C-section, scars and stretch marks, oh my!

Esmerelda13 · July 2012

Perhaps this isn't the right board to post this on, but my question is aimed at women that have been losing weight for awhile and therefore have some experience. I have had 3 c-sections and my scar runs north-to-south. To be blunt it looks like I have a butt on my stomach with the scar being the crack. I am in my 50's, have 100lbs. to lose and I have seen stories on TV and in magazines about women that have to have saggy skin surgically removed or can't seem to get rid of their pouch. Is it possible to have a flat stomach after gaining so much weight and having c-sections? If you have done it, to what do you attribute your success? I appreciate your help.

karagetsfit · July 2012

Mine is east to west so i can't help

alikonner · July 2012

mine is east to west too.. so i'm not sure!

Nica_LosN_It · July 2012

bump. I am north to south too. interesting in hearing/seeing results:blushing:

PrettyKeli · July 2012

I just had a baby and honey I had a c-section, stretch marks etc. My post "had a baby..." you can see my before and after pics

I credit my success to:

Cold showers <<< yes Ice cold showers
Coconut oil
Bio oil
Lots of water
Healthy eating
and exercise

At first they begin to lift so they aren't so deep, then they shrink, then they disappear

hot hot water is no good for stretch marks, it may feel nice but it won't look nice. There comes a point where you have to make a decision to do what is good for you instead of focusing only on what is good to you. I had to learn this

You can do it! You can lose the weight and get rid of the stretch marks, scars, etc. Have faith, put in the work, and believe!! ^_^

MrsFolk · July 2012

I've had three too but mine are east to west, sorry

Esmerelda13 · July 2012

I guess I had my c-sections in the old days (1978-1982) before they decided, "Hey! Why mess up the whole stomach! If we do it this way, it can be hidden..." I'm not really concerned about the stretch marks or the scar. I consider them my 'badge' of motherhood. I would like to know if a flat stomach is possible though.

tajmel · July 2012

Losing weight slowly and healthfully gives your skin more time to catch up, and you can certainly do scrubs to improve circulation and moisturize to help with elasticity. You will most likely have some loose skin, but not as much as you see on shows like "the biggest loser". I've never seen anyone completely get rid of stretch marks or c-section scars (it's scar tissue) but they will shrink and fade significantly. Also, there are some cosmetic medical treatments that can help (filling recessed stretch marks, laser treatment for raised scars, and bleaching for discoloration) but really I don't think many women need them. Personally I treat my scars like the hard-won trophies they are

.

kmmealey · July 2012

Hmm, honestly, maybe not totally flat. Vertical incisions (yep, in the "old days", I'm your age too) cut thru many different muscles. Three pregnancies obviously also caused lots of skin/tissue stretching. Fortunately they don't do that type incision for C-sections any more. Have you consulted a plastic surgeon? Not saying to have surgery, but, visiting with one, having he/she examine your abdomen may answer your questions. Still, weight loss and exercise certainly decreases abdominal girth for us all. Altho' I'm a former surgical RN, this is only my guess.
Best wishes on your weight loss journey.

tajmel · July 2012

I guess I had my c-sections in the old days (1978-1982) before they decided, "Hey! Why mess up the whole stomach! If we do it this way, it can be hidden..." I'm not really concerned about the stretch marks or the scar. I consider them my 'badge' of motherhood. I would like to know if a flat stomach is possible though.

It absolutely is

.

ryansgram · July 2012

Just eat right and exercise and be proud of yourself afterwards.

jsp2374 · July 2012

I've had three but mine are all east to west as well. As far as why they do them so low, yes vanity does come into play, but also, big but here. The lower on the uterus the cut is, the better the uterus recovers. SO that bikini scar actually serves the purpose of preserving the integrity of the uterus. I got really pissed before my third c-section, which was done in Australia as opposed to the US, here when the OB complained about vanity being the ONLY reason to do a low cut.

SOrry off my soap box now. My sister has a north to south scar from her only c-section. It was done because she had a dry breach baby in there.

Jackie

Esmerelda13 · July 2012

I've had three but mine are all east to west as well. As far as why they do them so low, yes vanity does come into play, but also, big but here. The lower on the uterus the cut is, the better the uterus recovers. SO that bikini scar actually serves the purpose of preserving the integrity of the uterus. I got really pissed before my third c-section, which was done in Australia as opposed to the US, here when the OB complained about vanity being the ONLY reason to do a low cut.

SOrry off my soap box now. My sister has a north to south scar from her only c-section. It was done because she had a dry breach baby in there.

Jackie

Esmerelda13 · July 2012

I've had three but mine are all east to west as well. As far as why they do them so low, yes vanity does come into play, but also, big but here. The lower on the uterus the cut is, the better the uterus recovers. SO that bikini scar actually serves the purpose of preserving the integrity of the uterus. I got really pissed before my third c-section, which was done in Australia as opposed to the US, here when the OB complained about vanity being the ONLY reason to do a low cut.

SOrry off my soap box now. My sister has a north to south scar from her only c-section. It was done because she had a dry breach baby in there.

Jackie

Whoops! This was supposed to go with that, lol. I just wanted to thank you for that information. I was never told that.

willard7 · July 2012

HI, I have had 2 C-sections (1985 & 1989).Mine is east to west. I am 55 now. I started with MFP in Jan and lost 18 pds but can NOT get a flat belly if I tried. I go to the gym , use my wii fitness and walk. I am very happy with my weight loss but I also have a pouch above my c- sections scar. I don't care about the scars. I just would like to get that area flatter. I don't want to have surgery. Any exercise suggestions that would help so many yrs later.... from someone that has lost the fat above the sections?

jsp2374 · July 2012

I've had three but mine are all east to west as well. As far as why they do them so low, yes vanity does come into play, but also, big but here. The lower on the uterus the cut is, the better the uterus recovers. SO that bikini scar actually serves the purpose of preserving the integrity of the uterus. I got really pissed before my third c-section, which was done in Australia as opposed to the US, here when the OB complained about vanity being the ONLY reason to do a low cut.

SOrry off my soap box now. My sister has a north to south scar from her only c-section. It was done because she had a dry breach baby in there.

Jackie

Whoops! This was supposed to go with that, lol. I just wanted to thank you for that information. I was never told that.

Not a problem. I did research between my second and third c-sections. I was trying to decide if even thinking of a VBAC would be safe or not. Learned it then.

Jackie

Vailara · July 2012

I have an east to west scar. It's really surprising small. It amazes me that anybody could have reached in there and got a baby out! Mind you, there did seem to be an awful lot of tugging going on at the time.

I put on a LOT of weight in pregnancy, but it seemed to come off naturally (breastfeeding and stress!), and my tummy did go back almost to normal, even with the section. Hipster jeans were in back then and I didn't mind showing a bit of midriff. I did get some stretch marks right in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, but they faded. They're there, but they're silvery and I don't really think about them.

So it's certainly possible to return to a flat tummy after a low incision, in my experience. Of course, years later, I've put on loads more weight and I don't know how things will end up. My tummy sticks out at the moment, and I don't know if it will gradually be eat pulled in as I lose weight, or if it will just "empty" and sag into an overhang! I'm trying to aim for the first option by losing weight slowly rather than quickly, eating well, and trying to get stronger (hoping my muscles will help hold everything together!).

KateRepine · July 2012

I have the same problem!

jodiebarrette · July 2012

Thank you for this post - I have had three c-sections west to east and it is the roll that hangs over the scar that brought me to MFP. I am hoping through proper diet and exercise it will eventually dissapear. My husband says the stomach area is the last to go so we'll see. I await responses from women who have had c-sections and now have a FLAT stomach (except for the six pack abs of course)

trud72 · July 2012

all scars and strech marks will fade in time war wounds i am afraid! they are there for keeps! :noway: wear them with pride! :drinker:

vkahlenberg · July 2012

I would like to know if a flat stomach is possible though.

Yes, a flat stomach is certainly possible, though I imagine every case is unique.
I have the worst skin tone/elasticity ever, and though I've had no c-sections and can't answer that part, I have tremendous stretch mark scarring. I lost weight slowly, and no longer have a saggy pouch, but the wrinkles! :frown: If any of you know what "smocking" looks like (a method of tiny pleating in fabric)- that's my belly. And I don't think it's going anywhere. That's not to say someone else would be stuck with it. So, I think a lot of it depends on several factors: genetics (skin tone, elasticity), age, and degree of scarring.
Anyway, it looks good INSIDE of clothes. :happy:

JanSmelly · July 2012

all scars and strech marks will fade in time war wounds i am afraid! they are there for keeps! :noway: wear them with pride! :drinker:

This.

There is no lotion or magic potion that will rid you of stretch marks. I am learning to embrace them as a part of my journey. I mean I wouldn't have them if weren't for my twins.

here_I_go_again · July 2012

Perhaps this isn't the right board to post this on, but my question is aimed at women that have been losing weight for awhile and therefore have some experience. I have had 3 c-sections and my scar runs north-to-south. To be blunt it looks like I have a butt on my stomach with the scar being the crack. I am in my 50's, have 100lbs. to lose and I have seen stories on TV and in magazines about women that have to have saggy skin surgically removed or can't seem to get rid of their pouch. Is it possible to have a flat stomach after gaining so much weight and having c-sections? If you have done it, to what do you attribute your success? I appreciate your help.

I've had 3 C sections also, north to south. I know what you mean about the "butt" on the stomache. Eat right and exercise and it will definately go down, although I don't know if it will ever be "flat" again, maybe. I haven't reached that yet. I still have 25 pounds to go, so we will see. I have also had surgery in that area twice after that and have west to east scars across my abdomen, so I have quite a few battle scars in that area and am just doing the best that I can do. We will see what happens. When I reach my goal weight, I'll let you know how much has gone down. Good luck!

spicypepper · July 2012

Thank you for this post - I have had three c-sections west to east and it is the roll that hangs over the scar that brought me to MFP. I am hoping through proper diet and exercise it will eventually dissapear. My husband says the stomach area is the last to go so we'll see. I await responses from women who have had c-sections and now have a FLAT stomach (except for the six pack abs of course)

^^This!

I to had 5 c-sections, all east/west and have the over hang. I am currently doing cardio and will begin doing more an work as soon as my OB gives me my release on Monday. it's only been 6 weeks since #5 was delivered. That being said, I've also got 17 years of being overweight to contend with.

Right now I'm making sure my water intake is high because I've hear that helps with your skin bouncing back. I've heard that you'll never be flat, but I'll take smaller over what I have now.

Ashley870910 · July 2012

I have had 1 natural and 1 east to west c-section. After my c-section I had that roll over the scar. I have about 40lbs to lose, but luckily for me, the roll is the first to go. Dont know how i got lucky for that to happen. I drank TONS of water, cardio at least 5xs a week for the first 6 weeks, and eating at deficit. Now, I am doing 30 day shred. I am on day 7. 7 days ago was the first I have actually done anything other than cardio. I am no where near a flat stomach yet, but I wanted to let yall know that my "roll" has disappeared. Might not go first for some people, but it is possible for it to go. Oh, and this is starting the "diet" 2 years after the c-section, and 3 and 1/2 after first pregnancy.

mlowe513 · July 2012

I just started losing weight and I am so glad to hear that the "roll" over the esat to west c-section scar goes away. I have been so worried that I would have it forever. This inspires me!

Vailara · July 2012

Thank you for this post - I have had three c-sections west to east and it is the roll that hangs over the scar that brought me to MFP. I am hoping through proper diet and exercise it will eventually dissapear. My husband says the stomach area is the last to go so we'll see. I await responses from women who have had c-sections and now have a FLAT stomach (except for the six pack abs of course)

Mine was flat. When I said it didn't go back to normal, what I was thinking was that my belly button looked a bit different. I didn't have a six pack, but it was flat. (Sadly, that was several years ago and it isn't any more!). I know some people's doesn't go flat, and it probably depends on various things (fat levels, genetics, etc.), but I didn't find the C-section in itself prevented me having a flat tummy. I didn't actually TRY to get a flat tummy. I think mummy tummies look fine

.

Candida1983 · February 2013

Is there an admin on that can keep lady ^^^ from spamming people's posts with her attempts at selling her wraps? These are true weight loss success stories, not wrap people. They worked their butts off (literally). You can't wrap your way to being healthy, but you can work for it. These ladies are living proof.

AnneU93 · February 2013

Unfortunately your skin isn't as elastic as a 20-year-old's and therefore many women in their 40-50's whom has lost a good amount of weight will need surgically removal of excess skin also if you have been overweight for many years, the skin is stretched. It is like an elastic band if you have ever found an old box you have had in story for many years which has an elastic band around it to hold it together you will find that the elastic has become dry and is stretched out and when taking of it might break (stretch marks) and it won't go back into it's original size. :ohwell:

Lulzaroonie · February 2013

When my mum had me, I was born via emergency c-section north to south, so I know exactly of what you speak, the belly bum thing XD
She is also in her 50s now and has always had a pooch belly in that area, despite losing lots of weight (she went from an 18 to a size 8, but since gone up to a 12).
I can't give you any advice really, other than to try skin firming creams? Bio Oil, or Shea butter might help?

NJL13500 · February 2013

I think I got my tummy to be as flat as I can make it. I had a c-section in 1993 and then another child afterwards not via c-section. I wish I could use my children as an "excuse", but the truth is I got my loose skin from letting myself get fat. I had a tiny little pooch over my c-section scar before I gained weight, but the loose skin that I have now is from my poor lifestyle choices.

I have heard that strength training, staying hydrated, and keeping it moisturized helps, but it remains to be seen for me. I have just come to accept that I will have loose skin, but most women my age (42) have some sort of issue with their bodies and we all just need to embrace what we have. I'm looking forward to strutting my stuff in a bikini this summer. :-)

C-section, scars and stretch marks, oh my!

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