Women who give birth via cesarean section are often left with a pouch of excess skin above their scar, commonly referred to as a c-section pooch or c-shelf. Since everyone heals differently, it can’t be predicted whether or not a c-shelf will develop and, if it does, if it will fade naturally. While diet and exercise can help women lose excess fat after pregnancy, a healthy lifestyle can’t make a c-section scar and bulge go away. Some women may find their c-shelf sticks around for years, while others may notice the area gradually flattens over time.
Those with a prominent c-shelf may feel discouraged when they can’t seem to flatten their belly, despite a rigorous exercise routine. Unfortunately, if this concern doesn’t go away on its own, surgical intervention is typically the only effective solution. At Richmond Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Neil Zemmel helps women address a variety of post-pregnancy concerns in the mommy makeover, which combines multiple procedures into one treatment plan.
Tummy tuck surgery, specifically, is one of the most common procedures performed as part of the mommy makeover. This is because the abdomen tends to have excess skin after pregnancy, which can be resolved through the procedure. Stretched abdominal muscles, which lead to another kind of postpartum abdominal bulge, are also corrected during this surgery. For women with a c-section scar and pooch, a tummy tuck can remove the excess skin protruding above the scar, as well as tighten and smooth the overall belly area.
Keep in mind, however, that a tummy tuck involves its own incisions and post-operative scarring. While these scars tend to be longer than a c-section scar, they also tend to be thinner, and the c-shelf puffiness is typically not a problem anymore. As with any type of scarring, it should gradually lighten and flatten over time, though it may never completely go away. To help patients minimize the appearance of their scars, Dr. Zemmel offers laser scar removal techniques.
For more details about how a tummy tuck can help reduce c-section scarring and excess skin, please contact us to set up a consultation with Dr. Zemmel.
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