Stretch Marks & "Apron" effect

I was wondering if the "apron" pouch like stomach ever goes away and do the stretch marks fade?

It seems like I have been pregnant for the last five years. My oldest will be 5 in November, my twins are 3, when they were one I lost a set of twins at 24 weeks,and then I got pregnant again, and the baby is now 5 1/2 months.

I never was able to get to pre-pregnancy weight before I got pregnant again (each time I was ten pounds heavier than the last time), so my stomach still has the pouch and the stretch marks. I hate it! I am afraid that I will lose all the extra weight but keep the pouch.

Has anyone here lost the pouch and the stretch marks?

The stretchmarks are there forever, unfortunately. They will fade significantly and smooth out with scar creams, but they won't completely go away. Keep them protected with either sunscreen or clothes when you go out into the sun, because tanning or burning can make them darker.

The pooch, on the other hand, is a wee bit harder. Lower abdomen exercises and stretching can help make it smaller, but females have an extra layer of fat there for protecting the babies while preggers. I heard that is a bit harder to get rid of it if you have had mulitple C sections.

Bad news here too...the pouch is still there for me as well.  I am a good 40 lbs under my pre-preg weight now and its still there, looking back at me from the mirror.  I've tried lots of exercises, but nothing has really contributed to losing it.  While not for everyone...I am looking into a tummy tuck when I hit my goal weight and can maintain it for a year. 

Original Post by saintlymama:

Bad news here too...the pouch is still there for me as well.  I am a good 40 lbs under my pre-preg weight now and its still there, looking back at me from the mirror.  I've tried lots of exercises, but nothing has really contributed to losing it.  While not for everyone...I am looking into a tummy tuck when I hit my goal weight and can maintain it for a year. 

 After I'm all done having my babies I'm going to get the Air Force to perform a tummy tuck if I need one. I do not want it to negatively effect my fitness test scores, especially if its just excess skin! I can get kicked out if I don't do well! 30% of our score is waist circumference, so you better believe I'm going to apply to get it removed!

Does anyone know if insurance might cover a tummy tuck in this situation? I know the air force benefits are probably way better than what I have. If your job depends on it, go for it! I think once I get to my goal weight and keep it off for awhile, I'll look into tummy tuck too.

I actually just had a consulation yesterday for a tummy tuck. My doctor told me that no amount of exercise will get rid of the pouch, the only way to get rid of it is to have it cut off.

The price they gave me was a little more than I expected so I'm not sure when I'll be able to get it done though

I have had two kids, my youngest is 5. I have to say, I still have a bit of extra skin there, but it has reduced dramatically. I have considered a tummy tuck, but the scaring and recovery really put me off the idea.

It seems the more weight I lose, the less noticeable my "pouch" is. It's only really visible now if I suck in my tummy or bend over. I hope it will reduce more and in the mean time, I'm living with it. :)

Yes there is hope.  I went from 150 to 225.  I had toximia and gained tons of water weight in addition.  Post preg weight was 187 and I had a c section which cuts ALL stomache muscle.  I did sit ups.  The first time I could barely do one. Actually it took 2 weeks to even sit up without a wiggle.  Anyway start with a basic situp. keep a log and try to add one each time.  Only do them every other day.  Try it for 4 weeks.  I promise you will see a difference.

Take Care, Jami

What was the estimate?  Ive had a breast augmentation and it was pricey.  Anyway, I disagree with him.  I had a pouch after a c section and situps did the deal.  I could only do one at first, but give it a try.

Original Post by jamiinblack:

What was the estimate?  Ive had a breast augmentation and it was pricey.  Anyway, I disagree with him.  I had a pouch after a c section and situps did the deal.  I could only do one at first, but give it a try.

 I actually agree with the doctor, I don't even have much of a pouch at all, but I do have stretch marks therefore I have some saggy skin. I've done tons of situps, but I will always have that extra skin.

The estimate was $8,700

Edit: maybe in my first post I shouldn't have said 'pouch' because a lot of people have a pouch that can be reduced by situps. I'm referring more towards the sagging skin with stretch marks