What Can I Do About My C-Section Scar and Pooch?

C-section, or Cesarean delivery, is a common option for childbirth. In 2016, CDC reports that 31.9% of all deliveries in the U.S. were by c section. In some cases women have this type of delivery because it is safer, even medically indicated for them. A Cesarean childbirth involves cutting of abdominal skin and muscles to deliver your baby. After the procedure, you might be left with a C-section scar where the surgical incision took place.

In addition to a scar, you might also have a C-section pooch or bulging belly that won’t go away. Women often wonder what this shelf of tissue is. That “pooch” or belly bulge. It hangs over the C-section scar, bulges over the waist of your pants, and sticks out when you try and put on snug camis or sweaters. It bugs you each time you look in the mirror. What can we do about it?

Let’s talk more about the C-section scar and pooch, and how we treat them.

⬇ YouTube Video on Treating Your C-Section Scar and Pooch ⬇

The C-section pooch does not mean you had a problem with surgery or that your scars are healing poorly. Rather, it means that your scar is stuck down to the muscle below. Usually there is a layer of fat between the skin and the muscle. When this layer is disrupted, the scar is not able to move freely.

The C-section scar is anchored down to your core abdominal muscles. As a result, the stretched out skin of your belly and the fat above it are more noticeable. The scar stops them from sliding around like the rest of your skin. Learn more about what causes the C-section pooch here.

Sometimes all your C-section pooch needs is time and regular massage of the scar. After 6-12 months, if that C-section shelf is still there, chances are high that it will always be there unless we treat it.

The good news is that surgery to remove the C-section scar also gives your board-certified plastic surgeon access to cut out the extra skin of the shelf. We tighten your muscles at the same time, a procedure called tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. If you’ve lost most of the baby weight, you might be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck, which focuses on the lower abdomen.

During your consultation, we explore the possibility of a Mommy Makeover along with the tummy tuck to make sure we meet all your body contouring goals. Don’t fret about a C-section scar or pooch any longer – contact us today.

If your C-section shelf or pooch hangs down and causes frustration each time you try to wear a dress, jeans, low-rise pants, a bikini, or a tank top, then it is affecting your everyday life. Many women work out as much as they can and still having that residual belly pooch. This pooch from separated muscles can shift your center of gravity causing lower back pain or some stress urinary incontinence.

If any of the above describe you, then it is worth considering a consultation for a tummy tuck. When you come in for your consult, you will meet with me, your female board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Tannan. I will show you how much of your C-section pooch is from loose, stretched out, separated core muscles. I will show you how much of the C-section shelf is from fat and skin. When we do a Tummy Tuck, the scar will be a little wider than your C-section scar. I will show you where you can expect your scar to be during the consultation.

We will talk about the differences between a Full Tummy Tuck and a Mini Tummy Tuck. I will show you how we tighten your waistline with the muscle repair. I include liposuction to contour your love-handles when I do a Tummy Tuck. We will talk about the recovery after a Tummy Tuck, and you will meet with our Patient Care Coordinator to go over scheduling and the cost of a Tummy Tuck in our on-site, fully certified all-female operating room. Still have questions? That is perfectly normal! We should meet in person to discuss whether a Tummy Tuck is right for you.

Be sure to tell me where you live when you come in to see me. We happily take care of locals from the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Wake Forest) and the surrounding areas like Knightdale, Garner, Graham, Henderson, Oxford, Roxboro, Roanoke Rapids, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and going up and down the east coast. We like to plan out your recovery so if you driving up from Myrtle Beach for plastic surgery or coming down from Danville, we want to make sure we plan out every step of the way.

Tummy Tuck – Before and After

Tummy Tuck Before and After pictures are a great way to see the profound impact this procedure can have on a c-section belly pooch or shelf. Slide the cursor to see the amazing difference with a Tummy Tuck performed by Dr. Tannan.

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Schedule Your C-Section Scar and Tummy Tuck Consultation with Dr. Tannan Today!