Flat Stomach After Pregnancies???

Pilates is great for toning but in some cases not even the highest levels of exercise can help. A tummy tuck is great but it's invasive so that's really up to you. Down time is pretty lenghty too. Liposuction could also be a component. Traditional lipo is very aggressive and the down time is even worse. There's something new called Smart Lipo. Much better results are common because it's more of a sculting mechanism, down time is very minimal (back to work in 48 hours) and you're awake and coherent for the entire procedure. Also, there's something called VelaShape by Syneron. It's a wonderful service that's FDA approved and totally safe and I can honestly say, the results are fantastic. So great in fact many OB/GYN offices are doing the service right in their practice postpartum. Also, you can purchase the service in a series from a medical spa. Finally, I would never recommend doing anything that isn't FDA approved.

If you need recommendations of doctors or further information, be in touch. I'm happy to help.

Given your description, you may have an abdominal separation, called a diastasis recti, very common, 2 out of 3 women have it postpartum. The book, Bounce Back into Shape After Baby by Caroline Creager who is a PT explains this and shows corrective exercises for it. You can do 1000 crunches a day and it will not flatten b/c of the separation. You can always go to a physical therapist to have this checked since you are 5 yrs postpartum, it will not be easy to get it back. The way to check if you have a separation is to lie flat on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor. When you crunch up, pulling up to wear your mid-back is off the floor, you may see a "peak form" very common to see in pregnancy, then you have a separation. If you don't see the peak, then go one inch above your navel, take your finger poke down and feel for a hole. If you have it, then you have a separation. Qualified perinatal traines can test for this as well as a physical therapist. Once it is together, your abs will begin to flatten.

Good luck!
J. W. MPH, ACE-CPT
National Program Director
Healthy Moms(R) Fitness

The only thing that really helped me was Pilates. A lot of the "M. tummy" is a muscle tone thing and Pilates really does a great job with this. You may never completely lose the flab (the skin is just stretched out) but it certainly helps you hold it in. I think it's worth it to sign up for a "real" class and then if you want to do more on your own pick up a DVD like the Windsor Pilates series.

I have 3 kids, 16, 18 & 22 years. I'm 5'3" 135 lbs. I had to give up my treadmill for an elliptical last January due to heel pain. I don't diet but Pilates & one hour cardio 5 times a week keep me in size 6 or 8. My tummy is not totally flat but I wear a 2 piece swimsuit proudly. I experimented til I found what worked for me.