Belly Button

Hello

I am about 6 stone overweight and I never lost the baby weight.

My tummy is in quite a state after 3 c-sections. I also have a gap between my tummy muscles of about 10cm. Ive also had 2 laparoscopy operations.

Can anyone tell me why my belly button is disappearing?

Thanks x

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Lizzie72,

Welcome to the NHS weight loss forum. I don't have an answer to your question, but hopefully someone out there might be able to suggest something regarding your belly button.

Do have a read of our Welcome Newbie post, and see if you like what we have in the forum, and whether any of it might be helpful to you. If you want to join in our Monday group weigh-ins, then you'd be very welcome. The NHS 12 week plan is really good, so worth a look.

Have a great week.

Lowcal

[IndigoBlue61]

It's hard when our bodies resemble hot cross buns due to surgery/pregnancy etc 😕 I try to take comfort from the fact my body has produced three children 😊

In answer to your question, I've not seen mine for years . . . Only recently found my feet!! Lol 😊 Hope someone can help 😊

[Itsbab]

Hi sorry I can't tell you that but you have had 3 lovely children. I only had 1 c-section, a vertical one so can relate to the tummy muscles as mine have never been the same since. I call my belly button downwards scar my escape route as later had to have it opened up again for a fibroid removal and hysterectomy.

I too would love to loose about 6 stone to be what I was when I got married 36 years ago, just work on the weight loss and deal with the tummy scar etc later one step at a time and you will get there small goals help along the way.

Good Luck Bev

[Hidden]

Could it be the start of a hernia? x

[TheJuggler]

Hi lizzie72. ,Have you been checked for a hernia at all? After my last baby I just thought the gap was normal but my doctor told me I had a hernia and needed to see a specialist. I actually had two - an umbilical and a ventral. I ended up having surgery to sort them both but definitely worth getting checked as it can really affect your core and you can really damage yourself if you try to exercise with them. Definitely get it checked. Oh and Pilate's us great for helping but only after a doctor's check. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to TheJuggler]

Hello Newbiewi

My last child was 6 years ago.

Thank you for the advice - I did mention it to my GP and he just shrugged it off.

I have looked on You Tube on how to check for diastasis recti and it appears my gap is about 10cm!

Another GP said that they dont repair umbilical hernias in my area.

Im at a loss on what to do.

May I ask was your umbilical hernia popping out? My belly button seems to be shrinking, depth and circumference.

x

[TheJuggler in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Yes mine did stick out. I was actually at the doctor's with my son and she said 'are you expecting again?' when I said no she just said 'hernia!'. Possibly the quickest diagnosis ever! I had no core strength and if I tried a sit up it stuck out. My belly button really spread, it was huge! Definitely get a second opinion as you really don't want to do any damage. Mine wasn't painful at all which is why I just assumed it was normal after a particularly big baby (but I didn't have a c section). Is so hard as your body changes so much regardless. I was really lucky that my GP was fab. I ended up using my medical insurance but where I am there was an NHS option. Could you try another gp practice? Could you look at a private referral just to get some advice? At least you would know if it is a hernia and could find out options. Also if there is a Pilate's teacher near you they may have some advice too on gentle exercise to help. Sorry for the long post.

[Hidden in reply to TheJuggler]

Thank you!

Yes, I have the "alien" popping out of my tummy if I do a sit up. My family think it's quit scary!

I thought this was the recti muscle separation.

Ill get another appointment and go from there.

x