For moms who recently gave birth and are dealing with a loose tummy or sagging skin, don’t worry – this is normal! After pregnancy, the body naturally starts to recover within 6–8 weeks, although it may take longer depending on your body and how you take care of yourself.
For some moms, however, the tummy doesn’t go back to normal even after a year. Don’t stress – let’s understand why this happens and explore ways to fix it.
Why does the tummy become loose after giving birth?
- Uterus expansion: During pregnancy, your uterus expands to support your growing baby. This makes your abdominal muscles stretch. After giving birth, the uterus shrinks back to its normal size, but the abdominal muscles don’t immediately recover, leaving your tummy looking loose. Recovery takes time and effort.
- Fat storage: The body naturally stores fat in the tummy area to provide energy for breastfeeding. Plus, being less active during pregnancy causes fat buildup. This is why your tummy may still look big and your weight may stay up even after childbirth.
- Skin stretching: Collagen and elastin fibers in your skin stretch during pregnancy. This stretching weakens the skin, causing stretch marks and sagging in the tummy area.
Ways to reduce a loose tummy after giving birth
- Exercise: New moms should start with light activities recommended by their doctor. Once your baby stops breastfeeding, you can do more intense exercises like core muscle training (e.g., planks or bridges) to tighten your tummy muscles and reduce fat.
- Healthy eating: If your tummy still feels loose after a while, pay attention to your diet. Eat balanced meals, reduce sugar and carbs, and avoid high-fat foods. Drink plenty of water to boost your metabolism. This not only helps firm your tummy but also improves overall health.
- Fat reduction (Liposuction): Liposuction removes stubborn fat that’s hard to lose with exercise. However, this procedure has risks like infections or fluid buildup and is costly. It’s not suitable for people with certain medical conditions.
- Skin treatments (Non-surgical): For moms with little time for recovery or exercise, non-surgical options like Thermage can help. Thermage is a safe, non-invasive treatment that firms sagging skin without surgery or downtime, so you can quickly return to your daily activities and take care of your baby.
How Thermage helps reduce a loose tummy
The main cause of a loose tummy is weak collagen in the skin. Thermage is a popular method that stimulates collagen production, tightens sagging skin, and reduces extra fat. This improves skin structure and provides long-lasting firmness.
Thermage uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to restore skin without downtime. Moms can return to their routines right after the procedure. This treatment can also be used on other areas like the forehead, cheeks, chin, neck, arms, thighs, or hips to restore firmness all over the body.
How long does Thermage last?
A Thermage session takes about 1.5–2 hours. The device uses cooling technology to reduce pain, so you only feel slight warmth or mild discomfort. You can resume daily activities immediately after the session. Results are fully visible within 1–2 months and can last up to 1 year.
How to take care of yourself after Thermage
- Moisturize regularly: After Thermage, your skin may feel dry due to the treatment and numbing cream used. Apply lotion or moisturizer daily to maintain hydration.
- Use anti-irritation cream: Some irritation might occur in treated areas. Doctors will provide cream to apply lightly twice a day. Mild soreness is normal and should improve within 2–4 weeks.
- Avoid sun exposure: UV rays can delay collagen repair. If you had Thermage on your tummy, which is usually covered, this won’t be a major concern. But if you plan to go outdoors (e.g., to the beach or for exercise), wear protective clothing and use sunscreen regularly.
Is Thermage safe for breastfeeding moms?
Thermage is non-invasive and only uses radiofrequency energy to target the skin. It doesn’t affect milk production. However, if you’re worried, you can wait until your baby stops breastfeeding. During this time, your body will naturally recover, and you can consider treatments when you feel ready.
For moms whose babies are no longer breastfeeding, Thermage can be combined with other treatments like Meso Fat to enhance fat loss. After the treatment, regular exercise and a healthy diet can help maintain your results. There are some useful tips you might find helpful. Feel free to check them out herehere!
For extra help managing food cravings, consider using tools like BeautyMeal or weight-loss pens. These can help adjust eating habits, reduce snacking, and improve your body’s metabolism, preventing fat buildup.
If you’re struggling with a loose tummy and want to explore treatments, visit any of our 5 MEGA CLINIC locations near you:
- MEGA CLINIC, aesthetic clinic, Bangkok
- MEGA CLINIC, aesthetic clinic, Nonthaburi
- MEGA CLINIC, aesthetic clinic, Lad Prao
- MEGA CLINIC, aesthetic clinic, Rangsit, Pathum Thani
- MEGA CLINIC, aesthetic clinic, Pak Nam (Srinagarindra)
For questions or to book an appointment, contact us via LINE Official: @megaclinic (with @). You can also click the green button below to chat with us directly.
