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How Do I Fix a Sagging Stomach?

A. Pasbjerg
A. Pasbjerg

A sagging stomach can be a problem for people who have recently lost a large amount of weight, particularly if it occurs rapidly, or for women who have recently finished a pregnancy. If you have a sagging stomach, there are a number of methods you can try to fix it. One step you can easily take at home is to do exercises that strengthen the stomach muscles. You can also improve the tone of the skin on your belly by moisturizing and exfoliating it, and improve its elasticity by eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and not smoking. If these home treatments are not enough, you may want to consider medical treatments such as collagen injections or surgery.

Exercises that target the underlying muscles are often effective for tightening a sagging stomach. Sit-ups or crunches can help tone the stomach muscles, smoothing and tightening them, which will in turn help reduce sagging skin. If you are not accustomed to these types of exercises, start slowly and build up the number of repetitions you do over time as your muscle strength increases.

Those who recently lost a significant amount of weight may have a sagging stomach.
Those who recently lost a significant amount of weight may have a sagging stomach.

You can also improve the appearance of a sagging stomach by applying creams, lotions, or oils that tone the skin. A good moisturizing lotion or cream can make skin more elastic, and using one that contains vitamin C can promote collagen production. Essential oils like coconut or almond can also moisturize, improve circulation to the area, and tighten loose skin. Using an exfoliating product on belly skin can also stimulate circulation and promote new cell growth.

Cigarette smoking can contribute to the breakdown of stomach skin collagen.
Cigarette smoking can contribute to the breakdown of stomach skin collagen.

It is also important to be careful of what you are eating when trying to fix a sagging stomach. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and omega-3 fatty acids to promote skin health, and try to avoid oily, fried, or processed foods. Drinking plenty of water can help flush toxins from the body and keep skin looking hydrated and firm. Avoid cigarette smoking, which can contribute to the breakdown of stomach skin collagen.

Sit-ups can help a person tone their stomach muscles.
Sit-ups can help a person tone their stomach muscles.

Home remedies can help in many cases, but if they do not or the results are not enough, you may want to speak to a doctor about medical options. Collagen injections can provide temporary improvement, but will likely need to be repeated every few months to continue to see results. If you have a significant amount of sagging skin, you may need to consider a surgical procedure called an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck.

Discussion Comments

discographer

@donasmrs-- I agree that surgery should avoided but sometimes it's necessary, especially when nothing else works.

SarahGen

@donasmrs-- Congrats on your weight loss! It sounds like you're doing great. As long as you don't injure yourself or feel pain, you can do as many crunches as you possibly can.

I do recommend weighted crunches instead of regular crunches though. Weighted crunches are where you hold a weight on your chest as you do the crunches. These are more effective at tightening the stomach muscles. You can start out small and increase the weights over time.

Eating a healthy diet with lots of vitamins, exercising regularly and getting a massage every couple of weeks will all help reduce sagging. Do your best to avoid gaining weight in the future because if you keep gaining and losing weight, the sagging will become worse.

donasmrs

I lost a little over forty pounds and there is some sagging under my stomach. I've started doing exercises to tighten the area but how long does it usually take to see results from the exercises? I started with 50 crunches a day and now I'm doing 200 a day. Should I be doing more?

I really don't want to have surgery, so I'm praying that exercises will be enough to solve this problem.

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    • Those who recently lost a significant amount of weight may have a sagging stomach.
      By: jedi-master
      Those who recently lost a significant amount of weight may have a sagging stomach.
    • Cigarette smoking can contribute to the breakdown of stomach skin collagen.
      By: Sergii Figurnyi
      Cigarette smoking can contribute to the breakdown of stomach skin collagen.
    • Sit-ups can help a person tone their stomach muscles.
      By: javy
      Sit-ups can help a person tone their stomach muscles.
    • To help counter a sagging stomach, eat a diet that is rich in lean protein as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.
      By: ruigsantos
      To help counter a sagging stomach, eat a diet that is rich in lean protein as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.
    • A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help shrink a sagging stomach.
      By: tashka2000
      A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help shrink a sagging stomach.
    • Drinking plenty of water helps keep skin moisturized and firm.
      By: julenochek
      Drinking plenty of water helps keep skin moisturized and firm.