abs and c-sections

sunsetbeach

Cathlete
Has anyone out there gotten their abs back after a c-section? I've had 2 and have been trying to get my abs back in shape for 10 years! My husband wants me to get lipo and I am determined to get them back with alot of exercise. He thinks that it is impossible since stomach muscles were cut. Appreciate any feedback.
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Sep-27-02 AT 11:55PM (Est)[/font][p]Hi!
Muscle usually heals quite well after the surgery. If it's the extra fat that's covering your ab muscles, then you have to loose fat for the muscle to show its defenition. It is very possible to loose fat and strengthen your abdominal by exercise and proper food intake regardless of prior history of abdominal surgery. :)
 
Thanks bfj,
Yes, there is a stubborn layer of fat there but I have very strong muscles so I'll keep focusing on the food aspect. Thanks for the encouragement.:)
 
Hi - I had 2 c-sections (11 & 12 years ago) and am very satisfied with my abs. Right now, I have just a little extra fat covering my mid-section, but in the recent past, have gotten very good definition after eating healthy (lean protein with every meal, lots of veggies and some fruit, small amount of complex carbs, drinking LOTS of water and getting the good oils), making sure I get enough cardio, and strength training 2-3 days weekly, working my abs anywhere from 4-6 times a week @ 5-15 minute sessions.

I found that primarily, cardio which burns the fat is my biggest ally. Then, the toning aspect comes in and I've found a mix of different exercises works. Planks, traditional abwork and Pilates/Yoga produced great results when I do them consistently. I love the plankwork contained with the CTX series.

I will say however, that there is a little bit of loose skin that won't go away, but it really is barely noticeable because I've found that with drinking tons of water and with the ab exercises, that skin does seem to tighten up. It's very do-able! I never thought I'd be happy with my mid-section, but I am. I'm actually quite happy with the results I've achieved using Cathe tapes, and I didn't think that would happen.

Lipo just removes the fat, I found that the loose skin is really the culprit, but like I said above, that loose skin really can be tightened up with hydration and exercise.
 
I haven't had any c-sections, but have had three abdominal surgeries. You can certainly flatten things out with a clean diet and exercise. I've seen great improvement with Pilates (in the studio with the equipment, and the home mat routine) which really gets you to work the lower abs. Crunches won't do as much for the area where your c-section incisions probably are.

I don't know that you can ever totally eliminate the "puckering" around the scars, however. On my tummy, the fat can't seem to accumulate as much right under the scars, so it likes to lump right around them. I had to toss some pants after the first couple of surgeries that fit fine except right across the lower abs there.

Your husband must have seen the recent interview with Patricia Heaton (of "Everybody Loves Raymond") who had lipsuction after four c-sections and trying to fit into Emmy night dresses. ;-)

So tell your husband that you can look great, but your abdomen is never going to look exactly as it did before. But with all the risks associated with surgery, lipsuction included, is it really worth it?

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/pyth.gif Gretchen
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. Sounds like there is hope! I definitely agree that surgery is not worth the risk. Those plank exercises seem to really be strengthening my abs. I am going to the Florida Keys in December. My goal is to wear a tankini with some abs showing. I am muscular everywhere else, the abs are definitely stubborn but you guys all give me inspiration to keep at it. Thanks!:)
 
Hi! I have had two babies, though no C-sections. However, I still can not show my mid section because I have an incredible amount of loose skin around the belly button (I had big babies!). Anyway, I asked my doctor how long it would take to get back to normal and she said the only thing to help would be a tummy tuck, she said she could feel my abs were rock hard (which made me smile, no doubt!).

Anyway, I know everyone seems to be saying you can get it back, but I tend to believe my doctor. After the first baby, they went back, but once the skin is stretched out so much, it's not going back on its own!

I still haven't decided on the tummy tuck. I still want more kids, so no sense in doing it before I'm all done with that....
 

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