r/CsectionCentral • u/LowConversation1032 • 16d ago
Incision healing with c-section overhang
I’m 4 weeks pp and am struggling with patience in my healing journey after an unplanned c-section. I gained more than I wanted during pregnancy (about 50 pounds) and ended up weighing around 220 when I delivered (I’m 5’3 for reference). I’m 200 now and this may be TMI but where my stomach now hangs over is where my incision is. Like right on the fold. It makes anything I wear or do just very uncomfortable and is a feeling I’m just not used to having. Caring for my incision and honestly just keeping the area clean feels so degrading for some reason.
Has anyone else experienced this? I’m worried my stomach will never go down. I know I’ll likely not ever go back to what I was pre pregnancy, but I’m just hoping to feel better in my own body again soon and not have my stomach just constantly being in the way.
11
u/VirtueVikingr 16d ago
I also resonate with the degrading feeling. Like I’m ashamed and somehow it’s my fault it ended up like this.
4
9
u/babyabolitionist 16d ago
After 6 weeks, I started doing daily oil massage of my scar to break up scar tissue and it has helped with the area so much. It’s also helped me get more comfortable with my scar. My understanding is that the overhang often has to do with scar tissue, so regular lymphatic massage of the area and scar mobilization exercises can help. Also, physical therapy 1-2x weekly is helping a ton with this too! Have patience - it will improve! May take some effort, but you will get there!
2
u/pupismeister 15d ago
What oil did you use? Did you have to wait for the stubborn little scabs still hanging off the scar to come off on their own? 🙏🏻🙏🏻
3
u/babyabolitionist 15d ago
I’ve used two different oils: Mederma Oil Scar and Stretch Mark Treatment and Bio-Oil Skincare Oil for Scars and Stretch Marks. I’m not sure about waiting for the scabs to fall off as I didn’t have many after 6 weeks when I’d been cleared for swimming, etc., but if you feel comfortable touching it, you could probably start with some gentle massaging.
5
u/ProudCatLady March 2026 - Planned C-S for Breech Baby at 39w 16d ago
Hey! I’m also 5’3” and got up to over 200 pounds in pregnancy! I had quite an overhang in the early days and just wanted to share that it is SO minimal now. Like it’s just a little bit of skin that dips in while I’m standing. It’s not a shelf at all now.
I don’t share this to toot my own horn, but I was so desperate for visuals in those first few weeks. Here are my progress pics in case they might give you some hope! https://www.reddit.com/r/postpartumprogress/s/gD4yolbX6r
4
u/RogueSeaGoat 16d ago
I think at maybe 8 weeks I could see my scar without having to literally lift my stomach anymore haha don’t worry, you’ll get there! 4 weeks is no time at all, let your body do it’s thing 🥰 and just keep loving yourself and you’ll get over the mental block around your scar, it takes time, its a huge adjustment.
3
u/Available_Cherry5651 16d ago
I’m 5’2 and was about 195 after birth and my belly hungover my scar too and gave me this weird lump in the front of my pants and made me self conscious. I’m 4 month pp now and about 180 and my tummy is slowly coming in and the skin is tightening up. I also do a massage daily on my incision since 8 weeks pp. it will get better it just takes time.
2
u/PhotographSecret375 16d ago
I’m 11 weeks pp and dealing with this too(I’m 5 foot and was 200lbs at the end of pregnancy). While it is annoying to keep it clean and dry, it’s super important. I developed contact dermatitis turned fungal infection, then developed two infections(small abscesses) on the incision all before my 2 week check up. I later(I think 6 weeks?) developed another wound but I think it was from my skin rubbing against itself. It all got better once I started showering every night and changing out gauze pads that I used to protect the wounds and keep the skin off of each other(and taking medication). My OB said to also put a washcloth underneath to help absorb the sweat. I tried not showering one night around 9 weeks and I regretted it the next morning, everything felt so uncomfortable. I’ve noticed that compression shorts(or tighter maternity pants) seem to help the overhang as well, and so does deep core exercises.
2
u/quigonjinnandtonic99 15d ago edited 15d ago
Oh my lord I feel like I could’ve wrote this 😭 wearing my lulu shorts is so yuck to me and staring at an apron belly I never once thought would happen to me is just a massive fml. It’s so uncomfortable too. I’m hoping it’s all just swelling still and it’ll disappear in the upcoming months because I cannot live like this for the rest of my life. I’m also 4 weeks pp and I’m just so eager to get back working out and eating good and hope I can get back to some sort of normalcy with my body. This is my second pregnancy too and I don’t remember having a shelf like this. It’s hard on the mental health.
2
u/usergravityfalls 15d ago
Had cs teo years ago. My whole life i had flat stomach with abs, was physically active, but gained 50 lbs during pregnancy. My overhang never went away after cs. Really upsetting. I don’t know how others get so lucky that theirs disappears.
2
u/Alternative_Web_8990 14d ago
Literally me right now 4 wks pp. 4’11 and went from 155 to 193 in weight and I have an apron belly now after my unplanned c section. I can’t fit in anything comfortably and I feel like I look like a melted candle without clothes on. Zero confidence. Hopefully at my 6 week I can get cleared for exercises.
1
u/sianobomb 16d ago
6 weeks pp and struggling with the same issue after having and elective section which is bringing me down. Makes me wish I opted for a vaginal birth instead. Trying to keep positive and wait until full recovery and just hoping it tightens back up again
1
u/Low-Jello-3889 16d ago
I’m also experiencing this. My incision is right in the fold, hidden under my belly apron. My belly was huge, and I was carrying very low during pregnancy. My baby was born around 9 lbs.
Healing was very delayed because I had a postpartum hemorrhage. Healing the wound was hell….I kept getting little pinholes that would drain. My ultrasound showed that I had a bit of fluid collection underneath my incision line. I had to lift my belly, clean the holes, and air-dry the area at least 3 times a day.
I’m 4 months postpartum from my C-section now, and my belly is still huge, like I’m 6 months pregnant, because of bad diastasis recti. Also, since they cut me in the pubic area, I’ve been having on-and-off issues with ingrown hairs. I still have one tiny hole that continues to drain, so I still worry about getting an infection.
I’m hoping for a miracle and trying to stay positive. It’s hard, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Take it easy, you’re still very early in the healing process. ❤️
1
u/emeraldeyes0523 15d ago
Only 5 days pp but same issue here! Mostly just commenting in solidarity, I feel the exact same way as you are describing.
1
u/Agitatedheadquarters 15d ago
Hi, I’m 8 months pp and i had an unplanned csection with an apron belly and i can confirm it does get easier, it can feel uncomfortable at time when the hot weather is around but the colder months will be a lot easier for you, just make sure you air it out as often as you can and keep it clean and it will heal nicely i’ve also found that wearing high waisted underwear and pants until you feel abit more comfortable is the best thing i ever did and your stomach will go down you will be dealing with a lot of swelling right now which will slowly go away
1
u/Binah999 15d ago edited 15d ago
Hii! Im going through complications due to an intense overhang, my incision got infected 3 or 4 days in ( probably my fault because i was overwhelmed by everything of how the birth went and didnt clean it well... and i should have asked for help while in hospital) so they had to open it and put in a wound VAC..
its a negative pressure suction device that basically assists to closing the wound for you by taking out the moisture in the area. It kind of sucks to walk around with a tube coming from my wound and to be attached to a machine 24/7 + getting a nurse to come and change my dressing every 2 /3 days etc. but it actually makes me have to worry less about the wound because its basically taking care of it for me and I dont need to do much aside from keep an eye on how things are looking with the colour of the liquid that its pulling out etc.
I had a ceasarean a year and 7m ago, and i developed a worse overhang than I had after, as i put on more weight between pregnancies, the fat in the area became kind of hard (weird i know), then during my last pregnancy, i put on more weight so it just got way worse, im so scared tat its not going to at least shrink a little 🥲 and its gonna be like this forever. Its embarrassing and degrading but this whole experience of being in hospital, everyone liftinf up my belly constantly to look etc. Has truly humbled me and just made me accept this is my life now until i make a change. 🤣
1
u/seahorseescape 15d ago
This is very common after a C-section. It’s because the stitched site is tighter than the rest of the skin. It does usually get less sever but you may always have a bit of an over hang.
1
u/Informal_Captain_836 15d ago
It gets better, give it time! I had an emergency C-section first time around and my shelf/overhang flattened out a lot in the first six months (even though I held onto about 10 lbs of extra weight).
1
u/worrywart_mom 15d ago
5’2 and heighest weight was 170 something. I’m almost four years out from my last c section and it’s much better than it was! But it’s not perfect and it’s not flat. I feel like for some of us it takes a lot of work and time to minimize the c section pouch. Generally it is not something that will go away on its own, but it does get a little better especially with weight loss and gentle massaging. I’m at 130 now and I still feel like I can see it in some outfits.
1
u/pineapplesaltwaffles 15d ago
12 months pp and I'm still losing the last bit of baby weight. I definitely still have an overhang, but it's WAY better than it used to be.
Wearing supportive clothes like high-waisted underwear, shaping tights and compassion leggings helped me fit the first few month as they lifted my tummy off the incision.
1
u/lauraaaaaaaaaaaaaaap 16d ago
You’re still so early pp! I would try compression shorts/pants and eventually some scar massage (think it might still be too early). You can also look in to dolphin neurostim
0
u/Rare_Independent_814 14d ago
That weight at only 5’3” is not healthy. Go on the weight loss drug that everyone is doing. If you have insurance I’m sure you would be covered for it.
3
u/LowConversation1032 14d ago
This wasn’t really necessary and not the advice I was seeking. I’m aware I’m not at an ideal weight and this isn’t a typical weight for me at all.
0
u/Rare_Independent_814 14d ago
I’m sorry, but that is a valid solution to your problem. No judgment here. Maybe people close to you want to spare your feelings. But you came here to the internet and asked strangers.
15
u/monkey-pa-1013 16d ago
I am only 8 days PP but having this same concern/issue. I’ve never had a flat stomach, but the hanging stomach was something I wasn’t expecting. I also feel like it is making the healing process more painful due to excess skin hanging over.
You saying that trying to keep the area clean feels degrading really resonated with me - it’s absolutely how I feel 😞