche82 Posts: 144 Member
    I would say from experience both it is going to take you a year to longer to get that back tight.
  • valenief
    valenief Posts: 134 Member
    my belly looks just like this and it's a combo of both.
  • T0niaCh0i
    T0niaCh0i Posts: 2
    While you're working on losing weight, it looks like you do have some extra skin that's often caused from excessive weight loss or pregnancy. I actually battled the exact same problem after giving birth to 3 children. I lost back down to my ideal weight, and I exercised like crazy, but it never went away. I eventually had the excess skin removed through cosmetic surgery, and now my tummy looks similar to what it did pre-pregnancy. There are MANY things exercise and fitness can fix. Unfortunately, lose skin isn't one of them. :(
  • Jazzyrose77
    Jazzyrose77 Posts: 153 Member
    It's both. It takes time to pop back after having a baby. Nothing messses up a stomach like having kids.
  • hamiltonba
    hamiltonba Posts: 474 Member
    Whoa.....you are jumping the gun!!! As a woman who has had a c-section, you need to be patient! Although you might have given birth naturally, your body has still undergone some crazy stuff - carried and nourished a baby inside your body for almost a year! The skin will shrink, the fat will shrink, the stretch marks will shrink and the swelling inside will shrink. At this time, focus on rest and eating healthy!!! Once your doctor gives you the ok - AND NOT BEFORE - start walking and then work up to exercising. Good luck and learn some patience - for yourself and your new baby....
  • AlyssaAmes3
    AlyssaAmes3 Posts: 26 Member
    I had the same thing after I had my son. It is mostly fat but some loose skin as well. I don't want to be blunt or anything I just know cause that is how my stomach looked afterwards. Mine was a result of gaining too much weight during pregnancy. Keep taking pictures though because that is how you will really notice a difference in that area. I wish I had taken pics. I know my mid section is smaller know but when I look in the mirror I still see the flap hanging down :( Keep up with your calories and I recommend Lindsay Brin's workout dvds. She really shows you how to get a flat stomach. I just wish I found her dvds a long time ago. Good Luck :)
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  • bizgirl26
    bizgirl26 Posts: 1,795 Member
    Combo. Remember the old saying" It took 9 months to grow, its going to take that long to shrink". I have gone through several pregnancies, your stomach will get better but maybe not what it what pre-pregnancy. It is very early so dont fret
  • valenief
    valenief Posts: 134 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/554529-down-20-lbs


    Here is my tummy Im down 20 lbs but the skin is still there has got a little better however.
  • sassylilmama
    sassylilmama Posts: 1,493 Member
    You need more time sweetie. It is a combo of both and your organs still being out of place after birth and surgery. Take it asy and relax, with time it will shrink.
  • T0niaCh0i
    T0niaCh0i Posts: 2
    I WILL say that exercise and fitness can certainly improve lose skin, but I'm only speaking for my own experience… it actually took surgery to get rid of mine. And I waited until my youngest was 6 years old. I tried every ab exercise and every weight loss plan in the book. And again, I lost the weight, but not the stretched skin.
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
    Loose skin (without much fat) will hang flatter, like an apron. Try Googling images for "loose skin after weight loss" for examples.

    Congrats on your new arrival. Give yourself some time to recover from what your body did for nine months. :drinker:
  • steffiejoe
    steffiejoe Posts: 313 Member
    Looks like its both.

    I wore a panty girdle after having my daughter. It helped . My stomach was back to its normal size within 6 months.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I mix of everything :) Give it time :)
  • Cwilliams8676
    Cwilliams8676 Posts: 252 Member
    Ive lost 46 pounds after having 7 kids in 12 yrs. My skin is stretched but it is so much tighter. I even if it doesnt go away woont do surgery. Id rather have the lose skin
  • tarak83
    tarak83 Posts: 40
    You've only just had a baby... please don't beat yourself up! Now is not the time to be stressing yourself out. It is fat... it is loose skin... it will shrink down with time. You can help it along by eating a healthy diet and trying to stay active even if it is just taking baby for a walk once a day. You will both benefit from it. :)

    My body has been through a lot... I've popped out 3 kids and lost over 100lbs.
    I'll show you a picture of myself to give you an idea of what your body (loose skin..stretch marks..etc.) will possibly look like a bit down the line. I have a lot of work to do, but I started lifting weights four weeks ago and I've started to see some serious improvement in my skin tone.
    As you can see, the stretch marks do fade but they never disappear completely unfortunately. The loose skin does tighten back up, but as you can see.. not completely. With that being said, it depends on you. Some people are luckier than others and bounce back quite easily, but then there's those of us who struggle.
    HVMz6.jpg
  • xburiedmylove
    xburiedmylove Posts: 9
    Thanks everyone you've been a great help. :)
  • pkc4be
    pkc4be Posts: 1
    Hi. I gained 4st 7lb when pregnant (63lbs). It took me 10 months to get back down to 147lbs from 200lbs but I did it! My stomach looked horrid! It was stretched and I was the same as you wondering if its fat or not. 2 years later, I stayed at 147lbs but is was so much better from toning up naturally. I have now started to strictly diet and I'm at 132lb. I haven't excercisedbat all and it's firmed up more. I still have a stomach that looks like iv been attacked by a tiger!! But it will form with time. Xxxx

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