Hey guys! I did not want to post this under the "Room to Rave & Rant" forum since I am not too certain it actually applies to that particular forum.

I am an all in one J-Poucher (8/1/06) and have been relatively happy with the results thus far. My one 'gripe' if you will is my belly. I have a little belly on top of my belly. I guess the fat kind of just sagged down there and has simply come to lie the entire length of my scar (3 1/2") above my belly button.

This sagging belly fat is driving me mad. I hit the gym four to five times a week and play in two ice hockey leagues. Crunches galore. I tend to stick to carby type foods since they more or less help my pouch.

Anyone have the same type of belly problem? It is the least of my worries since my pouch has adapted very well, nevertheless, still a worry.

Thanks, and keep up the great work on this site!

Brian

Brian:

I just complted the one step pouch on June 5. So far Its been a month and eating is slow and hard to figure out. What foods did you find easy to digest? Not many one steps on the board so info for me is harder to come by.

Rick

I have that too and it will not go away. I look pregnant because I'm skinny everywhere else but I have this huge stomach right above my jeans. I feel for you, and I don't think theres any way to get rid of it. I'm thinking of getting lipo once I turn 18.

I have it too. Really annoying. I agree with Chelsea - I think lipo is the only way of getting rid of it. However, having had infections after surgery, I've decided I don't want lipo and will just have to learn to accept the bulge. My grandfather was operated years and years ago (like, decades....)and he had the same bulge. He had polyps, and had part of his colon removed. I think intestinal surgery can leave us a bit mauled.

I have had two cesareans on top of my colectomy. When I was having my colectomy, I asked the surgeon to give me a tummy tuck while she was down there! She didn't get my humor and I didn't get my tummy tuck. I also have done hundreds of crunches,take Pilates twice a week, lost significant weight and still have the lovely overhang. I guess it just goes with the territory.

hi guys! I too have a nice bulge over where my stoma used to be.. drives me nuts! I was actually told by my massage therapist that it is because there is a bunch of scar tissue underneath. I can feel a tun of scar tissue underneath that and my vertical scar from the colectomy and creation of the jpouch. She said that if i work it twice a day, with vitamin e, and massage deep into the tissue (as much as I can handle) for about 15 minutes each time, that over time it will soften up and flatten out. I don't know if it will work for sure, but I'm certainly willing to give it a shot. I've only been doing it for about a week. too soon to tell if there will be results.... hope this helps!!
Cheers!
Wen

I was told to massage vitamin e oil on my SCARS, not scar tissue to get rid of them. I don't really see how vitamin e would affect the subcutaneous scar tissue, mainly because we have so many defense barriers in our skin, the oil wouldnt get past the first few layers. I don't know, maybe jan could clear that up...

I think the reason why we have this pooch is because during the surgeries our abdominal muscles were cut, and since this is so traumatic, they just cannot support like they used to.

I just read an article about reducing the belly fat/increasing the underlying muscles and the author said crunches will not do it. He advised we tighten the abdominal muscles by "sucking it in" and aiming our naval towards our spine. Hold it and then release. Remember to breathe, he said. Do not hold your breath. He said this can be done in any position and repeated throughout the day. He also advised Kegels. So, both exercises can be accomplished without anyone knowing what we are up to. I haven't a clue as to whether or not it will work, but it can't hurt.

The sucking in method really works! My friend's father was taught the technique in the Canadian Air Force as part of their fitness training. He had the most impressive gut! Very trim. It's hard work; breathing as you hold the muscles in full tension is demanding. To belly dance properly, you have to do the same thing, and you can't get the movements right unless you suck your belly in constantly. I did belly dancing until my final pre-op flare, and I miss it. When I can finally get my aching muscles and joints under control, I want to start up again as I know it'll be good for the gut muscles. I doubt the bulge will go, but it's good for your belly and back otherwise.

hey there.. just to clerify.. the vitamin e is just to help to provide less friction on the surface when you're massaging.. not to get rid of the scar tissue... if you work the scar tissue repeadedly, over time, it should help break it up... at least a little..thx wen