Question:
Do any post ops have excersise ideas to flatten the abs and hips?

Anyone have any good excersises for the abs? Even though i have lost 160lbs and i am doing crunches and weight trianing my abs are not flattening. I have gained a few pounds and it is in the stomach and hip,butt area> If anyone has some good excersises to reduce these areas i would love to hear them. This is really annoying me and i am getting concerned i am going to end up looking pregnant again when i'm not.    — Tammy N. (posted on May 22, 2004)

May 23, 2004
Well, I have some bad news for you, unfortunately. Your abs may never flatten. Your lower abdominal muscles separate when you carry a lot of excess weight in your abdomen and/or are pregnant. You can remove the fat over them with diet and tone them with crunches and other exercise, but you will still most likely protrude. I have a body fat of 17% and still have a "gut". Surgery is the only way to correct this problem, so that's why so many opt for tummy tucks with muscle repair - I'm hopefully having mine in October. Keep up the good work with the exercise - stability ball crunches are fantastic for toning core muscles.
   — Rachael B.

May 23, 2004
You "Can Not" loose 160 pounds and expect exercise to to flatten abs/hips/butt, only plastic surgery and a good PS will help in these areas. Like anything else, every year of age with gravity included breaks down the body. Throw in having babies and weight gain and it becomes worse. Loosing weight does not make these muscles contract back but a little. Exercise will help but only that...Help!
   — Hazel S.

May 23, 2004
Agree with hazel, nothing is gonna thighten that. I has a LBL on May 11th and it did just that, once I am cleared again to exercise in 4-6 wks, I plan to take advantage of those ab exercises so i can fine tune my new 6 pack tummy! Heather Open RNY 8-15-02, LBL 5-11-04 305/175/178
   — heathercross

May 23, 2004
There are a few things you can 'tighten' up the muscles, but surgery may be the final remedy for a really tight package. In the meantime, the ab. crunches, in the forward sitting position, and also alternating using the same ab machine, but in a side sitting position, but leaning over left and right in alternating sets will strengthen the side muscles also. Also, the torso swings, in varying positions on the machine will tighten up the Obliquus externus abdominus muscles. If no machine is available, the reclining, leg raised crunches with the hands held behind the head works well. Situps are always a good dependable standby, also. Incline leg raises also do well. If you have a leg raising section at your workout location, lifted leg raises and lateral leg raises really work the rectus abdominis, the obliquus externus abdominus, the quadriceps, rectus femoris and the tensor fascie latae, all very good for support. Dumbell side bends and if a 'roman chair' is available, the roman chair side bends give these a terriffic workout.
   — track