After pregnancy and childbirth, it’s normal for many women to experience changes, especially in their abdominal area. These changes not only affect their physical appearance but also cause changes in the muscle, skin, and fat tissue in the abdominal area.
While such changes are a natural part of pregnancy and childbirth, they can cause both emotional and physical discomfort for many mothers. This loss of self-confidence and increased self-consciousness can make it difficult for women to dress the way they want and participate in activities like sports or swimming.
Mum tum is also known as “Mum Tummy,” “Mum Tum Overhang,” or “Mum Belly.” This condition epitomizes the challenges women face during pregnancy and postpartum. During pregnancy, your body changes shape to accommodate carrying another person. This results in stretch marks and weight gain.
Unfortunately, these changes don’t immediately disappear after childbirth. For some women, this condition persists for a year or more after giving birth. It’s possible for your belly to subside after giving birth, but it requires time and dedication.
The first question that comes to mind for many women experiencing a sagging belly is how and when to get rid of it. This article discusses various treatments, both surgical and non-surgical, to reduce the appearance of your belly. To address your womb issues, schedule a consultation with the body contouring specialists at Maya Medical Clinic in Istanbul.
What causes mummy tummy?
During pregnancy, the skin around the abdomen stretches to accommodate the growing baby. These changes, which are necessary for the baby’s development, can have lasting effects on a woman’s body and can lead to what is commonly known as “mummy belly“.
Common causes of prolapsed mummy tummy after pregnancy are as follows:
Diastasis recti
Diastasis recti occurs when the abdominal muscles separate along the midline, creating a prominent gap. It can cause the abdomen to protrude outwards and create a bulging appearance around it, and can also increase the risk of hernia and other complications.
Loose skin
Another factor that causes mummy belly is the loss of skin elasticity. During pregnancy, your abdomen may lose its elasticity as it grows and stretches. After birth, the skin may have difficulty regaining its former firmness and shape. This can lead to a loose and saggy appearance.
Stubborn fat deposits
In addition, stubborn fatty tissues that accumulate around the belly is a common problem that many women experience after pregnancy. Despite diet and exercise, these fatty deposits can be difficult to get rid of, making it even more difficult to achieve a firm and aesthetic tummy after childbirth.
How can I get rid of mum tum?
The process of restoring the body after pregnancy is one of the challenges many women face. In particular, the so-called ‘mummy tummy’ refers to laxity and fat in the abdominal area. Fortunately, it is possible to improve this appearance with healthy lifestyle changes and targeted exercise.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet
A healthy and balanced diet is crucial for reducing abdominal fat. Consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps burn fat around the abdomen. Nutrition plays a critical role not only in weight loss but also in supporting the body’s recovery process.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol causes inflammation in the body and causes fat around the belly, creating bloating, which can increase the appearance of ‘Mum Tum’. Limiting alcohol intake reduces this bloating and prevents abdominal fat accumulation.
Do targeted exercises
Doing exercises that strengthen the abdominal muscles not only tightens them but also helps with overall body contouring. Movements such as sit-ups, pilates and yoga contribute to the recovery of the body and abdominal area after pregnancy. However, it is important to consult a specialist before starting your exercise programme and proceed safely.
What are the best mum tum exercises?
Pelvic tilts
Pelvic tilts target the lower abdominal muscles, helping to tighten the core and improve posture. Performed while lying on your back, this exercise involves bending your knees and rolling your hips slightly forward or back. It’s a simple yet effective way to start strengthening your post-pregnancy core.
Plank
Plank strengthens the abdominal muscles by working the entire body. This exercise, performed with a straight body, is ideal for reducing the appearance of a “mummy tummy” and reshaping your torso. Get on all fours with your arms bent at the elbows and your back straight. While planks are a valuable exercise, if you have diastasis recti, they can worsen the condition by further separating the muscles. Therefore, planks should only be performed for fat loss and overall toning.
Bicycle crunches
Bicycle crunches target the entire core. These exercises mimic the motion of cycling, helping to burn belly fat and strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles.
Leg lifts
Leg lifts, which involve lying on your back and raising your legs to a 90-degree angle and then slowly lowering them, help target the lower abdominal area, which many women desire to tone and define after pregnancy.
Mountain climbers and Bridges
Mountain climbers work the legs and abs by incorporating a climbing motion and increasing cardiovascular activity, which helps burn calories. Lying on your back in a bridge exercise, lifting your hips upwards, strengthens the hips, back, and abdominals.
Russian twists
This exercise targets the oblique muscles and helps slim down the waist. Sitting with your knees bent, twisting your torso from side to side, engages the abdominals. Russian twists are excellent for shaping the waist and reducing the appearance of a “mommy belly.”
By doing these exercises regularly and combining them with a healthy diet, you can make a difference in your abdominal area. However, it’s important to consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.
What are the surgical procedures for mum tum?
Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a highly effective surgical procedure for the problem of loose skin and separated abdominal muscles. This surgery involves removing loose excess skin in the abdomen and tightening the abdominal muscles. The result is a more defined and flatter abdomen that better reflects the pre-pregnancy shape of the body.
The recovery process after tummy tuck surgery usually takes 6-8 weeks. During the healing process, you should wear a compression garment to protect your abdomen and accelerate healing. It is important to avoid heavy exercise for 6-8 weeks after surgery to avoid putting pressure on your incisions.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that improves the contours of the body by targeting stubborn fatty tissues in the abdominal area. If you do not have loose abdominal muscles, excess skin or loose skin problems, liposuction can be an ideal solution for those who just want to get rid of fatty tissues. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and helps to achieve a more shaped appearance by removing fat from the abdominal area.
The recovery process after liposuction is usually quick, most patients can return to normal life within 3-4 weeks. However, you will need to wear a surgical garment after the procedure to prevent swelling and fluid accumulation. By following your surgeon’s recommendations, you can speed up the healing process and achieve the best results.
However, as with any surgical procedure, it is important to consult with a specialist and assess your personal situation before implementation.
Mummy makeover
Mummy makeover is a comprehensive surgical approach to correct the changes that occur in the body after childbirth. This procedure, commonly known as ‘Mummy Makeover’, aims to provide a holistic transformation by combining procedures such as tummy tuck, breast augmentation or breast lift, liposuction. It targets loose skin, sagging skin or excess fat in different parts of the body after pregnancy and childbirth.
Mummy aesthetics is designed individually and which procedures will be applied is determined according to your individual needs. It offers a suitable solution for problems such as laxity in the abdominal area and sagging in the breast area. If you have more than one problem, it is possible to perform these procedures at the same time. However, if the procedures are combined, the healing process may take several months and you may need extra support such as childcare.
What is the best way to get rid of mum tum quickly?
If you are looking for a faster and more effective solution for changes in the abdominal area after pregnancy, surgical interventions may be one of the best options. Procedures such as tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction and mummy makeover offer an effective solution to restore the loss of tone and strength in the abdominal muscles, remove excess fat and tighten loose skin. These types of surgical procedures correct unwanted images in the abdominal area and provide a quick transformation.
As a result, surgical solutions to get rid of ‘Mummy Belly’ are among the most suitable options, especially for those who want fast and lasting results. However, consulting a specialist before deciding on any surgical intervention ensures a safe and effective result.
Schedule a consultation for Mummy Tummy with Maya Medical
Schedule a consultation with the board-certified plastic surgeons of Maya Medical Clinic in Istanbul to dramatically improve the appearance of your stomach by removing your mummy tummy.
Maya Medical will use its deep skill and expertise to create a tailored treatment plan specifically designed to achieve a flatter and more defined abdomen and help you see the aesthetic transformation you deserve.
