What is the flap?!

2-Step · September 2011

I had a c-section with DS, but I guess I never got the flap and I'm not sure what it is. I am scared with everyone talking about this flap now that I am having c-section #2! I am tall and do have a very long body and I did a TON of ab work following my first c-section so all I really have is a small scar and no flapping or folding. What exactly is the flap? Did you still have it after losing all the weight, even if you had a flat stomach to begin with? Should I be scared?

shouldbworkin · September 2011

I think you probably don't have it b/c you're tall. I'm short and carried both kids straight out in front, from the top of my pubic bone to right under my ribs with no room in between. The damage was done by PG, not the c/s. But, my crooked c/s scar doesn't help much.

ashley0616 · September 2011

The flap, at least to me, is loose, fatty skin leftover from pregnancy/c-section(s) that hangs down past where your tummy should go. It's gross, frankly. I hate mine more than any other flaw on my body.

Like PP, I carried both girls out in front. I didn't have a flat tummy by any means pre-pregnancy, but the little pooch that I had paled in comparison to what I have now. I gained about 30lbs with each pregnancy, I had just reached pre-pregnancy weight when I found out I was pg with #2 but the flap was still there. Now, 19 months after the birth of #2, it's still there and not going anywhere fast. I recently lost about 30 pounds and though my jeans are big in the butt and thighs, I only lost about 1/2" off my waist/hip area because of the flap. It's stubborn! Smile

BUT, that said, if you had a flat tummy beforehand and no flap from your first, I wouldn't worry about it.

ambs21 · September 2011

ashley0616:
The flap, at least to me, is loose, fatty skin leftover from pregnancy/c-section(s) that hangs down past where your tummy should go. It's gross, frankly. I hate mine more than any other flaw on my body.
Like PP, I carried both girls out in front. I didn't have a flat tummy by any means pre-pregnancy, but the little pooch that I had paled in comparison to what I have now. I gained about 30lbs with each pregnancy, I had just reached pre-pregnancy weight when I found out I was pg with #2 but the flap was still there. Now, 19 months after the birth of #2, it's still there and not going anywhere fast. I recently lost about 30 pounds and though my jeans are big in the butt and thighs, I only lost about 1/2" off my waist/hip area because of the flap. It's stubborn!
BUT, that said, if you had a flat tummy beforehand and no flap from your first, I wouldn't worry about it.

Yep, this. I was bigger pre-pg and actually lost a lot of weight during pg. I ended up 9 lbs total with DD. I'm now down about 35 lbs. from pre-pg weight this time around. So... not gaining a ton of weight doesn't keep the flap from coming. I hate it. I hope to have a tummy tuck after I'm finished having babies. I don't think it's so much of an issue for people who had flat bellies pre-pg, though. Good luck!

KW12 · September 2011

It's from extra skin. When you're incision is sewn back up the skin is pulled taught so sometimes the extra skin above the scar line can be looser than the skin below it. But I've heard about plenty of women who started with a little bit of an overhang and it went away after a couple months postpartum.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · September 2011

I had this after ds, but a combination of exercise and diet helped it go away. Exercise helps tighten the skin, which you probably know if you work out, if it isn't too far "gone". Losing weight alone simply won't do it. The stretch marks on the other hand...lol. I also have a shorter torso, and my stomach when pregnant sticks straight out.

g00dg0llymsm0lly · September 2011

ambs21:
I hope to have a tummy tuck after I'm finished having babies. I don't think it's so much of an issue for people who had flat bellies pre-pg, though. Good luck!

I had a super flat stomach pre-preg, w/ abs and everything, and I still got the flap! No one is safe lol. I'm hoping for an eventual tummy tuck too.

annabelle.27 · September 2011

I had never heard of it before this board, either- there is no "flap" from my c-section. I'm not tall or lean, either.

ambs21 · September 2011

g00dg0llymsm0lly:
ambs21:
I hope to have a tummy tuck after I'm finished having babies. I don't think it's so much of an issue for people who had flat bellies pre-pg, though. Good luck!
I had a super flat stomach pre-preg, w/ abs and everything, and I still got the flap! No one is safe lol. I'm hoping for an eventual tummy tuck too.

Well, that actually makes me feel a bit better! I'm glad it's not just because I was't in great shape pre-pg! Someday I'll have a flat stomach (although now that it's covered in stretch marks it won't be as exciting!), but that's probably a long way away.

indika236 · September 2011

I totally got the flap. I carried DD super low, like I have stretch marks well below my incision. It seems to be getting better, but it is definitely a flap. Not sure which is worse, the stretch marks or the flap, lol.

salsa_wifey · September 2011

shouldbworkin:
I think you probably don't have it b/c you're tall. I'm short and carried both kids straight out in front, from the top of my pubic bone to right under my ribs with no room in between. The damage was done by PG, not the c/s. But, my crooked c/s scar doesn't help much.

I'm short and I don't have the flap. I never even heard about it until my cousin mentioned it to me.

mrsw23 · October 2011

I'm tall too and didn't experience this, but I stayed in pretty good shape during my pregnancy. "The flap" that's a horrible name btw! lol

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