The flap

[forshelby]

We all know what I'm talking about. That awful sagging flap of flesh where my tummy once was. My scar is very tidy, and despite their initial concerns of uretic injury, the drs did a bang up job. On that part anyway, lol. We'll just gloss over the rest this time! But what is up with my poor tummy?

It's like my stitches were too tight. I know this isn't the case, but my stomach was never perfectly flat. Now, right at the site of the scar, it is. Here's the problem- it doesn't match the floppy top lol.

As far as I know, it happens to all 'scalpel mamas'. But after 8 months, I'm over it. My tummy is so bulky at the bottom from the flappage and scar tissue, people ask me if I am pg . And I'm sick of every pair of pants, skirt, everything slipping down into what I call the cravass. It's uncomfortable, and my scar hurts when this happens.

So how do I reduce the flappage? Other than wearing granny knickers which come up so high they crush your ribs. No jokes. Am I forever doomed to hate my belly and be in pain from my clothes? What about another pg? Will my scar still hurt as much then? Will my belly sustain even worse damage? So many questions.

So, fellow ladies of the knife, enlighten me!

[NaeNae]

I ended up with what I called "the muffin top" or the "speed hump".

I hate my scar, it dents inwards and I will NEVER have a flat tummy because of it, there will always be that lip. It took quite a while for stuff to stop aggrivating it when undies or jeans etc slipped down into the cravass I cannot remember when exactly that was though. Its no longer painful but it is still uncomfortable.

I'll be honest though and say, 3 years on, I still hate things slipping down and have pretty much worn granny jocks since my section. Other pregnancies have annoyed me too and I will seek out over belly pants . Even photo's of my full term pregnancies you can STILL see the dint from the scar.

[forshelby]

Did I forget to mention I only want you to tell me what I wanted to hear?

I suspected this might just be how it's going to be. Excuse me while I go and put on my granny knickers.

[NaeNae]

HI cut pretties should be ok too ... I just haven't got any, but the mid range stuff will get pulled down by the scars tractor beam LOL

[forshelby]

It's like a vortex! Hi cut also fails, and winds up rolling into the ditch. There has to be something we can do to fix it!! Short of a tummy tuck. Or wearing our undies on the outside of our clothes. Thanks for the laugh though!

[Heaven]

I don't have that. I'm not sure if it was like that just after my c/s or not. My tummy was big for a while and has shrunk back down to close to normal. I never had a flat tummy either so it's not unusual but I don't have a crease or anything where the scar is. It's quite low down. So maybe it will eventually go away??

Almost 3 yrs later, my scar doesn't hurt at all either so for me that got better. Anything rubbing on it won't make it hurt at all. I have also been through another pregnancy since then and it was no different to the first one, didn't feel anything in the scar at all.

I hope that gives you some hope

[skybie]

I havent had a section but my belly has a flap too, too many big babies!

[Jennifer13]

Mine doesn't do that, so I'm not sure if you're stuck with it for life.

My ob did mention that he would 'neaten' up the scar if I ever needed a repeat c/s though. It went down on its own but I guess it's a little bulgier than some, since I don't scar very nicely. So although I hope you don't need another c/s - if you know you do, maybe ask if they can tidy things up then!

[KitFaerie]

My stomach went back to how it always was after 6 weeks (well it was bigger, but the same flatness!) My scar is just a silver line that I can't really see, and if I push on it I can feel some nodule things, but it doesn't hurt. I never got stretch marks or anything like that either, my Mum had 3 classic cut c-sections and hers puckered, but she never had stretch marks. Maybe some skin is just different?

I used to belly dance, so my abs were ok (under that layer of fat, they were ok, lol), and once I felt ok I was doing stomach exercises. I do feel that my shape has changed over all, but not really my stomach.

I did the Tracey Anderson method post-pregnancy work out, I found it pretty hardcore, but I could do it eventually.

Oh, I also had staples instead of stitches, cos my ob said that it would be neater.

[Jakabella]

Iv got it, still the same after nearly 3 years. I have heard its very hard to get rid of as the muscles just don't go back to normal after being cut. I'm on a major weightloss journey and have lost 7kgs so far... I'll let you know how it goes after I loose the next 20-30kgs!!

[Melbournemumma]

I had my 2nd c-section 5mths ago and while I have a fat tummy if I pull my tummy up to pretend it's flatter I don't have a dent. My scar is neat and quite small. It does ache a little if things rub on it. What makes my undies roll down is the fat tummy ABOVE the scar My scar is also down really low.

[~Raven~]

I havent had a section but my belly has a flap too, too many big babies!

I concur with this. I have the same thing and no c/sect

[Miss E]

I don't really have a dent either, my scar is pretty flat and unnoticable 2.5 years on. I know that when my CS was done my OB didn't cut through the muscles, he stretched them apart. I wonder if this is what makes the difference

[Beach Mama]

I have it, hate it and it's been over 3 years so I doubt it's going anywhere, sorry!!! The only time mine has minimised a bit is when I am carrying less weight, I am about 5 kgs more than I should be and when I had lost a bit it was definitely much better. I also had 2 large babies so not sure if that makes a difference and after 10lb DS it's definitely worse than it was with DD> xoxoxox

[RoyaUK]

3 babies, 3 (unwanted) c-sections, i think i'd call mine 'an apron'. Still look pregnant. It's most upsetting. Mind you i have another 10kgs to lose!

My mum also had 2 c-sections and 35 years later still has a 'flap'. Her muscles just never came back properly i guess. She finds she still needs to wear trousers (we're English!) with a side zip as it's easier on her belly & scar all these decades later.....

[Jewel]

I havent had a section but my belly has a flap too, too many big babies!

I concur with this. I have the same thing and no c/sect

Me too. I think mine has alot to do with my stretchies too.

[AnyDream]

I had major iss-ewes with mine in the months afterwards (it was so hangy it was festy) and I asked a dr about it. She said you can get it tidied up surgically later on. Depending on the problems you're having Medicare will sometimes pay for a resection, but there has to be some kind of medical need, otherwise you're on your own because it becomes cosmetic surg. In which case it's worth waiting until you've had all your babes and get a bit of a tuck done at the same time. Start saving now, it ain't cheap!!

[AnyDream]

Forgot to add, maybe I got fatter or something but 4 years later it's not too noticeable, I've got other bulgier bits that just never snapped back into place. Granny undies are GO!