Excessive loose skin masses in the abdominal area is commonly visible in women who have delivered a baby in the recent past. Post-delivery, the uterus takes about 6 weeks to bounce back in shape. However, the abdominal muscles which have also remained stretched for as long as 9 months, are often unable to retain their former tautness. The phenomenon is quite similar to what happens with a rubber band which has been repeatedly stretched over time. After a point in time, it fails to regain its original form and shape, just like the abdominal muscles.
How to Get Rid of Extra Skin after Pregnancy – Exercise and Simple Practises
If getting rid of the extra loose skin is foremost on your minds, there are some simple measures to be pursued for the same. Most of them are related to physical exercises and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These would include:
• Start with some exercises which are low in impact yet great for strength building purposes. Begin with brisk walks spanning 20 to 30 minutes. Follow up with some swimming and free hand exercises. Subsequently, you could also consider joining classes which impart training on post-partum fitness. Indulge more in leg lifts, abdominal crunches, pelvic tilts and bicep curls. The idea is to strengthen all the muscles of the abdomen through effective workouts. Cycling could also be a great option.
• Take regular yoga lessons. Asanas like Bhujangasana will help in tightening the abdominal muscles much quicker.
• Opt for regular massages in the abdominal area. Massaging with light oil will help in working up the elasticity of the muscles, helping to tighten them in the process.
• Continue to breast feed your child on a regular basis. Loosening of skin post pregnancy is due to the enlargement of the uterine muscles and the space the baby had been occupying. When you breastfeed, the body produces a hormone called oxytocin which helps the breasts as well as the uterus to shrink. This phenomenon will help in tightening loose skin as well.
• Finally, if the skin is indeed refusing to rebound, plastic surgery could be a suitable option to resort to. There is a procedure called abdominoplasty which removes excess fat and skin from the tummy area. This is more popularly known as tummy tuck. Seek appointment from an expert plastic surgeon and discuss the available options with him. You present health condition would have to be checked at the outset before considering cosmetic surgery as an option.
Attending to the problem of loose skin post pregnancy promptly, would be a wise thing to do. Leading a physically active life will sort the problem to a large extent.