Is this why folks opt for tummy tucks?

[rootzdawta]

I recently joined Weight Watchers and after a year of consistent exercise and weight lifting, I've lost the weight. I am now 5 pounds lighter than when I had my first child. My goal is to shed 10 more pounds. When I look at my belly, though, I'm a little perplexed. I've got a lot of "extra" going on there. I was almost sure that with the weight loss, all that extra would go too. Anyway, I promised myself that when I reached my goal weight, I'd start P90X or Insanity to get "ripped", i.e. really shape and sculpt my body. But I'm not really sure if I can actually achieve that look for my belly. I can actually see that my stomach is defined under the layer of "extra" and I'm starting to think the extra isn't fat but skin and there's nothing I can do about it. It pools over the top of my pants like fat. I can bunch it up like fat. It feels like fat! But it's going nowhere.

I spent yesterday watching fitness equipment informercials and the Winsor Pilates one seemed great for what I'm trying to achieve. I guess my question is can I achieve it? I mean, I don't know. And I really don't want to put out extra money and put in so much work to end up at the same place. I've really, really put in a lot of effort (and money) to get where I am now--great cardiovascular shape and lots of toning.

I can see the value in continuing to strengthen my core and I'm very pleased with how my arms and legs are taking shape but nothing seems to be working for my belly. Should I try something else, something more for my belly or is it a lost cause? Have I just not found the right workout routine?

Is this the reason why folks opt for tummy tucks?

[nichole]

Hmmm interesting. I have been wondering if pregnancy changed my body forever and if I'll always be stuck with a soft tummy. I hope someone will chime in and let us know that it is not hopeless

[dogmom327]

I'm wondering too although mine seems to be getting a tiny bit better (7 m PP). I'm now 28 lbs. below where I was pre-pregnancy with DD and I'm still consistently losing (probably another 10-15 lbs. to go). My tummy is flabby and a bit wrinkly. I'm supposed to be doing Chlean Extreme right now but DD isn't sleeping at night (waking every 45-60 minutes) so I'm trying to fix that first.

If someone could lend some hope...

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

I'm wondering too although mine seems to be getting a tiny bit better (7 m PP). I'm now 28 lbs. below where I was pre-pregnancy with DD and I'm still consistently losing (probably another 10-15 lbs. to go). My tummy is flabby and a bit wrinkly. I'm supposed to be doing Chlean Extreme right now but DD isn't sleeping at night (waking every 45-60 minutes) so I'm trying to fix that first.

If someone could lend some hope...

I am probably in as good of shape as I could possibly get. My abs right now look pretty shrink wrapped wtih a decent muscle definition. I can see lat/oblique definition. HOWEVER. I have this area, that is just at the perfect spot for slipping over my very low cut underwear. It's like this skin kind of like the top of your hand except it's extra and wrinkled from stretchmarks. I guess I'm lucky I got stretch marks low, though I remember before I got in better shape they seemed to cover more of me. I can workout in regular just below belly button pants and a workout bra and not have any skin loose.

I really think it takes a long while though. I don't really remember when I finally thought my abs looked decent. I wouldn't mind this skin gone, but not sure i'd risk surgery.

I definately think anyone can have a good mid section again, if you would have seen what i looked like over 200 pounds you wouldn't believe it

ETA: as far as working out goes. I really think you have to vary your work outs. I do some core, some heavy lifting, some total bodyweight things, a little of everything. I think when you do things that work your whole body, it helps your core too. Squats with a barbell not loaded overhead is GREAT for total body. Or if you can't do a barbell just small weights overhead...I just thought of a barbell is 45 pounds....what types of workout do you do now? Sounds like you're in the right direction.

Also having a taper will help your waist look smaller, too. Wider shoulders, thick strong back. I do deadlifts (only on heavy days, like not every week), lat pull downs or pullups, one arm dumbell rows, military press and side lat raises for shoulders. Wide pullups and side lat raises will cap your shoulders and widen your back, and rows will give you that thick muscle in the middle. For a while I was literally never doing JUST abs. Maybe between lifting sets I'll do v-ups with a medicine ball but i do not spend much time on my middle, you CAN over work it and then you're just running in circles

[lil_earthmomma]

I have horrendous stretch marks. I'm not sure how much stretch marked skin will actually "shrink" but I have seen some shrinkage over the last year. My tummy is tighter, and less hangy. I still have 30 lbs to lose.

I have stretch marks on my stomach all the way up to my ribs, my hips all the way up to my ribs, my thighs, from my crotch to my knees, and my upper calves. My upper arms are completely covered in tiny stretch marks.

Right now I'm focusing on getting in the best shape possible, and once I've acheived and maintained it for a year, I will consider surgery.

(My sister has had great success with BioOil, so I'm going to give that a shot too.)

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by lil_earthmomma

I have horrendous stretch marks. I'm not sure how much stretch marked skin will actually "shrink" but I have seen some shrinkage over the last year. My tummy is tighter, and less hangy. I still have 30 lbs to lose.

I have stretch marks on my stomach all the way up to my ribs, my hips all the way up to my ribs, my thighs, from my crotch to my knees, and my upper calves. My upper arms are completely covered in tiny stretch marks.

Right now I'm focusing on getting in the best shape possible, and once I've acheived and maintained it for a year, I will consider surgery.

(My sister has had great success with BioOil, so I'm going to give that a shot too.)

I would also like to mention that i do not think there is anything wrong with electing the surgery route once you've reached your full potential as far as losing and shrinking as much as you can. I have stretch marks on my lower abs, and on my hips high inner thighs that are the faded white scar type. It's frustrating and I hate it but i'm not sure i want to go through the pain and recovery of that kind of skin treatment. My sister had acne while younger, and her surgery where they literally scraped her skin off to regrow was just so painful for her recovery wise. I remember spoon feeding her baby food and trying to apply vaseline faster than her tears could drop over. I haven't look to far in to what they do for stretchmarks. I know it's similar to scar revision/laser something. I've been in shape long enough that I know nothing else is going to change, and I'm almost to the point where i want to do something about my boobs. I mean i look flat chested in a sports bra, but i literally have skin that just hangs. A surgeon told me I am a good candidate because they will basically just be inflated, I don't have heavy sagging boobs or so small that i need the skin to stretch.

Call me vein but I also wouldn't be in this boat had I not gained a hundred pounds, and yeah sure my fault but also i ddin't have a great example or help, guidance of how to have a healthy pregnancy etc.

I bought that really expensive strivectin stuff and used it twice a day every day and i have noticed my skin is SMOOTHER but it definately does not get rid of them

[Juvysen]

I'm still pregnant, but my stretch marks (from my first child, no new ones since) go well up over my belly button. I'm not convinced the skin will ever snap back... My mom has a fair amount less fat (and more stretch marks, but not by much) but she *still* has the loose skin issue. she's not got a lot of muscle though.

Looking forward to hearing more stories...

[ambereva]

I think I will just follow Lisamarie around and say "what she said" after every post.

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by ambereva

I think I will just follow Lisamarie around and say "what she said" after every post.

Ditto

[Freedom~Mama]

My stomach will never ever look good because 1. it is covered in stretch marks and 2. I have a lot of loose skin from having 2 c-sections and gaining 100 lbs. When I get to my goal weight I am planning to have a tummy tuck and DH is totally supportive. I kick myself often because I know I essentially did this to myself and if I hadn't of gained all that weight I might not have the stomach I have and wouldn't have to shell out a bunch of money for a tummy tuck but what can you do?! Whats done is done...I do think in some cases if the person has been at a pretty consistant weight, doesn't have many stretch marks and didn't have a c-section that with diet and exercise their tummy will kind of snap back but for anyone who is pretty heavy and had c-sections and got a lot of stretch marks I think there are two options...either accept how you look and realize you won't ever be able to wear super low cut jeans or get a tummy tuck. That is JMO and my experience though.

[425lisamarie]

I gained a hundred pounds. I have faded stretch marks and I had a c-sctiono with DS1 and I look pretty decent in a pair of low cut jeans . They'd have to show my pubic bone to show the little lose skin.

And when people say "when I get to my goal looks/weight..." unless you're alreayd there you really don't know what you will look like! Not to discourage, or encourage....just saying it's good to be able to plan, and maybe pleasantly suprised

[Juvysen]

I'm nervous about losing too much weight because my stretch marks look better a little filled out but I *want* to get back in shape and strong. I won't say I'm not nervous about how my belly will look though.

[sunflowergrrl]

PP, congrats on your weight loss!! That is awesome. I am working on losing 30 pounds after having my 3rd baby in October. Yep, time for me to get serious about losing this wegiht.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know what helped me get rid of the pooch after I had my first baby...a book called Lose Your Mummy Tummy by Julie Tulper. Basically she said that if you have any separation between your ab muscles, called a diastasis, then it will look like you have fat pooching out. Even if you have no fat. So you have to bring these muscles together to keep your insides from pooching. Not cruches, but controlled belly breaths are the way to strengthen this. It really worked for me after my first baby. I'm working on it now, but I'm not there yet!!!

[ryleigh'smama]

I have to agree with Lisa too!

Until you get to your goal weight, don't jump to the conclusion of what you should do. I have stretch marks that used to cover my entire tummy, and extra skin, BUT as I have lost weight and gained muscle my body, including my tummy has changed enough that I no longer want a tummy tuck. I used to think I had to have one. Will it ever be perfect? No. But I can see muscle definition a lot, the sagging has gotten far less, if you saw me in something other than super low cut pants you wouldn't know that I had the extra skin. I had a friend tell me that it took 5 years for her skin to recover. It has been three years for me(to the day, as ds turns 3 tomorrow), and I have been losing weight, gaining muscle, and changing my body the whole time. My skin hasn't even had a chance to stop and just be. Since losing weight and getting really close to my goal weight, my stretch marks are only on my lower tummy too...somehow.

[rootzdawta]

I can't thank you all enough for the commiseration (LoL) and the hope! I'm really having a lot of fun getting into the best shape I've ever been in but just sometimes, I get a little discouraged because I am working, working, working but just not positive I can get to what I'm working for. Deflates my bubble a bit!

Originally Posted by 425lisamarie

I am probably in as good of shape as I could possibly get. My abs right now look pretty shrink wrapped wtih a decent muscle definition. I can see lat/oblique definition. HOWEVER. I have this area, that is just at the perfect spot for slipping over my very low cut underwear. It's like this skin kind of like the top of your hand except it's extra and wrinkled from stretchmarks. I guess I'm lucky I got stretch marks low, though I remember before I got in better shape they seemed to cover more of me. I can workout in regular just below belly button pants and a workout bra and not have any skin loose.

I really think it takes a long while though. I don't really remember when I finally thought my abs looked decent. I wouldn't mind this skin gone, but not sure i'd risk surgery.

I definately think anyone can have a good mid section again, if you would have seen what i looked like over 200 pounds you wouldn't believe it

ETA: as far as working out goes. I really think you have to vary your work outs. I do some core, some heavy lifting, some total bodyweight things, a little of everything. I think when you do things that work your whole body, it helps your core too. Squats with a barbell not loaded overhead is GREAT for total body. Or if you can't do a barbell just small weights overhead...I just thought of a barbell is 45 pounds....what types of workout do you do now? Sounds like you're in the right direction.

Also having a taper will help your waist look smaller, too. Wider shoulders, thick strong back. I do deadlifts (only on heavy days, like not every week), lat pull downs or pullups, one arm dumbell rows, military press and side lat raises for shoulders. Wide pullups and side lat raises will cap your shoulders and widen your back, and rows will give you that thick muscle in the middle. For a while I was literally never doing JUST abs. Maybe between lifting sets I'll do v-ups with a medicine ball but i do not spend much time on my middle, you CAN over work it and then you're just running in circles

You're right . . . I may be being impatient. I really only started getting into serious shape last January. My workout routine right now is cardio 5x's a week for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Three times a week, I lift weights but I'm looking to change my weight lifting routine. I lift weight mainly for my upper body. I've been doing the basic workout in Strong Women Stay Young but I just discovered Strong Women Stay Slim and may go to that workout. I do dead lifts maybe once a week but never with any heavy weights. No more than ten pounds. Most of my cardio involves a lot of squatting, lunging, etc . . . but I've never squatted with weight or did v-ups with weights. I definitely *hate* doing ab specific workouts but I force myself to. I'm discovering planks and standing abs as part of other workouts (mainly yoga and pilates) and really like that and may abandon crunches and the like.

Originally Posted by 425lisamarie

I gained a hundred pounds. I have faded stretch marks and I had a c-sctiono with DS1 and I look pretty decent in a pair of low cut jeans . They'd have to show my pubic bone to show the little lose skin.

And when people say "when I get to my goal looks/weight..." unless you're alreayd there you really don't know what you will look like! Not to discourage, or encourage....just saying it's good to be able to plan, and maybe pleasantly suprised

Thanks for this. It's true. With WW, you set incremental goal weights and when I finally got to my pre-preg weight I was surprised. In good and bad ways.

Originally Posted by sunflowergrrl

PP, congrats on your weight loss!! That is awesome. I am working on losing 30 pounds after having my 3rd baby in October. Yep, time for me to get serious about losing this wegiht.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know what helped me get rid of the pooch after I had my first baby...a book called Lose Your Mummy Tummy by Julie Tulper. Basically she said that if you have any separation between your ab muscles, called a diastasis, then it will look like you have fat pooching out. Even if you have no fat. So you have to bring these muscles together to keep your insides from pooching. Not cruches, but controlled belly breaths are the way to strengthen this. It really worked for me after my first baby. I'm working on it now, but I'm not there yet!!!

Thanks for the book rec. I had heard about diastasis before. I will look into the book today at the library.

Originally Posted by ryleigh'smama

I have to agree with Lisa too!

Until you get to your goal weight, don't jump to the conclusion of what you should do. I have stretch marks that used to cover my entire tummy, and extra skin, BUT as I have lost weight and gained muscle my body, including my tummy has changed enough that I no longer want a tummy tuck. I used to think I had to have one. Will it ever be perfect? No. But I can see muscle definition a lot, the sagging has gotten far less, if you saw me in something other than super low cut pants you wouldn't know that I had the extra skin. I had a friend tell me that it took 5 years for her skin to recover. It has been three years for me(to the day, as ds turns 3 tomorrow), and I have been losing weight, gaining muscle, and changing my body the whole time. My skin hasn't even had a chance to stop and just be. Since losing weight and getting really close to my goal weight, my stretch marks are only on my lower tummy too...somehow.

I won't jump to any conclusions yet! I'm going to try to take my time.

My stomach is maybe 10 times better than it was when I started. That's the truth. I'm not there yet though. But I'm going to hold the faith that I can get there.

Thanks again everyone.

[ParisApril]

After my first it took me 3 years and a lot of weight training to get my tummy to a place where I was happy in a bikini.

After my second 4 1/2 years ago I still am not happy with my tummy yet. I gained a few more stretch marks around my belly button which makes it look warped. I have noticed the stretch marks fading over time though. I am well muscled but still have a layer of fat and loose skin which is really noticeable when I am on my hands and knees. Luckily I am do not walk around like that.

I have just started lifting heavier weights again so I'll see if that helps things.

[425lisamarie]

I don't want to sound pushy, but if you want to see FAST changes, don't do too much cardio, and lift HEAVIER, still just the 3 times a week. You're a strong mama, 10 pound weights are not gonna do you so much good.

I lift only 3 times a week, and the 3rd day I incorporate more of a whole body thing with some kettlebell, core, pullups. I do barbell squats once a week, and deadlifts (heavy) once or every week and a half. Don't worry about getting too muscly if you fear that. I weight only 125 pounds and I squat/deadlift anywhere from 155-185.

I'm really just maintaining muscle mass now, but when i was really trying to build muscle and shape my body, i had a great routine. 3 days a week, splitting the whole body up in to chest/back, legs/shoulder, arms/core/cardio. One week I did heavy and hard, the next week I did higher reps. And I never do more than a few days of cardio. Maybe one day with sprints, another couple slower/steady

Seems like you know what you're doing! I still want to have a couple minor things fixed skin wise, but it's not in the budget or time factor right now.

[crunchy_mama]

hugs here as well, I am in this club as well! Unfortunately it does take time. I only got stretch marks w/ #1(gaind 55 as opposed to 35). Howevr, kind of surprisingly it has gotten better after each of my last 2 pregnancies. Before I had lots of skin that just hung at the bottom of my belly and when in plank there was several inches that hung down. Now, it is just really wrinkly. I don't know if it will be bikini ready ever, but better is good. My stretchmarks start right at my belly button. So, patience, time and take care of yourself. Oh, and I have done dry skinbrushing as well. I am not sure if that has contributed to improvment, but I figure it cannot hurt.

[zoebird]

for me, it took 15 months before my stomach looked normal again.

now, i will also admit that while i was very regular with my exercises (mula and uddiyana bandha or "the girdle" of pilates), but i didn't get my usual exercise in otherwise. just a bit with walking with my DS wrapped onto me. so, it was progressive, weight bearing cardio, but i wouldn't really call it the sort of cardio that i was used to.

be that as it may, i do think that a lot of women do not know how to actively correct the pelvic floor and transverse abdominals, which allows the belly to move inward.

and so, if someone doesn't work that area properly (yoga, pilates, deep core work, book mentioned above, etc), then they are not likely to get that pre-pregnancy "look".

also, some folks really do need repairs.

and, it takes time--more than i expected.

[lab]

Well, it is possible! Of course - my youngest is 12... so I've had a LONG time to recover

I do think a lot of it has to do with genetics, though. I mean it helps if your skin is elastic. Also, I had my babies all before 30 and I think that made a difference. Of course, I have no idea of anyone's age - but I'm just offering my experience.

I'm going to 40 in February. Here is a picture of me with my kids two summers ago (38)