Vanity issues...

I had an appt at my dermatologist yesterday. While I was there I asked if the extra skin and stretch marks on my stomach are as good as they're going to get. He said no, the skin still needs time to heal and should look much better over time. He gave me some samples of Retin-A Micro to use to help the process along. Has anyone else ever tried this and seen any results?

Also, just thought I'd throw this in since there's been a couple recent posts on the awful postpartum prodruding belly. I decided to schedule an appt with a physical therapist so they can hopefully tell me how far the ab muscles are separated and show me some exercises to help. I've read the books, but still feel like I'm not doing them right...I called my OB for a referral and he said it's still normal for them to be separated at this point (I'm 4 mos post-partum), that it takes a long time for them to slowly strengthen and go back. He said they have a 2 year old, and his wife is still healing. This seems contradictory to what I've read, so I'm glad he gave me the referral anyway. But it made me feel a little better, and thought it might help those of you still worrying...

 

I've never used that, but I've read it's supposed to be good. I do know that having twins is hard on your body, and it takes some time to heal. I hope you get the results you are looking for, but since you're only 4 months PP, don't push yourself too hard yet. :hug99:

 

I agree with Emily. At 4 months, dont push yourself. Give it time and you will get back to where you want to be.

 

I know what you mean about feeling self conscious about your mid section! I work out 5 times a week, and my belly still pokes out a little and what's really strange to me is that before pregnancy my problem areas were my hips and thighs and now it's like I have this extra layer of fat over my belly area that I've never had before in my entire life!

I've heard from other moms on this site that it takes a minimum of 1 year for your belly to go back to normal so I'm giving it 3 more months before I really start to worry! I don't mind the stretch marks so much, but I'd really like for my belly to be flat again!

 

For me, I thought at six months it was as good as it was going to get. Well, at eight months there's been a change and my tummy looks much better. I definitely believe it just takes some time. After all, we were stretched sooo much! :hug99: Be careful with exercises and let us know how it goes.

 

I keep hoping that someone will some day post that the wrinkley twin skin tightened back up...can it happen? I feel like it looks better then it did two months ago and maybe like 5 years from now it will be gone
Is that Retin-A Micro for stretch marks or for firming the skin?
Thanks for posting this-I am seriously thinking about a tummy tuck-I want my flat smooth belly back!

 

My OB said it takes a year for the skin to go back; but that it may not ever be as tight as it was (stretched beyond imagination). She did say that once the separation is better, that ab exercises are fine. The most important thing with ab work is using correct form. If you do the exercises incorrectly, you can build the muscles outward (yikes!). So I think seeing a PT is a great idea. Once you get a good idea of where you are in terms of diastasis recti and get a feel for how you need to work those muscles, you'll be able to do it on your own.

FWIW, I used Helen Byrne's Exercise after Pregnancy book (she has a video also; but that's not my thing) and worked out a few times with a trainer at my gym, and it helped me. I'm still "tightening" down; but it's helped a lot. I had a lot of back issues with pregnancy and afterward; and really focusing on working the core has made a huge difference with that.

 

QUOTE(Lesley Anne @ Jul 24 2008, 09:45 AM) [snapback]893412[/snapback]
Is that Retin-A Micro for stretch marks or for firming the skin?


He said it was for both. He said to come back in a month and he'd check the progress. I'm not overly optimistic, but I'm willing to try it!

 

I was just going to post something about this whole "twin skin" thing. I know I am only 2 weeks pp but I am so self concious! My tummy is starting to go down, but now I am getting some hanging loose skin. It's nice to hear that if I give it time there's a good chance it will tighten back up, at least to some degree.

Did any of you not want your hubby to see your midsection for quite awhile after having your twins? I'm afraid that he will be disgusted. I should have no reason to feel this way as he has never made an unkind remark about my appearance in all of the 9 years that we have been married but I still feel really self concious about it all.

 

Thanks! That's good to hear. I do do the exercises where you contract the muscles together, but I do have fat and it still sticks out a bit. I may see if I can get a referral. I'm really self conscious about it because people always ask if I am pregnant. And it didn't help me any when I went to a local twins group meeting and MOST of the moms who had given birth around the same time as me have already lost ALL the weight, have NO protruding belly and look fabulous.

 

QUOTE(kj427 @ Jul 24 2008, 11:20 AM) [snapback]893639[/snapback]
I was just going to post something about this whole "twin skin" thing. I know I am only 2 weeks pp but I am so self concious! My tummy is starting to go down, but now I am getting some hanging loose skin. It's nice to hear that if I give it time there's a good chance it will tighten back up, at least to some degree.

Did any of you not want your hubby to see your midsection for quite awhile after having your twins? I'm afraid that he will be disgusted. I should have no reason to feel this way as he has never made an unkind remark about my appearance in all of the 9 years that we have been married but I still feel really self concious about it all.


Oh, I was mortified at 2 wks pp! But there is a HUGE improvement from then to now. At that point I thought it was hopeless, now I'm like hey, maybe someday it will be close to normal again. And yes, I was really self-conscious for my husband to see me too. I don't know why, he'd never do or say anything to make me feel bad and I had to keep reminding myself that look at the two little gifts I brought him. I like to think our husbands will always be grateful for what we put our bodies through.

 

Honestly, it took 12 months for me to get back to a "semi-normal". My stretch marks have faded, but still there. But the skin has tightened up. My boobs have too made a huge improvement in the past few months since weaning at 1 year.

OR maybe I'm just getting used to the "new me!"

At 2 weeks I was completely disgusted by myself! Trust me, it will get better!

 

QUOTE(DeniseT @ Jul 24 2008, 09:58 AM) [snapback]893574[/snapback]
He said it was for both. He said to come back in a month and he'd check the progress. I'm not overly optimistic, but I'm willing to try it!

You will HAVE to give us an update! I will buy a gallon of it if it works!

 

I posted on this a few months ago, completely in tears and seriously considering a tummy-tuck over a new car.... (rethought that one...lol) Anyways, heres my story... I was 125lbs and 5'2" when I got pregnant. I was in like a size 4?? Anyways on delivery day I was 175lbs!! I was told by my ob no ab workouts until 4 months pp due to a HUGE seperation. So I didn't and I ate what I wanted when I wanted. About 5 months pp, I started to workout (at 145lbs and NOT happy) I bought the Slim in 6 program... it worked very well and while I haven't done it daily since acheiving my goal of 115lbs (YAY!!) it kept the weight off, and it has a "slim in 6-pack" which was great for my tummy. While I still have some loose skin hanging, working out and using a daily firming lotion has done wonders for me. I am still considering the tummy tuck and boob job, but I'm certainly not putting a car off for it! I have been in a bathing suit, though not a bikini... every says why not?? I say "I had twins!! Use your imagination!"

It gets better!! Everyone told me that and I didn't believe it but it does!!

SHannon

 

QUOTE(DeniseT @ Jul 24 2008, 03:03 PM) [snapback]894131[/snapback]
Oh, I was mortified at 2 wks pp! But there is a HUGE improvement from then to now. At that point I thought it was hopeless, now I'm like hey, maybe someday it will be close to normal again. And yes, I was really self-conscious for my husband to see me too. I don't know why, he'd never do or say anything to make me feel bad and I had to keep reminding myself that look at the two little gifts I brought him. I like to think our husbands will always be grateful for what we put our bodies through.


It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that has a hard time wanting to let DH see me like I am. I also try to tell myself that my body has performed a great miracle by bringing these two precious babies into the world but at the same time I can't wait until I fee somewhat "normal" again.


QUOTE(2betterthan1 @ Jul 24 2008, 08:34 PM) [snapback]894739[/snapback]
I posted on this a few months ago, completely in tears and seriously considering a tummy-tuck over a new car.... (rethought that one...lol) Anyways, heres my story... I was 125lbs and 5'2" when I got pregnant. I was in like a size 4?? Anyways on delivery day I was 175lbs!! I was told by my ob no ab workouts until 4 months pp due to a HUGE seperation. So I didn't and I ate what I wanted when I wanted. About 5 months pp, I started to workout (at 145lbs and NOT happy) I bought the Slim in 6 program... it worked very well and while I haven't done it daily since acheiving my goal of 115lbs (YAY!!) it kept the weight off, and it has a "slim in 6-pack" which was great for my tummy. While I still have some loose skin hanging, working out and using a daily firming lotion has done wonders for me. I am still considering the tummy tuck and boob job, but I'm certainly not putting a car off for it! I have been in a bathing suit, though not a bikini... every says why not?? I say "I had twins!! Use your imagination!"

It gets better!! Everyone told me that and I didn't believe it but it does!!

SHannon


It's nice to hear everyone's success stories, it gives me hope!