Damaged, hurting Abs -- The Bean?

I am an abdominal "worst-case" scenario. I have some good cardio and endurance activities in my routine, but I've failed a couple of times with core strengtening and ab work. I had lap band surgery in August of 2004 and since that point, I've had six more abdominal surgeries. That spelled seven lap or open abdominal proceeedures in 14 months. I also have "mad" redundant skin issues in my stomach and arms. I had recurrent pregnancy loss (Five pregnancies before wls) and I've had recurrent hernias since wls (six hernia-related sugeries include two for a staph-infected wound), but my ab issues and hernias aren't caused by wls. Today, I plan to put "The Bean" into the mix. Was wondering if any of you folks have tried the Bean or advice from anyone struggling with core strengtening. I will be blogging, posting pictures of my ab/core adventures and I hope to find some solutions I can share. Onward! Frances

Hi Frances! Please excuse a silly question, but what's the bean?

Hiya Eric The Bean is like an exercise ball, but it's ergonomically shaped to fit our lumbar curve and provide some support. Instead of being round, it's shaped like a bean.                                    Anyhoo, I still think I need some extra help to assist my abdominal muscles in keeping my guts in place. When I do a crunch, it looks like a weird alien is popping out the center of my core. I will consult SupaDoc on this issue since he's a bariatric and hernia specialist. I hope there's some answer for me because I'm afraid I won't be a good candidate for plastics because there's little I can do to work my core. I have been happy turning the bean over and doing stretches and this cool exercise call "The Superman." Hey, as the cable guy would say, just "Get'ur Done!" What's your core strengthening routine? I'm at the OH Lexington event. Last night's masquerade ball will be couting as 3 workouts, for sure. Onward! Frances

Ok, I've got this BodyByJake thing. I can do 50 straight, 40 at a slight twist of the seat to the right, and 30 to the left -- as I fatigue. I do that before my 40 minute run/walk, and after. Something like that at least. Ab use = abuse. Now, did Mr. Bean ever promote the Bean?

Ab use/abuse=sneezing for me. I hope this isn't a silly question, who's Mr. Bean? Back to the OH par-- ...I mean convention. Great organization, huh? Frances

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Mr.+Bean&btnG=Google+Se archc

Ah, Mr. Bean ...                                                   I need to check that guy out. Apparently, I've been living in a cave for 20 years.