Naturally, your stomach and core are likely to look and feel very different in the weeks, months and even years after surgery. Along with a C-section scar, one of the most common challenges you might face after this kind of surgery is stubborn fat deposits and excess fat along your lower abdomen.
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.
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.
Whether you deliver vaginally or via c-section, you can expect to look down and still see a bump. But unlike your prenatal bump—which was your growing baby—your postpartum belly is the result of an expanded uterus.
Sometimes all your C-section pooch needs is time and regular massage of the scar. After 6-12 months, if that C-section shelf is still there, chances are high that it will always be there unless we treat it.
Both your c-section scar and ab separation need healing. You can rebuild the lost connections and nerve pathways through movement, touch, excellent nutrition, and hydration. If your c-section pooch won't go away, and you've been eating well and exercising regularly, it's likely because of diastasis recti.
That scar can inadvertently form adhesions between layers of abdominal tissue pinning tissues down. If there is excess skin/fat from pregnancy or postpartum, it may end up hanging over the adhesion creating a shelf-like appearance.
If you want to reduce your tummy size after a C-section, pick meals that are rich in lean proteins, wholesome grains, fruits, and vegetables to give your body the nutrients it needs to heal. Studies show that massages can help people lose weight by improving lymphatic drainage and blood circulation.
If you're given the green light, try out your belly wrap one to two days after vaginal delivery is recommended. If you've had a C-section, you must wait three to four weeks, or until your health provider approves. Belly binding is an old practice that has been used by new mothers for hundreds of years.
The results demonstrate a causal relationship between C-section and increased body weight, supporting the involvement of maternal vaginal bacteria in normal metabolic development.
If that separation is greater than 2 centimeters, you may be experiencing diastasis rectus abdominis. Diastasis recti can come with visible bulging or doming at the center of the abdomen that appears with certain movements, with some women saying they still look pregnant long after giving birth.
Reducing belly fat after C-section requires a combination of exercise, healthy diet, and lifestyle changes. Studies have shown that these strategies can be effective in reducing overall body fat, including belly fat.
Tummy Tuck
This is the best treatment method for c section pouch removal as it tightens loose skin and reduces excess fat. There are risks involved with any surgical procedure. It's important to discuss all of your options with your healthcare provider before deciding on a treatment plan.
A C-section pouch, also known as an apron belly or mummy tummy, is a collection of excess skin and fat that develops above the surgical scar after caesarean delivery. It's primarily caused by the stretching and subsequent weakening of the abdominal muscles due to the surgical procedure and the pregnancy itself.
A C-section shelf may not go away on its own, but Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute offers options to get rid of it with natural-looking results.
“I feel that cesarean birth is safe for both mother and baby. Blood loss is less than vaginal birth.” “Cesarean birth is faster than vaginal birth.” “Planned cesarean sections are convenient, date and time can be selected, and there is no need to wait for spontaneous labor.
Impacts of a c-section on the body
It's possible to experience losses in abdominal strength and muscle tone. This has a knock-on effect on your spinal health and stability and can also negatively affect your hips and balance.
The long-term risk includes asthma and obesity [12]. Moreover, higher likelihoods of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and stillbirths in the subsequent pregnancies are found among the mothers having CS [15,16,17,18,19,20].
There has been some research into how c-sections affect the long-term health of children. There is limited evidence that children born by c-section may have a higher risk of childhood asthma up to the age of 5 and obesity up to the age of 12. The reason for this increased risk is not clear.
Cesarean delivery is associated with future subfertility and several subsequent pregnancy risks such as placenta previa, uterine rupture, and stillbirth.
Multiple studies show that children born by cesarean section are at higher risk of obesity compared to those born vaginally. It is unclear yet to what extent this elevated risk may extend to a more adverse profile of biomarkers of metabolic health and inflammation.
After a caesarean, you are not advised to sleep on your front. Your incision is across your abdomen, so putting pressure on it will be painful and risk interfering with healing. Usually, doctors recommend avoiding sleeping on your stomach for six weeks post-C-section or until you no longer have any pain.