Tummy Tuck: A Tummy Tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. This is the most definitive procedure to get rid of the C-section scar and pooch.
Manual scar tissue mobilization and cupping can help to minimize the shelf-like appearance. Both techniques essentially lift and move tissues that are stuck which can reduce the indentation and thus minimize “shelf.”
While diet and exercise can help women lose excess fat after pregnancy, a healthy lifestyle can't make a c-section scar and bulge go away. Some women may find their c-shelf sticks around for years, while others may notice the area gradually flattens over time.
For some women, this scar tissue can't be removed with exercise or diet changes alone (which may mean surgery is the only way to completely eliminate a postpartum pouch). For others, following an exercise program and focusing on core exercises can be enough to flatten the appearance of this pouch.
The best way of getting rid of stomach overhang is a surgical procedure known as abdominoplasty at our London clinic, which will remove it completely. This procedure tightens the stomach muscles and removes excess skin and fatty tissues from the middle and lower abdominal region.
The C-section pooch occurs when the C-section scar is anchored down to your core abdominal muscles. That makes the stretched out skin of your belly and the fat above it more noticeable. When the layer of fat between the skin and the muscle is disrupted during the surgery, the scar is not able to move freely.
All women (even the Duchess of Cambridge!) have a bit of a belly for the first four to eight weeks after giving birth, as the uterus shrinks back to size. But for some of us, that “five months pregnant” look can last months or even years.
An abdominal binder is a waist trainer that is recommended for people who've had an abdominal surgery like a C-section. The binder is made of elastic and comes with loop closure and velcro to hold it in place. It helps reduce post-operative pain and also improves your posture.
The second issue with C-Sections is that a lot of times the scar is going to stick down to the muscle and that as you get more mature, as you get older, the skin gets looser and it just folds over that scar and you can't make that go away either.
Generally, if the muscles are going to heal on their own, they will within three months of birth. If you are several months postpartum, it's likely that your diastasis recti is here to stay. Some women have had success using targeted exercises to help the muscles move closer together.
Cut down on sugar and alcohol – these are two key areas to focus on if you want to reduce stomach fat as they can cause bloating. Get moving regularly – daily exercise is a great way to shift tummy fat. A regular walk or jog, a workout or two from our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge app are all great options.
Your postpartum belly won't instantly go back to how it was before you were pregnant – it's a process that can take months or even years, while some bellies may take on a different shape permanently. Some moms may experience a bulge caused by diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy.
Once the baby is born, the halves come back together and heal during the first 6-8 weeks. The “pooch” that won't go away, is often the result of these halves not healing properly, leaving a separation that acts as a hernia when the muscle is contracted.
The connective tissue between the abdominal muscles can thin and weaken, and that can lead to a bulge in your belly. That post-pregnancy bulge is commonly known as a "mommy pooch" or "mommy-tummy" and it will not go away with diet and exercise. DRA is not a cosmetic concern.
Some women use a postpartum belly wrap after having a baby to help their muscles. Studies show that wraps or binders might help with pain and healing after a C-section (cesarean section). They might also help support your organs and muscles as they move back into place after having a baby.
Use Specifically Crafted Shapewear For After C-Sections
Body slimmers and shaping girdles are useful for C-section recovery once you are a few weeks along. These compression garments can be worn under your clothes to smooth your stomach area and give support.
Postpartum weight gain can happen for a number of reasons, from the fact that you're fatigued or don't have time for a regular excercise routine, or because of an underlying health condition that requires attention, such as postpartum thyroiditis, diabetes, or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
If you still look pregnant or experience abdominal pain weeks or months after giving birth, you might be suffering from a condition called diastasis recti, or abdominal muscle separation.
While pregnancy itself takes a toll on your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, C-sections cause even more stress to this area. Due to this, extra care and dedication is needed to rebuild and restore the belly. While it may take more work, it is not impossible to lose the post-C-section pooch.
Returning to exercise
Try to build up gradually and stop if you have any pain. Once you have recovered from your c-section and no longer have any pain, it's usually safe to start low-impact exercises, such as swimming, pilates, yoga, gentle jogging and low resistance gym work.