Q: I delivered a baby 7 months ago. I have stretch marks, which are fading but the problem is my soft abdominal skin that looks horrible when I sit but better when I stand. I don't know if the problem is with the skin or the muscle itself. I was told that the stretch marks wont go away but will the abdominal skin/muscle get firmer with time or will it remain soft? Also, the skin around my abdomen is much darker than the surrounding skin, although it is gradually fading. Is this normal?

A:The colour of the skin is likely to improve with time. The laxity of skin is unlikely to improve and if it persists, it can be corrected by plastic surgery (abdominoplasty). You should complete your family before going in for this operation.