Is it harder to lose weight after a c-section? I had mine almost 3 months ago and my stomach still looks like I am about 4 1/2 months pregnant! I feel like I am stuck at my current weight which I hate! I have been watching what I eat and walking on the treadmill but nothing seems to change! Does anyone have any advice on how to lose the weight? ↓
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Name: Celestia | Date: Mar 10th, 2005 1:25 AM
I had twin boys just over a month ago by a C section. I have lost about 20 pounds since delivery but still have about 25 pounds to go. If you look at me, I don't seem that big, but nothing worse then having someone ask me when my baby is due. I have been hearing that it is hard because they cut threw your muscle and you will always have that buldge.
There has to be something that can be done. 25% of women deliver using a C Section, there must be a way to lose the stomech area and feel good again. Please share ↑
Name: P | Date: Mar 10th, 2005 2:46 AM
I heard wearing control top underwear helps with the pain and also with the stomach returning to a semi pre-pregnancy shape. It will take time though. My friend had twins via c-section January 2004 and she's looking just about back to normal. She is pretty small to begin with and her babies were both over 6 lbs. I'm having my c-section this Friday Mar. 11th. I hope I don't look too doughy after. ↑
Name: Hilary | Date: Mar 10th, 2005 1:45 PM
I have been stuck at the same weight for 6 wks now. I lost 20 up front and still have 20 to go. This was my first c-section and I wish I didn't have one. My other two births I recovered weight wise by this time. AGHHHH! What to do? ↑
Name: Tina | Date: Mar 12th, 2005 11:24 AM
I gained 65+ pounds and I was not that big when I got pregnant with twins. I have lost 45 so far and i have 20 to go. I delivered in Jan. I think it is hard to loose weight, period. But contrary to what another person wrote. Your abdominal muscles run vertical and you do not have them cut during a c-section. They are just moved over not cut through. You will loose the weight! Give yourself at least 9 months. Thats how long it took to put on the weight give yourself at least that long to loose it. Oh and pilates are great for toning the stomach muscles along with the treadmill you will be looking hot by summer:) ↑
Name: C | Date: Mar 23rd, 2005 6:09 AM
My baby is 9 months an dI had a C section with both my girls 23 months apart! I had not lost the weight from the first baby. My doctors and midwife told me it takes 9 months to put the weight on but it takes twice as long for it to come off! The flabby belly is really doing my head in. I exercise and eat healthy too. ↑
Name: Anna | Date: Mar 24th, 2005 5:00 PM
My baby is 4 months old and I still have that flabby overhang belly. I only have 4 lbs left to lose but that belly still isn't gone, I'm not sure how to make that go away. ↑
Name: Clara | Date: Mar 26th, 2005 8:15 PM
Count your carbs. Don't eat or drink more than 35 carbs per day. You'll lose 3-7 lbs. per week. It REALLY works! ↑
Name: kimberly | Date: Apr 11th, 2005 1:46 PM
I just had twins in Feb and I gained 80 pounds and still have 30 left to loose. I haven't lost any weight since I stopped breast feeding!! I am really hoping to loose more weight by summer time, since my clothes don't fit. I will take any suggestions too about the weight loss. ↑
Name: liz | Date: Apr 12th, 2005 8:37 PM
I had my baby in december by a c-section, I gained 20 pounds when I was pregnant and I have lost 40 pounds and its now april. I also have been breastfeeding. ↑
Name: sarita | Date: Apr 15th, 2005 10:19 AM
i had one 6 yrs ago and i refused to wear the restrictive "support" girdle thingie they gave me. Now my flabby sack of a tummy and "apron of fat" remind me why support after a c-section is necessary. I am not THAT overweight..its just all kinda like extra skin there:D ↑
Name: C | Date: Apr 20th, 2005 12:58 AM
I just had a C Section just two weeks ago and my stomach is turning back to normal already I gained a few stretch marks afterwards but some maderma with a nice belly rub does some help. Not to mention I have not done anything but slept and lie in the bed... also the stomach support gurddle thing does help, wear it drink plenty of ice cold water and exercise if you please...and i believe the pounds will melt away surely... but remember don't stress yourself because stress helps with weight GAIN.
HOPE THIS HELPS... GOOD LUCK! ↑
Name: D | Date: Apr 25th, 2005 11:28 PM
I too am in the same situation. I need to know how to loose this extra weight. After my c-section I lost almost all the weight untill I got on the pill then it seem to all come back..SCARY!! how do I stop it...and what is this about girdle...I had no idea ..no one ever mentioned that to me..where, what kind do I buy ↑
Name: Shalyn | Date: Apr 26th, 2005 10:12 AM
I had a c-section in November 2003. I only gained 10 lbs the whole pregnancy (I am bigger to begin with). By my 6 week appointment I had lost about 30 lbs........so I was 20 lbs lighter than I was before I even got pregnant. I don't know how normal that is, but I also breast fed the first 6 weeks so that helps also. I still do have the bulge from being pregnant though. It is just a bunch of loose skin. Don't know how to get rid of it! It is depressing! ↑
Name: Kiya | Date: Apr 26th, 2005 12:43 PM
hey jeni, I just had a c-section 2 1/2 mts ago and I know what you are going through. You have to remember to be patient also. It did not take you 3 mts to gain the weight and it will take more than that before you are back the way you want to be. I know people always say let the weight be a reminder of the beautiful baby you had etc... but you are thinking the hell with that, if Heidi Klume did it than I want to look like that too. I have doing a massive amount of crunches (about 60 a day) and an activity I learned when I was in the army we called "flutter kicks" where you lay flat on your back with your arms under you and your hands under your but and you swing your legs up and down 2 inches off the ground. You can really feel your abs working on that one. I have noticed my stomach going down and my husband has also; and I have only been able get back to working out for 3 wks. So keep doing what you are doing but also do excersizes that focus on your stomach. ↑
Name: Julie | Date: May 4th, 2005 3:06 PM
My first born was vaginal, then with my second I had a c-section. It doesn't really take longer to lose the weight, but it does take longer for the skin and muscles to get back in place. My daughter is two now and things are pretty much back together. ↑
Name: Maya | Date: May 4th, 2005 5:18 PM
You could start by sit-ups. I remember after my first c-section I did sit-ups (only 18 months after, I started late) and got a somewhat flat stomach within 3 months! ↑
Name: jennifer | Date: May 5th, 2005 9:50 AM
Most of what is left is skin not fat, you cant loose extra flap it has to be cut off via tummy tuck. It also takes at least a year for your body to get back to normal this is hormones and all. Like I always tell my patients men don't like little skinny women anyway they really appreciate curves. ↑
Name: Kristin | Date: May 9th, 2005 5:09 PM
I had my baby c-section 6 weeks ago and lost 27 pounds in the first 2 weeks. I gained 11 pounds during my pregnancy. My tummy sticks out though and I have lots of stretch marks. ↑
Name: Caryn | Date: May 9th, 2005 9:04 PM
Count the carbs and the weight does come off. I notice the weight difference on the days that I have more carbs than I should. I have about 20 pounds to go and I just gave birth via c-section 3 weeks ago tomorrow. ↑
Name: Heather | Date: May 19th, 2005 9:49 AM
This is my third c section and I am very afraid that I will never get my body back to normal. With my 1st child, which was 7 years ago, I went from 126 lbs to 198 lbs. I never really lost all of the weight, but I was very happy with what my body looked like. With my second child I went from around 135 to 210. I stayed stable at 150 lbs after giving birth. I was never really happy with my body after that. Now I went from 150 to 220. I had my third c section April 25 this year. My weight last week was 198. So I have lost about 22 lbs. I am not worried about how much I weigh, but about the over hang of skin (and fat I guess) that is over my scar. I was cut 3 times in the same area. Do they cut through the muscle or do they just move the muscle aside during the surgery? I am very anxious to start exercise and diet, but it has only been three weeks. Is it ok? Do control top garments really help to lose the weight or do they hider the weightloss process because your muscles do not have to work as hard since they are supported? If I would need to get a tummy tuck, how long should I try on my own before resorting to that? This is the most depressing thing to have to deal with. ↑
Name: Christina | Date: Jun 2nd, 2005 11:43 PM
I had twin daughters via c-section May 2002. I lost a lot of the weight after they were born but had an extra 12 that took me a year to get off. My belly was looking a little better (the doctor told me to work out to get my tummy back but I hate to work out so I never worked out.) I just had my third daughter 3 months ago and for the past 3 weeks I have been working out like crazy and watching what I eat. I have not lost any wieght but I am able to fit into some of my old clothes. My belly is going down but I still have that ugly belly roll. It makes me sick. I don't think I will ever be able to wear a bikini again. The skin also looks very saggy. Will that go away with exercise or is a tummy tuck the only option. I am only 29 and it is sad to think that I will never again wear a bikini. Plus I want to look good for my husband. In my eyes all he see's is my ugly flabby belly but he swears that it doesn't matter to him. I guess we should all try not to be too hard on ourselves, we did just have babies. ↑
Name: Jenni | Date: Jun 3rd, 2005 12:48 AM
Just be patient. It takes some time. I have had 3 c-sections. You have to remmber that when we get this done they have to cut threw the muscle & it will never go back together but that does not mean we can't get back that flat unprunny tummy we once had. Cardio works great with getting rid of the fat. Also reverse crunches really make a difference. They biggest part is staying consistant with it. I am now finally down to my last 6 pounds & inch wise I am smaller than before. Don't lose hope just be patient & consistant. Hope this helps. :) ↑
Name: michelle | Date: Jun 6th, 2005 12:03 AM
I don't but I am in the same boat. I am not quite doing all that exercizing but I am stuck at a weight and I had mine in March 21 c-section. What do we do?
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Name: me | Date: Jun 7th, 2005 2:22 AM
I am getting ready for my 2nd c section and yes they do cut through the muscle if you get a verticle cut, my daughter was an emergency c-section and i was cut the old fashion way it took me a year to get back to a size 10 i was a 9 before that, it comes with patience. I only cut carbs and and did Curves for women for 3 months. I never lost the pouch but it was alot smaller and easy to hide. It eventually gets wider and not so protruding. The support underware do really help, the best bet is to just watch what you eat, I ate what I wanted just small portions and not to late at night. IT is very hard for me to loose weight and I did. But be careful it is sooooooooooo easy to gain it back before this pregancy I was pushing a size 13 , my girlfreind did the same she lost her weight and slowly over a year not doing anything different it came back. It really is all in the carbs and just alittle excersize but you cant quit. Good luck and pray that I can loose it this time too. ↑
Name: lilmum | Date: Jun 7th, 2005 5:32 PM
The first thing i would like to say (and please don't think i'm being rude), is be realistic. 6 weeks is not a realistic expectation. Try 6 months, with vaginal or c-sec. My doctor told me 3lbs a week if your breastfeeding, and 1 -2lbs a week if your not, is IDEAL. Losing weight too fast, especially on a low carb diet, is very hard on your body, and once you reach the weight you want and relax, your body takes that oppertunity to put the pounds back on in fear of another rapid weightloss. The first week or two, you should lose alot of weight (around 10lbs) because your body is getting rid of the excess blood and water. After that, go slow and steady. #2 Exercises like Pilates, or Yoga are really great after pregnancy because they retone your muscles, especially adominals, which are obviously pretty stretched out. They make you feel good, give you more energy and speeds up your metabolism. Trust me, I was back to my size 5's after 6 months and i have no flap to speak of. #3 Take walks every day. It sounds like alot of work with a new baby, i know, but it's worth it for you and your baby. Make it a bonding experience for you and baby, show your new person the world, they haven't seen it yet! Plus, fresh air makes babies sleepy, so if you can take them out in the evening, talk to them and keep them awake while your out, come home, feed them and give them a bath, that baby will sleep GREAT. #4 Don't stress over it! Taking a couple extra weeks or months to get the weight off isn't a big deal and a few pounds is nothing to make yourself sick over. Just keep yourself motivated and remember how wonderful you are (you did just create a life you know), because just FEELING good will make you look good too.I hope some of this will help you, i wish you luck, and congradulations on the new baby. ↑
Name: terri-lynn | Date: Jun 29th, 2005 12:12 AM
i had my first c-sec back in 1999 and it took me almost 3 years to get back to my normal weight. i have now recently had another c-sec. 10 weeks ago. i weighed about 140 by the end of my pregnancy, lost about 15 lbs in my first week then gained another 5. its so hard. i have a hard time getting motivasted due to pain and fatigue. ↑
Name: brittney | Date: Sep 9th, 2005 12:50 AM
i just had my c-section last week and have already lost 29 lbs. i am concerned that i am loosing weight too fast because i have done nothing to loose weight. my diet hasnt changed and i actually sleep most of the day. i lost 7 lbs. in less than two days. is it healthy to loose that much so fast? i am really concerned about it. ↑
Name: Jamie | Date: Sep 9th, 2005 1:15 PM
Brittney- most of the weight is baby and waterweight. I've lost 40 pounds in 4 weeks after a C-section. The first 20 pounds came off in the first 4 days. ↑
Name: james | Date: Sep 19th, 2005 9:49 AM
i lost 6 stone in half year u am slim now but the problem is i still have a really flabby belly what can i do ↑
Name: E | Date: Sep 23rd, 2005 3:06 PM
I love reading these because it really helps me to know other people have gone through it too. There is just one thing I want all of you to know. You are so very blessed. I had a c-section and we lost our little one about a half hour later. Please, Please be greatful for having a little one to help you forget about the pain and annoyances of a c-section. ↑
