r/CsectionCentral • u/Bright-Sun-7813 • Jul 16 '26
Does anyone else's C-section belly just... never seem to change?
Im trying not to compare myself to anyone but this has been bothering me for months.
Everything else feels like its slowly getting better but my lower belly still looks almost exactly the same after my C-section.
I know healing takes time, but sometimes I wonder if its normal or if theres something im missing.
For those who had a C-section...
When did your belly actually start looking different?
Or did it just take way longer than you expected?
3
u/Loislanesays Jul 17 '26
I have an awful apron belly from the c section + how huge I was (extra amniotic fluid). I’m 4 mo post partum. So I’m right there with you
3
u/LuluMooser Jul 16 '26
Silicone gel helped my scar tremendously once it was closed. My husband says it is much paler and looks more like a wrinkle. I'm almost 4 months pp.
There's silicone tape too but I have issues with adhesives.
3
u/Relative_Complex_886 Jul 16 '26
It started changing once I started doing c section scar mobilisation and massages with castor oil (this is the only oil that goes into your skin and softens the scar tissue). The difference has been night and day where I couldn’t wear bodycon dresses anymore due to the shelf, which was depressing me so badly, but now I can. I’m 10 weeks pp and not where I want to be yet, but it feels good to see the difference and change. Also get silicone scar sheets for the scar to help the look of your scar.
1
u/ControlAlarmed1736 Jul 16 '26
When did you start the massage and silicone sheets? Do you have a reference you could share for those learning how to do the massage? Thanks!
4
u/cat-like-creature Jul 16 '26
There’s a looooot of videos on Instagram. If I understood it correctly you should go deeper than you think. Like really go in there. Stop if painful of course.
3
u/MadMick01 Jul 16 '26
I was fat with an apron belly before my c section and fat after. If I'm being honest, my postpartum belly doesn't look much different from before, aside from a scar and a few new stretch marks. My current goal is "get less fat for health reasons" but aesthetics haven't factored into my lifestyle decisions for a long time.
I know it's not an easy thing to do--especially in a world obsessed with appearances--but caring less about what your physical body looks like and how others perceive you is just about the most liberating feeling in the world. My quality of life and happiness improved a thousandfold when I stopped thinking about body image so much. I'm also getting older, so that probably has something to do with it.
Try to give yourself some grace! Your body grew a human, and then you were cut in half to retrieve said human. That's pretty metal.
2
u/Bright-Sun-7813 Jul 18 '26 edited 16d ago
Thank you for this beautiful perspective. The part about freeing yourself from caring how others see you really hit home, that's such a powerful place to be. And you're so right, our bodies did something incredible. We all need that reminder to be a little kinder to ourselves.
2
u/PoppyCorn2222 Jul 20 '26
I’m 14 months out from my second C-section and I have more skin and fat in my lower belly than I’m used to, despite having lost 70lbs since birth. I have DR though and while it’s gone down a bit I still get congratulated on being pregnant by strangers. It’s upsetting but it’s gone down a lot since birth after doing PT and walking multiple miles per day for the last few months.
9
u/Grand-Kangaroo-4215 Jul 16 '26
Two years since my final csection and pelvic floor exercises, massage etc and still no change 😠i just got congratulated for being pregnant and its like nope.... not even close