post belly

AACaHa13

I have heard it takes longer for your belly to return back to somewhat normal because of a c section. I am only 2.5 months postpartum and I know it varies from person to person, but can you share your experience with this? I still dont feel it I am ready to exercise but is it possible there is some swelling still due to surgery? Thanks

zbeesma86

Yes there is swelling (not sure if there is at 2 months pp), but your entire body is adjusting to this- it takes some time. I know it's easier said than done, but be patient. I remember being numb for awhile and it took about 6 or 7 months to feel normal around my incision site.

I agree- everyone heals and bounces back differently and at their own speed. If you aren't ready to start working out- don't! There is no rush! Take it slow and go on walks- nothing high impact. I don't think I started back in the gym again until DD was 9 months or so. No worries mama.

edit- spacing

bubble520

My belly has been back to normal for many months... but the incision area is still numb..I'm 9.5 months pp

michellersayer

I started working out after 6 weeks and was back to my normal weight and size by 3 months.

spinsoffresonance

I'm 11months PP and my belly still looks 6 months pregnant even though I'm back at my pre pregnancy weight. Of course I haven't been to the gym once and I'm now 3 months pregnant, which doesn't help!!!

Martinez720

lica001 said:

I'm 11months PP and my belly still looks 6 months pregnant even though I'm back at my pre pregnancy weight. Of course I haven't been to the gym once and I'm now 3 months pregnant, which doesn't help!!!

Sounds like me ! I'm 5 months pp back to my pre pregnancy weight but look like I'm 5 months pregnant ... Still can't fit into my jeans ... So I'm still wearing maternity clothes ...even to work ...

slwprincess

To be honest, my belly didn't really start to tighten up again until after I weaned... Same with both kids. I'm one of those who doesn't lose weight while BF so I suspect hormones play a major role in post partum recovery time which means every person will be different.

HotChocolate79

I am still numb around the incision area at 1.5 years out... I am guessing that numbness will never go away.  For me, my belly went back to (mostly) normal around a year post partum and after I lost all the pregnancy weight.  I started exercising at 6 weeks out, but certainly wait until you feel ready.

AACaHa13

mommystephy said:

It seemed like mine started to shrink when I started using the Belly bandit I got it from therecoverykit.com

Is it too late to start seeing results if I do it now? I'm 12 weeks pp

DaisyTortilla

I am not sure. But I have heard that due to the abdominal muscles being pulled during surgery, you need to do certain exercises for csections to help it go down quicker. 

oxMO2xo

The belly bandit works wonders, I've noticed that when i wear it my belly shrinks and starts going back to normal but if i leave it off for a week or so it starts coming back. 

stefuge

With both of mine, I was back to my original weight within 6 weeks, but my stomach has never looked the same. This time around, I was walking at 3 weeks post surgery (with doctors permission) and exercising at 6 weeks post surgery (again, with doctors permission). I am back in all my old clothes now, at 11 weeks post surgery, but the muscle tone in my belly leaves something to be desired. As PP said, every one is different. Look at it as a badge of motherhood.

returnhomegnome

I've had two sections. I felt like I gave my body a break for the first three months because it was recovering from performing a MIRACLE. And surgery. That too.  

But seriously, my hormones were still re-setting, not to mention my ribs, hips... all of it. I only gained a/b 25lbs with each pregnancy and was told I looked great, so weight melted back off by 9 months all by itself... but the belly, with the bloat and the adjustments... I didn't do anything about it besides simple twists and bends (no sit ups or anything), until after the 6mo mark.  I felt my recoveries were very easy, and even the doctors told me I recovered remarkably well.  Give your body a chance. My experience is: If you are active and healthy, your body will do a lot of the work putting itself back together over time.

harmonicbabe26

It may be a totally individual thing, but I feel like yes my stomach was nowhere near back to normal until I was actually done bf-ing at 7 months pp. whereas a friend of mine who had a vag delivery around the same time had her old flat stomach back at 6 weeks pp. and I believe Kate Middleton had hers even quicker haha... But now I'm back to my old normal flat tummy and wearing pp size 2. I think each body is different.

stephbethpeth

I am 9.5 months pp and my belly isn't even close to what it use to be. I just started really working out again about 3 weeks ago. I had pretty serious pain a  few months ago when i attempted going back to my normal workout. My doctor said that is normal for some women, and to give myself some credit, as i had abdominal surgery. Hang in there, it will get better

mominwaiting29

Martinez720 said:

lica001 said:

I'm 11months PP and my belly still looks 6 months pregnant even though I'm back at my pre pregnancy weight. Of course I haven't been to the gym once and I'm now 3 months pregnant, which doesn't help!!!

Sounds like me ! I'm 5 months pp back to my pre pregnancy weight but look like I'm 5 months pregnant ... Still can't fit into my jeans ... So I'm still wearing maternity clothes ...even to work ...

This is me too! I'm 2 months pp and 10lbs less than starting weight and I still look 5 months pregnant! I started doing crunches but was told that if you crunch and your belly forms a peak that your abs are not ready for workouts. I feel redicilous and it is depressing. I hope it goes away!!!

mominwaiting29

Martinez720 said:

lica001 said:

I'm 11months PP and my belly still looks 6 months pregnant even though I'm back at my pre pregnancy weight. Of course I haven't been to the gym once and I'm now 3 months pregnant, which doesn't help!!!

Sounds like me ! I'm 5 months pp back to my pre pregnancy weight but look like I'm 5 months pregnant ... Still can't fit into my jeans ... So I'm still wearing maternity clothes ...even to work ...

This is me too! I'm 2 months pp and 10lbs less than starting weight and I still look 5 months pregnant! I started doing crunches but was told that if you crunch and your belly forms a peak that your abs are not ready for workouts. I feel redicilous and it is depressing. I hope it goes away!!!

RDK24

I'm 4 months pp and still have the darn belly as well. Had to buy "curvy" jeans for the first time in my life. Pretty depressing (and wish I had a timeline for when my stomach will be more normal again) but trying to think of the bigger picture and that my LO is absolutely worth it.