Weight loss after c-section

[Jennarator]

Okay, this might need to be moved to a differnt location, I couldn't find the weight loss thread.

Anyways, it's been 9 weeks since I had my baby. I just went back to work, and that's when I decided to start watching what I eat. Weighed myself then five days later did it agian. I put on weight! I cut out a ton of junk and thought I would have lost at least a little.

Well I heard it is much harder after a c-section, and I really had a bad time, and had to get 5 units of blood. (I don't know if that makes any difference in recovering and weight loss, though.)

So I am asking how to start getting some weight off. I am feeling discouraged since this has never really been an issue for me at all. I thought just cutting out all the junk would do SOMETHING! I know how to go on a diet, butI am afraid to work out, I feel like I have no belly muscles to work out with. (I always had a really stoung tummy.)

I guess my real issue is that I am totally depressed about the weight I am. I have never been this heavy in my life! I am really discouraged and feeling bad about myself and even feeling sorry for my husband that now has a fat wife. Now I just want to give up and eat junk.....

[Guest]

I haven't specifically tried since my c-section a little over a year ago, beyond trying to cut back on junk and watching my portions. Sometimes.

What I wanted to tell you is that something really weird happened about 9 months after my section. It was as if I woke up one morning, and my stomach was noticeably tighter. My husband saw it, too. All that skin that was stretched (I carried twins, too) just seemed to reel itself back in or something.

Another thing is that I never, ever lose weight while nursing. I don't know anyone that does. I suspect it's a myth!

You're only 9 weeks out! Be gentle and kind with yourself, enjoy your baby, eat a little better and move a little more, and stop worrying so much. :)

[pam]

I had a c-section with twins myself. I'm with Eowyn. While the norm is you are ready to go back to work 6 weeks after delivery, that doesn't necessarily mean that your stomach is also ready for all the strenuous exercise to get it back into shape. Your abdomen has been through a huge ordeal not only with pregnancy but with the c-section itself. Also your stomach will probably never be that flat stomach you had before delivery. I'm not sure if you had a c-section with your other kids.

Your body takes much more time to adjust to the hormonal differences it went through while you were pregnant. So hang in there. Continue to eat healthy, get some exercise in. Walk and that sort of thing. While it can be discouraging I think you will find (as Eowyn did and as I did) that in a few more months you will start to see the difference.

[Jennarator]

Never had a c-section before. It feels very different. I don't feel like myself at all.

[Guest]

Nursing = weight loss. Myth. I would even go as far as to say trying to lose weight while nursing is not a good idea. Junk food and highly processed foods needs to go - not because you want to lose weight, but because anything you put in your body goes straight to the baby through your mammary glands. True health is not about what your weighing scale tells you. True health is about how your body can efficiently support all the demands placed on it.

C-section = harder to lose weight. Myth. It depends on your rate of recovery. C-section is major surgery. There are those who can bounce back from any major surgery and get back to where they left off. Then there are those who will never be the same again. And secondly, the hormonal changes the body goes through during childbirth can also affect your chemical structure - some rides the chemical change and get right back to where they left off, some will never be the same again.

I had 2 c-sections. I was an avid tennis player prior to my c-sections. I can't play tennis anymore - it feels like everytime I do a serve, my intestines will fall on the ground, so I quit on it. Prior to giving birth, I can pretty much eat anything and not gain a pants size. Now, overindulgence goes straight to my hips that I have fat jeans and regular jeans hanging in my closet. But then, I gave birth to my 2nd child in my mid-30's... that same age where even without childbirth, chemical change in the body simply occurs through the aging process.

So, what I'm trying to tell you. Let your husband worry about having a fat wife. All you should worry about is if you're eating healthy and living healthy (plenty of rest and minimized stress). Period. Lots of diets are not healthy, especially when you are stressing yourself caring for a brand new baby and maintaining an ideal self-image. When the baby is grown up some, then you can reevaluate then.

[Wingnut]

Another thing is that I never, ever lose weight while nursing. I don't know anyone that does. I suspect it's a myth!

My second is only five months old now, but my first just turned four. I had c-sections with both, and have breast-fed both. With my first, I didn't think I was losing weight while breast-feeding, which was discouraging. When I weaned her, though, I put on about 5 pounds within a month or so, without changing any habits other than that I was no longer breast-feeding. I didn't think I was losing weight, but the breast-feeding was actually keeping me slightly -- marginally -- lower.

[Jennarator]

I am in my very late 30's and I guess that might have a bit to do with it. Oh well.....I guess I neeed to save up for a new wardrobe. ( I am still in maternity clothes.)

[annewandering]

I have no experience with c-sections but I do with blood transfusions. After mine I had lots of weird new physical problems that I never had before or they were minimal before. I was very weak after having very little blood for a long time but it felt like my body was invaded by foreign things it was not up to fighting. It was all a huge stress to my body even though it felt wonderful to finally have my body creating blood that I could keep. ^^ lol.

It seems to me that there is something to the idea that blood from transfusions is not quite the perfect match and your body reacts to it in odd ways. Maybe one is to hold, harder, on to energy sources at least for awhile.

[rameumptom]

Don't focus on weight, but on fitness. You can exercise right now, even if your stomach is not ready. Exercise your legs, arms, etc. Muscle burns more energy, but also weighs more than fat. So, as you build muscle, you will burn your fat, but may not lose any weight. So, focus on fitness.

Then, if you want to also lose fat quicker, try one of the established diet programs: Weight Watchers, etc. It will teach you how much you can eat and what kinds of foods are best to eat (green veggies instead of carbs, for example).

[Guest]

Don't focus on weight, but on fitness. You can exercise right now, even if your stomach is not ready. Exercise your legs, arms, etc. Muscle burns more energy, but also weighs more than fat. So, as you build muscle, you will burn your fat, but may not lose any weight. So, focus on fitness.

Then, if you want to also lose fat quicker, try one of the established diet programs: Weight Watchers, etc. It will teach you how much you can eat and what kinds of foods are best to eat (green veggies instead of carbs, for example).

This is great advice from Rame.

I just want to say that if you're nursing, you can't really follow the Weight Watcher's "regular" meal plans. You'll need a lot more calories and certain nutrients to keep your milk production up.

[Bini]

You mentioned before that you struggle with an eating disorder. Shoot me a PM if you need someone to talk to. Weightloss is challenging for most women after pregnancy but can be especially daunting for those that carry the burden of an ED (regardless of how severe it is - having a baby can be a trigger). Just remember, it took 9 months for your body to transform in order to be a home for your baby - allow your body time to recuperate :] And also, remember the support system you have! When I was dealing with postpartum depression and postpartum image issues - my husband was there. My personal hurdle was getting stretchmarks. Never had them before in my life. And because I have dark skin, they don't fade like they do with lighter skin. One day, I had a meltdown over them and a friend said, "my husband calls them tiger stripes", and I laughed and smiled. Our bodies go through a lot, and the truth is, they are never the same after pregnancy- so don't put that pressure on yourself! Allow your body time to adjust, work towards goals of a healthy weight and maintain those goals to stay at a healthy weight :]