How do I get rid of my C-section belly?
The cesarean method is a surgery in which the layers in the mother's abdomen are opened with an incision, and the baby is removed from the uterus. As an alternative to normal birth and in cases where normal birth is risky for some reasons, cesarean birth can be preferred. However, some mothers feel uncomfortable with the appearance of the belly area after this surgical procedure. The sagging that occurs in the abdominal muscles, fat layer and skin layer in the belly area after birth is a condition that women complain about.
Essentially, this situation experienced after a cesarean section and normal birth is a natural process. However, almost every woman wants to return to her physique before birth. And every mother who wants can do this with Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Selçuk Yılmaz in Antalya Turkey.
In this article, we tried to answer questions such as why does a cesarean belly form, how is a cesarean belly melted, how is a cesarean belly melted.
Why does a cesarean belly occur? Why my tummy getting bigger after a C-section?
A cesarean belly occurs due to changes in the mother's abdominal muscles, fat layer, and skin during pregnancy, depending on the baby's development. The tissues we are talking about reach their maximum level of flexibility when the 9th month of pregnancy is reached. The stitches used after a cesarean delivery fix the incision sites in the flexible tissues to each other. However, in this case, the sagging in the abdominal area above the stitches becomes more noticeable. Therefore, the appearance called a cesarean belly occurs, partly due to the effect of the stitches.
Does a cesarean belly occur after every cesarean surgery? Does everyone have sagging belly after cesarean section?
Yes, a cesarean belly occurs after every cesarean surgery. As mentioned above, the stitch line placed in the shadow of the abdomen, which has been stretched well, causes sagging in this area.
Does a cesarean belly go away on its own? How long does a C-section belly take to go down?
In some women, the cesarean belly will go away on its own after a certain period of time. This is a completely individual situation and the most important thing is how long it will take for the belly to go away. Metabolic rates vary from person to person. In some women, the cesarean belly is seen to go away on its own in 2-3 months, while in others, a noticeable belly may remain even after 1-2 years.
Factors affecting the spontaneous resolution of a cesarean belly
The time it takes for a cesarean belly to resolve on its own varies depending on the following factors:
- Mother's age: The younger the mother, the quicker it will take for the cesarean belly to go away on its own. Since the elasticity and vitality of the skin is very high in young mothers, it is quicker for the abdominal area to recover and reach its pre-pregnancy form. However, if the mother is older, the abdominal area will take much longer to return to its previous state. In some cases, it may happen that the abdominal area does not return to its previous state on its own.
- Weight during pregnancy: The mother's pre-pregnancy weight and the weight she gained during pregnancy are effective in getting rid of the cesarean belly in the later period. The abdominal area of women who are not overweight in their normal lives and who achieve ideal weight gain month by month during pregnancy will return to its previous state more quickly.
- Breastfeeding pattern: Mothers who start breastfeeding their babies after birth and continue this regularly will get rid of the belly that forms after cesarean surgery more quickly.
- Genetic characteristics: The duration of belly loss varies in some women depending on genetic characteristics such as skin structure, metabolic rate and tendency to gain weight.
How to melt cesarean belly? How to flatten tummy after a C-section?
Cesarean belly melting can be done in two ways: natural methods and surgical methods. The effectiveness of these methods, especially the natural ones, varies from person to person depending on the factors that affect the time it takes for the cesarean belly to go away on its own. For this reason, you may see women around you who say that they melted their cesarean belly with natural methods in a short time without the need for surgical intervention. There are many cases where it is not possible to melt the belly without surgical intervention despite using the same methods.
In order to get rid of belly fat and to melt cesarean belly in a healthy way, it is necessary to get support from a specialist doctor. You can melt belly fat in a short time with the method suitable for you under the supervision of a doctor. Now let's examine how to melt belly fat with natural and surgical methods:
Cesarean belly melting with natural methods
The most worrying thing for expectant mothers is how to get rid of the postpartum weight. It is of course possible to get rid of these pounds in the natural process. Especially those who gave birth by cesarean want to try natural methods first regarding melting belly fat. What can be done to melt the cesarean belly with natural methods are as follows:
Applying an exercise program
It is essential to apply a gradual exercise program to get rid of excess weight and melt the belly. After the cesarean section, light exercises should be started after the stitches heal with the approval of the gynecologist. First, it should be started with light walks and gradually continued with activities such as running and swimming. When the cesarean incision site is completely healed, exercises that will directly work the abdominal area should be done. Exercises such as plank, crunch, push-ups and squats help both to melt belly fat and to develop the abdominal muscles and help the abdominal area recover quickly.
Regular and balanced nutrition
Regular and balanced nutrition is effective in melting belly fat and preventing weight gain. Staying away from packaged foods, reducing consumption of floury, sugary and fatty foods is beneficial in melting fat. A diet based on fruits, vegetables and protein (meat, fish) should be followed. Adequate amount of grains, legumes and beneficial oils that the body needs should also be consumed. Healthy nutrition is necessary for the mother's weight control as well as for the baby's nutrition. If necessary, a nutrition program can be applied by getting help from a specialist dietician.
Drinking plenty of water
Consuming plenty of water helps relieve edema and melt fat. Your daily water consumption may vary depending on your physical activity level, season and body weight. You can benefit from melting cesarean belly by consuming the required amount of water daily.
Breastfeeding regularly
In order to control weight after birth and get rid of belly fat, the baby should be breastfed regularly. It is very important for the mother to start breastfeeding her baby immediately after cesarean birth in melting cesarean belly. In addition, there are numerous benefits of breast milk, such as the baby's nutrition and the development of the immune system. Breastfeeding stands out as a natural treatment method in terms of the mother melting belly fat and reducing the risk of various diseases.
Getting enough sleep
Getting enough sleep at night slows down weight gain and is effective in melting belly fat. It is appropriate for women who have given birth to sleep an average of 8 hours a day.
Surgical methods to melt cesarean belly
If the desired success cannot be achieved with natural methods in melting cesarean belly or if you want to reach the desired shape faster, surgical methods provide effective results. The surgical methods used in melting cesarean belly are as follows:
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty can be used to remove fat and skin sagging after cesarean section and to have a flat abdominal appearance. Getting rid of belly fat after birth is a really difficult process and most mothers do not want to wait a long time. For this reason, the method of melting cesarean belly with abdominoplasty is often preferred because it is very effective and permanent.
Panniculectomy
After cesarean section, sagging skin called pannus around the belly can be removed with panniculectomy surgery.
Mommy makeover
Mommy makeover is a combined method in which other surgical procedures are performed in addition to melting cesarean belly. The pregnancy and breastfeeding process is used not only to prevent fat accumulation in the belly but also to improve unwanted changes in the chest, arms, legs and hips. Surgical procedures performed in addition to tummy tuck in mommy makeovers include liposuction, breast reduction, breast lift, and other surgeries.
You can quickly and safely return to your pre-birth fit appearance by opting for surgical methods to melt your cesarean belly. For this, you can consult with Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Selçuk Yılmaz, who provides service in Antalya Turkey. Contact us for detailed information and an appointment.
How does a cesarean belly melt?
A cesarean belly melts with natural methods such as exercise programs, healthy nutrition, plenty of fluid consumption, and breastfeeding. However, these methods may not have the desired effect on every woman. For this reason, a cesarean belly can also be melted with surgical intervention methods. A cesarean belly melts with tummy tuck surgery, mommy makeover, and panniculectomy surgery.