Belly After a C-section

You will get through this! You are right it is very possible you are on the verge of depression but I have faith in you. It took me a year to try to get my body back but I still have some saggy skin. I am in a size 4 now but after having a little over a ten pound baby C-style my skin just hasn't totally ever recovered. I ate high protein-chicken, fish, turkey, 2 vegs, 2 startches, 2 fruits and carried around a water bottle to drink water all the time to feel full. I took Fish Oil pills to help my skin. Everything I ate was fresh--no can stuff, so it can get a little bit more expensive. I hope this helps, but just remember how terrible those days in NICU were and now how much better things are, it sllllllloowly improves.

My heart goes out to you, M., and I'll be praying for you. You didn't mention the father of your daughters - I hope he's there for you, and you can support each other emotionally.

As for your tummy, I've found that walking briskly does a suprisingly good job of toning the midsection. It will be good for your depression, too. Spring is coming, and that should help!

Keep your inner sound track set to positive thoughts - hymns, Bible verses, poems, whatever inspires you. And remember, "sexy" comes from the inside out. You're still the same beautiful woman, even if your belly isn't the same as before.

You ARE going to get past this!! She is ONLY 5 months old. Your baby belly - it can truly be depressing for a woman - I completely understand this! I have 3 little ones and have learned that it can takes months/years to get back to pre-pregnancy shapes - if we ever completely return to "normal"! It took me 2 years to get back down after my first and then I became pregnant with my 2nd child about a month later. After the 2nd I just back down again and then I got pregnant with the 3rd. I enjoyed my pregnancy and the results of my pregnancy so much that I just had to look at my belly and let it remind me of the beautiful blessings sitting on the couch playing so nice together right now (NO, they do not always play so nice). It can also seem like you will never get down to size again but be patient and enjoy your little girl.
I also lost a baby though I was very early pregant and I know that I struggled. Don't try to understand it because you may never understand it. Do know that your precious baby is in Heaven with Jesus and that you will see her again - in Heaven - if you have asked Jesus to come into your heart! I would love to share more if you are interested. Jesus loves you and wants to heal your hurting heart!!!!
You didn't mention anything about the babies dad - is he around - how does he feel. Allow him to express his feelings as well and allow yourselves the opportunity to grow together through this. It won't be easy but you can surely make it through!!
If you are getting depressed over it - IT IS OK TO TAKE AN ANTI-DEPRESSANT!!! I took Lezapro for several months after my 2nd child and after my miscarriage as well. It only took me 1/2 of the starting dose but was just enough to bring me back to normal. This can also help you to cope, help normallize your hormone levels and helps you enjoy your precious family to the fullest!!

I think that you need to slow down you are dealing with a lot right now. I had 2 c-sections both horizontal and I have a saggy belly also. My youngest is 2. It will take a while. I do think that you should work out I do but mine is still there. I look at it as a proud badge of motherhood along with the stretch marks. I Bet if you asked your husband he would think that you are as sexy as you have ever been.

I am SO sorry for your loss. I had twin boys in July '07. I thought I was going to lose one, but thank the Lord, they are both doing well. I also had a csection, although mine was horizontal. (I have four children and all were csection) I haven't found any way to get rid of the tummy. Diet and exercise are of course always good. I know the depression that come with not liking the way your tummy looks, I went from a size 10 to a size 16 and am fighting that all the way. haha I hope someday to get back to a 10. Until then, I just focus on the positive and know that my husband still loves me no matter what his children have done to my figure :)

Hi M.-
You're a mother with unbelievable strength and courage (first of all). A C-section is very hard to recover from. You look you have a butt in the front. I know. I have it too. My little Angeleena is 5 months old, and my belly looks like I just got home from the hospital with her. Exercise and diet is what I hear will help, and most of all, TIME. I'm starting the gym and weight watchers on Monday, so I'll keep in touch and let you know if it helps at all after a while. I would also strongly suggest some sort of anti-depressant if you're not taking one. You have been through so much, and having a baby(s) takes a real toll on your body and mind. I'm glad to hear that the feeding tube is gone! That's a great sign. Hang in there and be strong.

M., nearly all of us who have had C sections are now disfigured. Actually I've never seen one that healed up "normal looking". You may have more children and need another one, like me. In the meantime, start saving your money for a tummy tuck. They cost between $5,000 and $9,000. (It may take you several years) Also start asking around and gathering names of good surgeons. Don't jump into this but ultimately, I believe Plastic repair may be the only way to restore your belly.

Wow, you've been through a lot lately! I am so sorry for your loss. I agree with the others that you should talk to your doctor about depression, and if you can, find a support group of other moms who have been through something similar. 5 months is not that long for your belly to recover, though if you're already down to a size 8, it sounds like you're doing well. You probably look much better than you think! You should make sure you are setting aside some time just for you, maybe join a gym or an aerobics class. I always feel less depressed and more energized after exercising. I hope this helps!

Hi, M.! My name is M.. I too have had repeat C-sections. And will have my 3rd in October. Saggyness comes with the territory. I hate it! I am looking for moms to walk with when the weather warms up, if you are in the Stillwater area, let me know!!

M.,

I didn't have to have an "old fashioned" c-section, but I did have to have a regular one when my 3 year old was born. Before I got pregnant I wore a 4 and had pretty muscley abs and a flat belly. Then, after I had him and had lost 20 pounds I went into the store feeling pretty good only to come out with a new pair of jeans in a size 10. I was not too happy about this, but I contiued breast-feeding and started to exercise again and as of last summer (just over two years after my son was born) I was back down to my before size. I didn't think my muscle tone would ever come back to my hangy belly, but to my surprise it has! I hope this helps to give you a little encouragement. I really believe that with a little time, you can have your old body back...

That goes both ways. I had the same cut because I had an existing scar yet still have the saggy tummy problem. My sister had the bikini (horizontal) cut and also has the issue. Strong stomach muscles going into the pregnancy and then working to regain them is our only option. When I really work on it, it flattens but it is so hard to keep up the older I get! I'd rather think of it as the combat scars of having my bundle of joy!

Hi there! I am truly sorry about your loss. I am a mother of 21 year old twin daughters and I know that would be the hardest thing to deal with the lose of one of them. My daughters was both 6 lbs 5 1/2 oz a piece so that was 13 lbs of baby all together. I also had to have a C-section but it was the bikini cut and my belly was very saggy too. I am a very petit person so I had a lot of stretching going on there so I got lots of stretch marks from it and I have the saggy belly. I did loss most of it but still have a wrinkly belly that won't go away but it doesn't sag like it did. Just try to do stuff to maybe tighten your belly muscles and it will make it look better. It will never look like it used to unless you have surgery but it will be better. I know it is a hard thing to look at and I still hate mine but I just try to look at my beautiful kids and just go on. Not much else you can do it's all part of being a mommy.

I agree to talk to your doctor about the baby blues. I was put on Zoloft after my daughter was born, and have been on it since (4 years). I handle situations so much better now than I used to and I just feel better all around. I know that I am a better mom because of the medicine. As for the saggy belly - join the crowd. I really don't mean that to sound rude, but I don't know many people (besides celebrities who can afford surgery), who are happy with their bellies after a baby. My daughter weighed 9 lbs 13 ozs and was delivered via c-section. My son weighed 9 lbs 8 ozs and was also delivered via c-section. My belly was stretched ALOT. My youngest is 16 months and my belly still sags. I have a ton of extra skin and even more stretch marks. I am really not trying to be rude (I know you've been through alot), but don't worry about it. It's just you belly, it's under your shirt, and the only person who will even see it is your husband, and you just gave him a child. He doesn't care, and loves you the way you are!! Hope this helps, and PLEASE, look into some anti-depressants!!!

I didn't have a c-section, but I (and I think most moms out there) can relate. Try not to be down about it... you're only 5 months postpartum. It takes 9 months for your stomach to get as big as it was, so it can take at least that or longer for it to go back. It took me 10 months to lose all the weight. I'm back in my old size, but things still don't fit the same, and I'm told they might not ever fit the same. I lost my weight by eating healthy and walking every day when it was warmer. My tummy still needs to firm up, ab work like crunches, and pilates help.

I'm sorry you're feeling so down, I do understand. I don't want to put my nose where it doesn't belong, but I'm concerned. If you haven't already, please talk to your doctor about feeling depressed. Postpartum depression sometimes takes a while before it rears it's ugly head.