Question for Those with Post C-section Body...

I hated mine and was self consious as well. After having my second child i had my tubes tied and they removed the scar tissue at the same time. it's not raised or as bad as it was after my first child.

I am right there with you sister, I only had one though. I has taken me almost two years to min. the flap. I really didn't like it...it's all lose and jiggles with any kind of movement, i agree it's poopie. But I have to say, I work out every once an a while and is lost most of it. Although i would love to have my 18 year old body back, I really think this is as close as i am going to get to it. I am 5'7 and weighted 145 before, when prego got up to 205 had my son, had a lot of body water, and you know you sit forever when you get one then lost 30lbs, which i thought i was never going to lose. So.........yeah......I am not going to be proud until i have my coke bottle back.

If you do end up doing the who face book thing, I would love to be on it. :)

Hi S.,

First of all, you are only 4 months out. That is NOT a lot of time. Every body is different, but I can share that I had 2 C-sections. I didn't start losing weight until after the 2nd one. I have achieved my PRE-Pregnancy weight - 40 lbs lighter - and still have the flap. I do work out 2 times per week. I started a system of Yoga + cardio/strength training for about 8 months, THEN started Pilates. Pilates is the one that strengthens your core, your abdominal region. I do recommend you pursue this type of regimen, starting out slowly, and working your way up to abdominal strength training - but at least after 2 or 3 more months from now. You need to heal, and you do not want to pull anything. Try not to be too self conscious about it. Try walking as much as you can and eating low-fat foods. If you are nursing, "dieting" is not recommended. Just make healthy choices, drink plenty of water and you will be primed to start perhaps a yoga program in a few months. Also, I don't wear revealing bathing suits or tank tops, or low rise jeans, because it looks gross. So I just cover it, and everything else looks good! I do know some people who have had actual tummy tucks but I wouldn't recommend elective surgery unless it is well after your C, well after you have tried an exercise program to tighten at least your inner abdominal muscles, and well after nursing. The flap remains for even very in-shape women. But if you know you are strong inside, don't sweat it.

Hi, S.:

There is some scar massage oil at your local health food store. Massage the area twice a day, morning and night.

If they don't have it, call the Heritage Store in Virginia Beach, VA and ask them to send you some.

Good luck. D.

Hi S....I have had 3 c-sections and I believe your Doctor although I've never asked about it myself. I guess I just figured that after 3 major abdomial surgeries my biggest worry was preventing a incisional hernia and lask of feeling around my scar. I just accepted that I'd never have a "flat tummy". I think a group would be great! Too many women are afraid they are "missing" something when they have c-section. Too many women are afraid that not pushing out their baby and having to take meds makes them less of a mother somehow. They loose sight of the simple fact that having a healthy Mom and baby is the MOST important fact of all. A lot of women don't understand and never really talk to their Doctors about why they had to have the c-section. Insurance changes force women to change doctors from one pregnancy to the next and each doctor has their own feelings about repeat c-sections and VBAC as well. If you start a group let me know...I'd love to be a part of it! Message me here any time! Best wishes.

i have a big flap i with my last child i was 58 inches around and yes i know how big that is. LOL i ended up with 5 hernias and 89 surgeries for the hernias and finally one taht worked. So now i am getting a penlectomy to get rid of the flap that hangs and it costs aobut $3,000 but i think it will be worth it.
T.

I am with u.. I am very happy with my children.. But i am not happy about the way that they where all born.. It is very hard to put on a bathing suit and hard to wear ceartain cloths.. I find myself going to a larger size just to hide the way the stomach looks.. And then i have the questions if I am prego again..

I also have tried to express my feelings about having my kids by c-section and have been told that i have been very selfseish.. It is very hard to get that area reworked since the muscles have been cut... I have had 3 c-sections

I would like to be a part of the group you're creating. Did you think of a name yet? I'm terrible at naming things, so i won't be any help there...we're lucky we finally came up with a name for our daughter, lol.

I haven't had c-sections but I can relate to the "flap" lol. I imagine that the scar is also bothersome but I just wanted to let you know you are not alone w/ the flap. It bothers me tons! I wish I knew how good I looked pre-kids or even after the 1st!! :)

Not sure if there are any groups or forums specifically geared towards C's. I was apart of forums for due date clubs so I imagine you could find something like that, that would include Mama's who've had C's.

Good luck!

I think some of us are talking about two different things:

First, there's the 'flap' of belly that many of us (c/s moms or not, lol) struggle with losing.
And then there's the 'flap' of skin that juts out just above the scar line where the doctor made the incision. Is that what you are talking about?

I don't know. I am far more self-conscious of my belly than of my scar (and I have had 2 c-sections). I think I've just gotten past it (but it didn't happen until after I had baby #2). Even with the belly, though...your abdominal muscles were cut-you can get some of that six-pack look to some extent, but my OB said I would always have a 'pooch' (that's what my friends and I call it). I'm not one to wear two-piece bathing suits, so I just find something to wear that covers it (a wrap around my waist).

My husband swears it doesn't bug him and I have to say, it doesn't seem to. It bugs ME but at the same time...it doesn't. I have moments with it.

The scar flap...that bugged the heck out of me the first time around. I tried all sorts of lotions/creams/salves to minimize it and hide it (and let me tell you, my OB did an EXCELLENT job of sewing me up...I had stitches and not staples the first time). You could barely SEE the scar but I could feel it jutting out a bit. The second time, he had to do staples and it does jut out a little more but for some reason, I don't care as much. My husband has seen it and thinks nothing of it.

How did you feel about getting a c-section? Were you upset by having to have one? I think a lot of times it seems that if someone HAD to end up having one and truly didn't want to-the negative feelings about it tend to carry on for a while after. My best friend was SO against having a c/s and then HAD to have one (very large baby with some complications) and she was very upset. She was so negative about the experience and was angry for a while after. On top of that she experienced a lot of discomfort and took a long time to heal, and then was self-conscious about her scar...but I wonder if maybe because she went into it so frustrated, if that carried over? Maybe that sounds nuts.

I knew I was having a c/s due to some medical issues I had and I was nervous but completely fine with it.

What I have learned is that while I might have some negative feelings about how I look post-babies...it's in my head and my husband doesn't seem to mind the new me.

I had an unplanned C-section for my daughter 16 months ago. She is my first child. My scar is still raised (though it's starting to flatten a bit) and still very discolored. I'm not that self-conscious about my scar, but I am very self-conscious about my belly pooch which makes me feel like I still look 4 months pregnant! My pooch actually sort-of covers my scar becuase my belly is just so flabby and all.

I would love to join your Facebook group. Did you think of a name yet?

Been there, done that twice. Almost 5 years ago for one and 15 months for the other. I'm afraid I have no advice for getting rid of it, because I have yet to find my "cure", but I do understand it can be very embarrassing and annoying, but in the end I guess I just have to weigh it...skip one big flab rolled belly versus 2 wonderful kids, I'll take the belly flab, hehe! Anyway, at least you know your not alone...I hope it gets better for you and that you find a way to fix it or feel less negative about it, either way I wish you the best!

Hey, S.! didnt' see this until now?!
The DVDS that have done wonders for me are Crunchless Abs as well as the 20 minute abs workout in Turbo Jam along with the total workouts there, as well as working out in general at the gym-including cardio. The flap WILL go away once your muscle wall is all tightened up again. Unless your doctor didn't think so due to scar placement? I would get a second opinion. My scar is lower, but the flap was still there for months starting an inch above the scar.

Conquering it is SLOW (especially working out once a week or so instead of 3 times like i want)-I'm at 7 months post c-section already and not quite finished, but this is how long it took me for that flap to dwindle the last two times too. The key is focusing mentally on the muscles deep under the tissue while you work out-almost doing keggles (sp?) with the exercises, not just flopping around with surface muscles. Also, wear high waistbands (lovely I know, thanks Gap mom jeans) so it doesn't hang out over low rises while you're trying to nip it in, and remember to keep your gut sucked in during the day to help strengthen and lift muscles too.

Also, AVOID the classic straight up and down crunches! They tend to make your muscle wall "push out" when working on a post baby belly for some reason. You need the twists and other body stuff to sort of trick your abs into shrinking other ways by hitting the "inner muscle girdle" to effect he outer flap. The flap and flubber on top is the last to go, so don't be discouraged, it will melt away when the other stuff is all done. I'm finally seeing some "lifting and flattening" back to normal.

I know how you feel! It's NOT cool when you can do the pencil test to your belly as well as your saggy boobs (like me)-but it can be worked away. Luckily I don't mind my scar, and hubby's been smart enough to keep it to himself if he minds it-it's DEFINITELY visible, red, long, etc, but the pooch flap-ewwww!

Some people I know had the saggy pooch go away on its own after one or two pregnancies, but on the third, at 40-ish it took HARD work as well as a nice long time (year or two!) to deflate and lift away. One of the girls in the Turbo Jam video has 7 kids and a rock hard middle~ You can do it!

Ok. So my son is 20 months old. I had an emergency c-section. Today at the park, I was playing with him and this older lady said "Wow, mom's these days. Playing at the park and with another one on the way." And I just said "Yeah, uh huh." didn't even want to say "I'm SO not pregnant (i think..lol)" AHHHH.

First of all- people should stop asking unless I look at least 7 months pregnant.

Secondly, yes it is normal to have a muffin top...lol..especially after c-section. I work out a few times a week an walk one-two miles everyday. I still haven't lost it all. Well, actually I'm below pre-pregnancy, but I had at least 15 lbs more than I'm comfortable with but whatEVER. So goes life. And I do not ever want another surgery if possible!

So, i will buy my cute clothes that cover up my belly and then on days that I don't care if someone dares to ask me, I will wear a normal t-shirt that allows others to see my belly and belly button hole through it and say "la la la" :)

Check out my site, tianastar.com, and I'm a performing musician and could let it take ove rmy life, but I choose to have balance, love, and a bit of chocolate here and there (and everywhere! LOL)

Love, peace and may God bless and be with you my mommy friends! :)

My scar is so low that I don't notice a flap of skin over it. Maybe I don't have one...not sure. I do know that my pregnant pooch hasn't gone away and my son is now 2. That is more annoying than anything, not having time to eat right and exercise. Not that I was much of an exerciser before, but would like to lose some weight. I think a facebook group is a great idea. It is pretty easy to make a group. I would definately join that group.

Hi S.. Thanks for your post. I had 3 c sections and I too have the dreaded flap. I recently lost 20 lbs and it has gotten better some, but I know it will never actually be gone. My belly is absolutely destroyed between the flap and the fact that my skin has lost elasticity. I feel like I look like I've had a gastric bypass or something, Im only 145lbs and 5'9, but I was up to 205 when I delivered my last. I do not work out, and Im sure it might help, but I do not believe anything would make my midsection look better other then a tummy tuck! I am self conscious of it, I had a very nice, slender and defined midsection before having my babies and I feel badly for my husband that I am still not in that condition. He's never said a word, but it's how I feel about myself.

I am also not happy about having to have 3 c sections, and it wasn't for lack of trying, but I don't think I will ever truely be at peace with not having had the experience of pushing my babies into the world. There are c section groups on cafe mom if you belong to that. I also used to belong to ICAN, international cecerian awareness network, but it was more pregnant woman coming up on c sections then a group for those who have already had them.

This probably won't be helpful, but I thought I should respond. I've had 2 c-sections, 18 months apart. I am almost one year from my last csection. My first was unplanned & afterward one of the older nurses looked at my incision & said I was lucky to get the dr I got b/c it was the best incision she had ever seen. She also said that my dr was well known in the hospital as the best at that. Needless to say I requested her the next time. My scar has faded to a thin line and is completely smooth & level with the rest of my skin. When I told the dr how greatful I was for her wonderful stitching she said that her stitching didn't really matter; everyone heals differently & I was lucky.
As for my belly. I'm actually quite happy with it right now. It is almost back to its prepregnancy flatness & I haven't started exercising yet. I am hopeful that once I have the time to exercise I should get it flat again. I think this has a lot to do with how much your belly expands during pregnancy. I am very tall 5'10". So I have a lot of abdominal space & I did not stick out very far, even at full term. There were women I met while pregnant who were MONTHS behind me, yet we looked equally pregnant. Also, I know a woman who healed perfectly fine after her first baby, but her second preg was twins & she couldn't get rid of the belly pouch even with thousands of sit ups daily. She got a tummy tuck.
Finally, your are only 4 months out. Wait until you are a year out & back to your normal weight. Then you will really know where you stand. As of now anything can happen.