Anyone else experiencing body-image issues?

tradition*30 · April 2011

It's only been about 2.5 weeks since I delivered LO via unexpected C-Section, so I know that my body is still healing/recovering, but I'm having a really hard time with the way my body, specifically my stomach, looks right now. I'm already less than 7lbs away from my pre-preg weight and I've always been pretty confident with my self-image but between the stretch marks and jello-effect I've got going on, I'm just having a really difficult time with this. I'm worried that it won't improve much and most importantly, that DH will be turned off by it as much as I am (even though he tries to reassure me that he still thinks I'm beautiful). Maybe it's all just part of these new emotions after L&D, but anyone else feel this way?

sarahdee678 · April 2011

This is exactly how I feel, too. I even back to my pre-pregnancy weight and I still feel like my stomach is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. None of my clothes fit, which makes it even harder. My maternity clothes are too big in the hips, thighs and butt, but my non-maternity clothes won't fit my belly. I hate the way my belly jiggles and looks like a wrinkly prune. I won't even let my husband see my belly right now. I can't wait until I get cleared to start working out again.

kje120 · April 2011

I'm not loving my body right now either. I'm back in all my regular clothes, but I hate how my belly looks. I really need to start working out again and tone back up.

SandiaPinaMama · April 2011

Yes, I'm struggling, too. I've got about 20 lbs to lose. For me, I'm worried about the mushy middle and saggy boobs. I wanted to tell you though that things in stomach got much better around 4 weeks pp. Have hope. I have been walking every single day, but I think biology is what helped my belly, not exercise.

misssurly · April 2011

Feeling the same... delivered my LO via unexpected c-section as well... I didn't get stretch marks until the last couple weeks of my pregnancy and my jelly belly with stretch marks isn't making me feel great right now. I am trying to look at it like a badge of honour and remind myself that I am only just over 2 weeks into recovery from major surgery!! We'll have time to work on the bellies after a few more weeks and tone up.

I have just a few pounds more to my pre-pregnancy weight but am living in my maternity pants still. So much more comfortable on the incision and tender tummy. We'll feel better soon, try to give yourself a break until your recovery is done

kellyc07 · April 2011

I am 20lbs away from my pre pregnancy weight

I hate the way I look, I can only it into sweat pants,, and I have to fit into my wedding dress in 27 days

I ordered it last July before I even knew I was pregnant. It is very dicouraging

lhicks13 · April 2011

Same here, Monday will be 2 weeks since my unexpected csection. I am about 15 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight (i gained a total of 40) and I hattteeee my stomach right now. It's so weird, cause when I'm dressed and I look at myself from the side, all I can think is "damn i'm small" but then i turn for a frontal view, and I see my huge jiggly belly hanging and it makes me feel absolutely disgusting. I'm so used to my stomach sticking so far out I guess, I'll stick to looking at myself from the side.lol.

APrice4UT · April 2011

It took a few months to get my body back after my son. And honestly my body is different then before. I go with the thinking 9 months on, 9 months off. You'll get there in time.

MissLadyTay · April 2011

YES. I'm back to pre-pregnant weight. Went to try on my regular pants and my hips have DEF spread. There is a five inch gap where the zipper should meet. I couldn't believe it. I'm going to have to buy a whole new wardrobe. MH can't wait for us to get the all-clear for sex, and all I can think is that we're going to have to do it in total darkness.

htuzzi324 · April 2011

MissLadyTay:
YES. I'm back to pre-pregnant weight. Went to try on my regular pants and my hips have DEF spread. There is a five inch gap where the zipper should meet. I couldn't believe it. I'm going to have to buy a whole new wardrobe. MH can't wait for us to get the all-clear for sex, and all I can think is that we're going to have to do it in total darkness.

This exactly. I even tried on my "fat" pants and they didn't fit. I can't wait to be able to exercise again. And the total darkness is the only way I'm going to be able to feel comfortable enough to have sex.

yesthisiskim · April 2011

I'm 10lbs heavier than mt pre-pg weight but fitting in my pre-pg clothes. I want to vomit each time I look at my body in the mirror, especially when I'm naked. I avoided stretch marks and didn't have a c-section but I feel unproportionate, my boobs are deflated nastyness, my hips are HUGE, my hair looks beyond dead. DH pulls the "I think you're beautiful no matter what" card and anticipates PP sex with me. I am constantly describing myself feeling like an anorexic pg woman because I look soooo skinny when I can still imagine myself with a big beautiful belly.

lilylow · April 2011

My stomach jiggles like jello. It's extremely unattractive to me, but for some reason my husband still finds me attractive. I'm hoping to get the OK for exercise at my pp appointment. I NEED to tone up! I want to exercise now, but I know that it would cause more harm then good right now since I had a c-section and don't want to injure myself.

My H did promise me a jogging stroller when I get the OK from the doctor. I'm holding him to it as well! I plan on pulling it out and using it as soon as the doctor OKs me.

RunningGal900 · April 2011

lhicks13:
Same here, Monday will be 2 weeks since my unexpected csection. I am about 15 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight (i gained a total of 40) and I hattteeee my stomach right now. It's so weird, cause when I'm dressed and I look at myself from the side, all I can think is "damn i'm small" but then i turn for a frontal view, and I see my huge jiggly belly hanging and it makes me feel absolutely disgusting. I'm so used to my stomach sticking so far out I guess, I'll stick to looking at myself from the side.lol.

This. From the side I look great. Big boobs, small stomach. From the front it's a whole different story. I'm looking forward to nicer weather so I can start walking. My Dr said no running or more intense exercise for 6 weeks. I have my college reunion right at 6 weeks so hopefully I can get some dresses that cover my belly.

lovelylinz · April 2011

It took 9 1/2 months for your belly to get really big and it takes about that long for it to go back, even if you loose the weight faster. You have to wait for all of those body cells to expire and for your belly to shrink back. By 6 or 9 months out, you will look amazingly different than you do now.

LadyXaverian · April 2011

lovelylinz:
It took 9 1/2 months for your belly to get really big and it takes about that long for it to go back, even if you loose the weight faster. You have to wait for all of those body cells to expire and for your belly to shrink back. By 6 or 9 months out, you will look amazingly different than you do now.

This is what I'm holding on to. I don't love how I look right now, but like Drea said, I'm trying to be kind to myself. And DH is very complimentary, which helps.

shaindelr · April 2011

I had Liam 4/4--so three weeks ago as of this coming Monday, and I'm 44 lbs above my pre-pregnancy weight. YIKES. I know.

Today was the first nice day weather-wise, so I went out and took a little walk with Liam in the Baby K'Tan, but I still only walked a few blocks up the hill we live on and back. I stopped to talk to one of my neighbors who has two kids and who used her jogging stroller religiously hiking the hills around here. She said she gained 65 lbs with her second pregnancy, and honestly, to me, she looks like she's probably at her pre-pregnancy weight, so that's my hope.

I'm still wearing my maternity jeans b/c nothing else will fit, and shirts are a nightmare because pre-pregnancy I wore either an XS or a Small Petite, so nothing covers my tummy...

As soon as I'm allowed to really hit the gym, I'm there!

Anyone else experiencing body-image issues?

Re: Anyone else experiencing body-image issues?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards