Unhappy With Your C-Section Scar? Is That Post-Pregnancy “Pooch” Evident Despite Losing All That Weight?

Here you are, several months to years after having your beautiful baby…your pre-pregnancy weight is right around the corner…You’ve worked hard at it…It should be bikini-ready…SHOULD BE…except for 2 things:

1. What is that horrible scar on your lower abdomen?

2. After losing all this weight, my does my belly still stick out?

Unsightly C-Section Scar

Unfortunately, some individuals develop thick, heavy red scars after any surgical procedure, and C-sections are no exception to the rule. They can be very sensitive and painful, despite the scars looking like the surgeon fell asleep mid-delivery.

Post-Pregnancy Pooch

Diastasis recti is a fairly common condition of pregnancy and postpartum in which the right and left halves of Rectus Abdominis muscle spread apart at the body’s mid line fascia, the linea alba.

Widening and thinning of the mid line tissue occurs in response the force of the uterus pushing against the abdominal wall, in conjunction with pregnancy hormones that soften connective tissue. Diastasis recti can occur anytime in the last half of pregnancy but is most commonly seen after pregnancy when the abdominal wall is lax and the thinner mid line tissue no longer provides adequate support for the torso and internal organs.

A small amount of widening of the mid line happens in all pregnancies and is normal. Diastasis recti occurs in about 30% of all pregnancies. Some postpartum women’s mid lines close to less than 2 finger-widths spontaneously, but for many, the tissue remains too wide, causing problems.

Quick Fix?

The above-referenced issues pose a real threat to having a beach-ready body! As far as revising your C-section scar, your treatment options may vary based on the type and degree of scarring and can include:

• Simple topical treatments
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Surgical revision with advanced techniques in wound closure

Scar revision surgery is meant to minimize the scar so that it is more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture.

Although scar revision can provide a more pleasing cosmetic result or improve a scar that has healed poorly, a scar cannot be completely erased.

When it comes to dealing with that post-pregnancy “pooch” there are a few options that center around a tummy tuck (a.k.a abdominoplasty). Not only are the excess skin and stretch marks able to be removed, but the rectus diastasis is able to be tightened like an internal corset. For those women who do NOT have a large amount of excess and skin and only have the rectus diastasis, a mini-tummy tuck can offer lasting results that look amazing!

Call the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group today to see if you are a candidate for C-section scar revision and/or tummy tuck! (310) 275-6600