A C-section is an operation that many women have done to deliver their babies. The surgery can create a pouch on the stomach which may cause discomfort, embarrassment, and even pain. It can be hard to find clothes that fit well or don’t show it off.
This is why knowing how to get rid of c section pouch matters. With some effort, it can be dealt with and resolved.
What is a C-Section Pouch
A C-section pouch is a bulge that is created when a woman has had a C-section. It can make you feel self-conscious and unattractive, especially during the time after your pregnancy when you are trying to lose weight. Also, many women suffer from C-section pouch which makes it difficult for them to deal with daily life activities such as wearing tight clothes or exercising.
The pouch is caused by the remaining skin around the stomach being stretched during pregnancy, resulting in loose and wrinkled tissues. It can take months for your body to recover from a C-section surgery after giving birth.
The longer you wait before you get rid of c section pouch, the harder it will be to fix. However, if you work on how to lose stomach flab soon after delivery then your efforts are more likely to pay off successfully.
What Causes C-Section Pouch
A lot of factors contribute toward how much excess skin will form on the abdomen following a cesarean section and how long it takes before you notice the improvement, for example:
- The size and shape of your baby
- The number of pregnancies
- Your age at the time
- Your genetics (especially if there were complications)
- Whether or not you breastfed
- How much excess weight you’ve gained during the pregnancy
Commonly, you will notice that the progress of how your skin is healing on your abdomen is slower if your stitches open. It is important to let the skin heal and not put any pressure on the cesarean section cut until it is fully closed.
You can also consider how tight the abdominal muscles are and how long you’ve been pregnant, as this can affect how much weight you might put on. A lot of these factors contribute to how much excess skin will form on the abdomen following a cesarean section.
How to Get Rid of C Section Pouch
There’s more than one way to get rid of the new pouch, but some ways work better than others depending on what kind of shape your body is in and how much time you want to devote each day toward exercising or doing physical activity.
If your c section pouch has been troubling you since the birth of your baby then there’s no need to worry anymore — it is not as difficult as many women make it seem.
A few safe and effective ways for how to get rid of C section pouch include using compression bandages, wearing a girdle or garment that will help flatten your stomach skin against the muscles underneath, and applying hydrotherapy gel pads on your abdomen area for 20 minutes each day.
These remedies should be done as soon as possible after giving birth because time is essential if you want quick results. In addition, how fast these natural products work depends on how long ago the surgery was performed. If you’re still in your postpartum period, you can expect faster results.
You should also make sure that you have been given “all clear” from your doctor before starting an exercise routine because it can be dangerous, especially if you have had a C-section.
There are a variety of effective methods you can use such as the following:
Take weight loss supplements
One of the most effective and healthy ways to get rid of a C-section pouch is by taking weight loss supplements.
There are many weight loss products on the market today — but not all of them will work as efficiently as others, or they may even do more harm than good. It’s important to know which ones will do the trick.
Go on a diet and exercise regimen
Getting physically fit can be difficult after giving birth — but if you take it slow, chances are high that you’ll succeed in your mission. However, make sure that your doctor approves before starting any type of exercise or weight loss program.
Do yoga exercises
Yoga exercises such as the cobra pose (bhujangasana), bridge pose (setu bandha), and child’s pose (balasana) will help stretch out all areas of your stomach skin while strengthening the muscles underneath, thus preventing future sagging.
If done regularly, these simple yet poses will tone up your stomach muscles, increase blood circulation, and promote weight loss.
Use natural herbal products
Natural herbal products are good for the skin, especially if you’re trying to get rid of a C-section pouch. They also help improve muscle tone which will make them look flatter over time.
Remember to look for organic or all-natural brands from reputable manufacturers. Also, remember that these types of supplements should be taken regularly as part of a healthy diet plan — do not take more than what is suggested because this can lead to unpleasant results such as nausea or diarrhea.
Watch what you eat
Avoid foods that are high in calories or fat content such as fast food, fried products, processed meat, etc. Instead, get enough protein in order to rebuild muscles and skin tissue.
Eating foods rich in Vitamin E, folic acid, zinc, and magnesium can help speed up the recovery time around 16 weeks postpartum.
Drink lots of water
Drinking lots of water will help detoxify your body and flush out toxins that may be harmful to you. This is important because if toxins stay within the body, they can accumulate — which will result in weight gain over time.
Tips on How to Get Rid of the C-Section Pouch
It is important that you see your doctor before doing anything. This way they can confirm there are no problems with your skin or other issues which could complicate things for you if not addressed first.
- Do not do high-impact exercises since they may overload your muscles and worsen the condition causing pain in your scar area, along with increasing the risk for another hernia surgery.
- Avoid heavy exercising that makes you sweat too much or drink lots of water when working out because it might cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Instead, opt for low-impact workouts such as walking at least 20 minutes three times each week. Remember though that doing any type of exercise is better than nothing.
- You should also avoid smoking since it will increase your risk of infection and slow down the healing process.
- Do not wear tight clothing around your waist or stomach unless they are extremely loose-fitting. Doing so may irritate the skin causing pain, scarring along with an increased chance for another hernia surgery if ignored long enough.
Although getting rid of the pouch may seem like an impossible task, many women have done it and can vouch on behalf of these methods. All you need is determination and patience — two things that every mother possesses in abundance!
Why Get Rid of the C-Section Pouch
If you are able to get rid of the C-section pouch, you will be able to see your scar. The scar may have once been a reminder of the pain that you went through, but you can turn it into a reminder of how strong you were for being so brave and pushing through all that you had to do at the time.
The second best thing is that it will show off your new stomach muscles. At first, they may not be as defined as some other parts of your body are, but soon enough they’ll be just as toned. You’ll even have an easier time getting back into exercise routines and reaching your fitness goals!
The last reason for getting rid of the C-section pouch is that you’ll no longer feel like your stomach looks like a deflated balloon. You won’t have to live with it feeling as though you are still pregnant and not quite fitting into regular clothes or bathing suits.
Getting rid of the pouch will be like a weight lifted off your shoulders. You’ll be able to feel comfortable in your own skin again.
Does the C-section Pooch go away?
The c-section pooch caused by the lack of connection between the muscles and tissue can last for weeks, months, or even years post-birth if not addressed.
However, there are a few things you can do to make the c-section pooch go away:
- Massage the area
- Do exercises that target the abs and pelvic floor muscles
- Wear a compression garment.
How To Hide The C-Section Pooch
Most women who deliver via c-section will experience some degree of swelling and inflammation in the abdominal area.
This can often result in a pouch-like appearance that many new mothers find unsightly.
While getting rid of the c-section pouch can take a long time, here are a few tips that might help you hide it in the meantime:
- Wear loose and comfy clothes
- Wear a belt that matches your outfit and helps to hide the pouch
- Wear dark colored clothes as they tend to hide your pouch better than light-colored clothes
- Wear a jacket or cardigan that covers your stomach area
- Wear high waistline pants
- Avoid clothes that restrict your waistline
- Avoid belts with big buckles or anything else flashy, which might draw attention to your stomach area
Can You Get A Flat Stomach After A C-Section?
It is possible to get a flat stomach after a c-section. However, be kind to yourself and concentrate on reconnecting with your body first before trying to do complex exercises.
There are a variety of exercises you can do to help tone your stomach muscles and achieve the look you desire.
Best Exercise For The C-Section Pooch
Exercise is an important part of losing your c-section pouch, so here are three of the best exercises you can do (Please make sure you consult your doctor first):
Seated Kegels
Kegel Exercises are extremely effective in making your pelvic floor muscles stronger.
Watch this video to see how to do seated Kegels correctly:
Wall sit
The wall sit exercise activates muscle groups in your lower body, including your glutes, quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings:
Leg slides
Leg slides tone your leg and abdominal muscles:
How Will Massage Help Me Heal My C-Section Pooch?
Massage therapy is a common way to help improve the healing process after surgery.
Massage can help to heal scar tissue, reduce inflammation and pain, and promote circulation.
It is important to massage the area regularly for best results.
Final Words
There are many different ways of dealing with the c-section pouch. The best way to get rid of the C-section pouch is, however, to take care of yourself and your health. There is no one-size-fits-all type of solution. You should try to find a way that works best for you and your lifestyle.
Maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and exercise daily to keep the c section pouch from coming back. And remember that even though it will stay with you for a while, this is not something that should stop or slow down your life. Embrace yourself and enjoy motherhood!
