How do I get rid of C-section overhang?

What is a C-section overhang?

C-section overhang simply refers to the excess skin or fat that hangs over a cesarean scar.

It’s a common side effect of C-section surgery and nothing to worry about. However, it can cause confidence issues in many women - they often feel uncomfortable being naked and struggle to find clothes that are both comfortable and flattering.

What causes a C-section overhang?

A C-section operation involves making an incision in the stomach and the womb to deliver a baby. After the baby has been delivered the mother is stitched up and the incision site is closed. 

An overhang after a c-section is common and is caused by the tightness of the scar in comparison to the surrounding skin, causing the appearance of an overhanging stomach area.

Can a C-section overhang go naturally?

Every woman is different, and so is the length of time it takes for their body to return to their pre-baby body after a C-section. Recovery depends on:

• Pre-pregnancy weight

• Diet

• Exercise 

• Breastfeeding

• Hormones

• Genetics

• Previous pregnancies

It can take anywhere from a few months to over a year for women to lose their post-partum stomachs. There is no rush and every mother’s journey is different. 

However, some women - no matter how much exercise they do - find it hard to lose the excess fat and tone the skin that sits in the lower abdominal area post-caesarean. 

Can you prevent a C-section overhang?

Things like ab exercises, pelvic tilts and kegels can help build strength in the abdominal area to tighten the muscles and limit the look of an overhang after a C-section. 

However, as some of the causes include genetics and hormone levels, for some women, the way your stomach looks after a C-section is hard to prevent. 

This is why many Mothers turn to surgery to smooth out the look of their abdomen and achieve a more toned appearance. Resulting in increased confidence and self-esteem.

How a tummy tuck reduces a C-section overhang 

For those who can’t get rid of a C-section overhang naturally, many women turn to abdominoplasty - often known as a tummy tuck.  

A tummy tuck procedure with an expert MYA surgeon will remove excess skin or fat, unwanted scars and stretch marks, and tighten the stomach muscles, to create the appearance of a flatter stomach.

During pregnancy, abdominal muscles can separate creating the appearance of a gap - this is something that can also be repaired with a tummy tuck.

The procedure varies from person to person, depending on the patient’s individual requirements. The average tummy tuck procedure can take up to 3 hours in surgery and patients are required to rest at home for 7-14 days during recovery.

Get a tummy tuck with MYA 

Patients will get a better idea of how a tummy tuck surgeryprocedure can help them by speaking to one of our specialist MYA advisors - contact us today to find out more. 

For more information relating to tummy tuck procedures or any other cosmetic surgery procedure available with MYA, head over to our Blog or the MYA Forum where you’ll find articles and threads covering a wide range of topics.