C-Section Shelf (C-Section Pouch): Why It Happens and How to Fix the Lower Belly Bulge Why your stomach may still look pregnant after a C-section — and what can be done about it

by

Pregnancy can permanently stretch the abdominal skin, particularly in the lower abdomen. Once stretched beyond a certain point, skin does not reliably retract.

Common features include:

  • Loose skin does not tighten with exercise
  • Excess skin that folds over the C-section scar
  • A soft bulge that persists despite weight normalisation

In addition, localized fat deposits may remain in the lower abdomen even in otherwise lean individuals. While fat contributes to abdominal fullness, fat alone is rarely the sole cause of a true C-section shelf.

In some patients, loose or hanging skin is not limited to a scar shelf but reflects more generalised excess skin after weight loss.

Clinical Assessment of Post-Pregnancy Abdominal Contour

During clinical assessment, surgeons typically evaluate:

  • Scar quality and mobility
  • Skin excess above and below the belly button
  • The amount of fat and its distribution
  • Presence and extent of abdominal muscle separation

How surgeons determine the cause of the bulge.

During assessment, three key questions are considered:
1Where is the bulge located?

Is the prominence limited to the scar line or present across the entire abdomen?

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Leave a Comment