April is International Caesarean Awareness Month, and while we might not offer Caesarean sections here at Karidis Clinic, we do often see patients post C-section who are wanting to tighten up their belly and get rid of the sagging skin which can be left behind, often known as ‘C-section overhang’.
Why does C-section overhang happen?
C-section overhang is a common side effect of caesarean surgery. It happens after the skin is pulled together and sewn up after surgery, and is usually due to the contrast between the tightly pulled-together incision site and the looser surrounding skin – think of a tight belt being pulled around your belly.
Is there any way to avoid getting a hanging belly after a C-section?
The most frequent cause of a hanging belly after a caesarean is genetics, which means unfortunately there might not be much you can do to prevent it. However, this isn’t the case for everyone, and building strength in your abdominals through exercises – including kegels – can help to reduce the overhang after surgery, even if it doesn’t prevent it completely.
Other ways to prevent or reduce the problem include staying active and maintaining your weight during pregnancy. And if you are not yet pregnant but are hoping to become so soon, it’s a good idea to ensure your abdominal muscles are as strong as they can be before pregnancy.
What can be done to get rid of post-C-section belly overhang?
The procedure best suited to deal with C-section overhang is a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty surgery. And the really good news is that abdominoplasty can also be used to treat some of the other unwanted aftereffects of pregnancy, such as separated abdominal muscles, leaving you with a smooth, taut, youthful-looking abdomen.
How does abdominoplasty work?
During an abdominoplasty procedure, the surgeon makes an incision along the line where your underwear would sit, to allow for any scar to be easily hidden from view. Excess skin or fat is then removed, and the incision site sewn back up.
What is recovery like after abdominoplasty?
Much like after a C-section, tummy tuck surgery does require a bit of downtime to allow you to recover fully. You should avoid any strenuous exercise for between six and twelve weeks, and will be given a post-surgery compression garment to wear for the first few weeks to help reduce swelling and hold everything in place while the body heals. Your surgeon will hold a follow-up appointment with you around six weeks post op, to ensure your recovery is running smoothly.
How soon after a C-section can I have a tummy tuck?
Both C-sections and abdominoplasty are major surgeries, which require lengthy recovery periods. It is recommended to wait a minimum of six months after a caesarean before having a tummy tuck, with 12 months being optimal.
It is also important that you are certain your family is complete before undergoing abdominoplasty, as any further pregnancies could have a serious impact on the results.
For more information on abdominoplasty to get rid of C-section overhang, or to book a consultation with Mr Alex Karidis, please contact us.
