Abs after C-section...will I ever see them again?

So its been 7 weeks since I gave birth via c-section and as I was doing my work out today, I looked down at the still-bulging lower part of my abdomen. I'm wondering...will I ever see my abs again? I know its still early but I also know that they cut through muscle when they operate, does this permanently ruin your abs? Just wondering.

The truth is whether I see my abs again or not, it was definitely worth it!

I'm hoping you do!!!  If I have to have a c-section in a few weeks; I'm hoping that my tummy will go back to being flat.  My sister; although very small to begin with had two babies-  11 months apart, one normal birth, the next c-section and her tummy is completely flat.  my mom is also very lean with a pretty good tummy for 60!  i hope I have those genes!

congrats on your little newbie!!!!

hey i didnt have a c-section and i still have that weird lower ab bulge!! i especially see it when im lying on my back (trying) doing situps.  and when i make my stomache tight i feel this weird hard thing in there... is that somthing they left inside me or some torn up muscle thats trying to repair itself lol 

i dunno.. hope it goes away eventually hah

oh and by the way im 7 months post partum...

I wonder if the condition of your abs before you got pregnant has anything to do with post-pregnancy and ease of going back to having a flat tummy.  If you had good abs before; would they be more apt to be good after?  Or does it even matter since they got so stretched out during pregnancy?

My abs were great before I had my son.  I was a dancer and I was 5'5" and wieghed 115 when I got pregnant.  Then it all went down hill.  He was breech and I had to have a c-section.  Of course I couldn't dance anymore so I sat behind a desk.  My son is now 4 and I just now tried doing something to get rid of it.  You will always have that little roll right above your scar but trust me you just had your baby and you are swollen not fat.  My abs are coming back so my advice is as soon as your Doc says it is ok to work out get on it everyday or you will be sorry.  I am talking hard core pilates.  It may hurt but no pain no gain. 

Hello..I just want to say Congratulations on the baby!! I have had three c-sections and I want to tell you there ABSOLUTELY is hope. Wait until your doctor gives you the okay before you do ANY abs exercises because as you said they do cut through the muscles and if you work them before they heal they can heal badly and then your at a huge loss. You can right now be aware of your abs ..what I mean is throughout the day try to suck them in and hold them this will get you started...When your doctor gives you the okay in addtion to your regular crunches and ab routine..just sit in a chair at the edge..as straight as you can be and just lift your legs while holding in your tummy...you should feel it all in your lower abs..thats the spot your going to need to target! Also pelvic tilts...laying flat on your back and just curl your hips up and tuck your tummy.If you want anymore exercises please feel free to contact me and I can give you some. Best of luck to you with your new baby and your weight loss efforts!!

Thank you for that ray of hope! I was beginning to wonder.

Like you said campbellssoup, I did just have my son so I probably am seeing swelling and not so much fat....in fact there are patches of skin in that area that are still numb!

And thanks for the tips personaltraining. I will be trying some of them.

I tried to do pilates after three weeks and realized I was no where near ready. My midwife gave me the go ahead to do ab work again at six weeks postpartum. I have been doing pilates and tae bo (the tae bo ab dvd is incredible). I also take the stairs in my building at least twice a day (16 flights) while tightening my abs (which I do when I walk around as well). I am sure to see results soon. I'm certainly feeling it right now!

7 weeks is a very short time. Don't worry. Take your time recovering, a c-section is major surgery. Just slowly work on it. I had one years ago and I have never been completely the same but it does get much better. And congratulations on your new baby! aren't they great

And good job working out already. That is great!

Firstly are you absolutely sure that they cut through your ab muscles? It may sound obvious, but these days it is very rare for them to actually do this: it takes much longer and complicates the operation, so nowadays it is mainly a myth that they do this, certainly this is the case in the UK anyway. They normally pull your abs apart to get to your uterus and if your abs were in good shape they normally 'ping' back fairly quickly so don't worry. I would check with your doctor.

I had my third c-section 6 months ago and my abs are in good shape now, just give it a few months. You are in early days yet, but rest assured they will come back. I am at 103 lbs now and my abs are nearly as good as they were before I had my latest. Thank heavens. Keep positive and speak to your doc about the op.

I've had 3 c-sections in the last 8 years, and I think with diligence and patience, you can go back to having a flat tummy and abs. Just don't push yourself too hard in the beginning, it takes time for the c-section scar to heal. You don't want to have a separation in the beginning, that's super 'ouch'! It happened to a friend.

 

Wow yinfern....you look great! And after three c-sections? I've only had one so I guess there is hope after all. Right now I seem to be losing weight every where except for my belly area. I am already back to pre-pregnancy but the weight has been completely redistributed.

I'm curious as to what shape you were in before your children, how long it took you to get back in shape and how long you waited before beginning ab exercises again. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

Kelbian,

Thanks for your compliment. I still have 7 lbs to go, and still got lots of pinchable fat on my belly. I'm so glad to find this site!

In answer to your question, I think you have to ask your OB when you can start doing ab exercises again. But I think you can do long brisk walk and still get some tone back on your stretch out ab muscles. I've always thought my OB cut through my muscles too, so I'm always a little nervous about doing ab exercise, and didn't start that until a long time after the c-section, I'm trying to remember, maybe six months after?

Congrats on getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight so fast! I've never gone back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I started out with 105 lbs, 5 feet 4 frame with my first child, and now I'm around 117 lbs, after 3 kids and some fat stuck on me, mostly on my waist, and thighs. I'm now more focused on getting fit and firm, and not so much concerned with my weight. I'm trying to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to my regular cooked diet, and I do T-Tapp exercises to build long, lean muscles to keep me strong. I need those with three kids to chase around. :)

I have a 9 month old and I had a c-section...but i dont have a bump above my scar....my scar is really really low tho...so i dont really know if that makes a difference...

I've got an updated shot taken 2 months later, wearing the same jeans, Tommy Hilfiger size 4 jeans, looks a lot looser.

It's all thanks to this site, counting my calories, eating around 1200 each day, and doing T-Tapp.