Wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation and can advise...

I'm 30 years old, have two sons who are 11 months apart. They are 3 & 4.

My husband believes that because my pregnancies were back to back, my belly muscles never had time to recover and now are damaged. I went to a free consult with a plastic surgeon, and he said it's all fat and I need lipo.

I lost 22 lbs in a little less than six months. I am no longer considered overweight, I'm "ideal".
I look normal and fine everywhere but my belly. It's protruding like I am pregnant.

I have tried many different work out regimens, and Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred works best for me. No matter what I tone up, though, my belly never changes. Am I doomed to look pregnant forever? Any secrets to flattening myself back up, other than paying $2500 for someone to suck the fat out? *shudder*

Thanks in advance!

Annie

I would consult another Dr (not plastic surgeon) to find out if you still have muscle
separation from the pregnancies. I hope you get answers to your concern

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"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." - Edith Wharton

Does your stomach protrude, but still firm? Or is loose skin that sags? Firm but protrudes can be flattened by vigourous workouts. It's basically just fat under the skin, over the muscle. Cardio will help you lower your body fat, and that will make your stomach flatter. If it is loose, and sags, lipo will not help. You would have to have a tummy tuck.

Also, something to consider is a colon cleanse. May sound crazy but you can easily carry 5 extra pounds or more just from fecal matter.

Please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above mentioned.

I have heard that the P90X workout is very effective.

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Sadly you can't target where your body decides to lose weight/firm etc. so it's just a long and terrible process.

I'm not a mom but I started life overweight and it was a long uphill battle getting past all my body insecurities and getting to "ideal" and I too had fat deposits in peculiar places/ways.

I would speak to another doctor, I rarely if ever think the knife is the answer. I know it's frustrating but you'll thank yourself in the long run.

It's just calories in v. calories out, it boils down to 80% diet, 20% workout, 100% willpower.

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In my own personal experience when I am trying to lose, atkins works best for me. And my belly is the first place to "deflate" so to speak after the initial 2 wks of induction. I really bloat up and gain when i am eating anything made with flour.
You could try cutting that from your diet for a couple weeks and see if it helps you.

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Thank you Jan

Are you sure its fat and not just excess skin?

A lot women experience this, especially after losing a lot of weight very quickly. You can end up with a pouch of skin.

I'd see a doctor or a fitness instructor and see what they say it is and if theres anything you can do yourself.

Even if you did have lipo, the skin would still be there and then you'd have to pay out thousands more $ to have this removed and its a very serious surgery, as is lipo.

I'm a mum similar age to you too!!

Did you have a c section or natural birth as with c sections they either cut or pull your muscles which makes a huge difference.

I would speak to your gp to check for any medical problems (cysts etc) get that cleared then think about your options dieting alone won't always flatten your stomach if it's too quick or on a fad diet (Atkins etc) then you're likely to gain it back!!

I agree with t about colonics I'm v slim (us 0-2) but had a colonic years back and lost 7 pounds which is rank all that poo how gross it also helps clear out any bad bacteria which causes bloating. You can take probiotics too they can help flatten your stomach as a lot is just wind.

Surgery wise I hate it when people go oh no no no seriously if you are that bothered by it and tried everything go for it but do your research, go for at least 3 consultations with different surgeons ask fortheir credentials their fail rates, complications, why they think u need the surgery (proper surgeons won't operate if they don't think it's suitable)

I had surgery last year had complications and was vvvv ill an lost a lot of blood but I wouldn't change it for the world it made a huge difference to my confidence

I was going to say as well, that seems like a good price for Lipo.. I doubt it has anything to do with having two kids close in age however.
I have 4 back to back and didn't notice a difference after the first.. some things just never seem the same. I've always been a fairly slim person however.

I'd say if you can afford the surgery go ahead and do it if it helps you feel better!

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Thank you Jan for the lovely siggie!